Nelson is a member of CCJ’s Board of Trustees and was a member of the Council’s National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice.
Melissa Nelson leads more than 300 attorneys, staff, and investigators as Florida’s state attorney in Jacksonville. Her tenure has featured a strong focus on smart justice initiatives, including an effort to expand diversion and the use of civil citations for juveniles to reduce recidivism. Nelson began her career as an assistant state attorney, prosecuting cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital homicides. She also worked at the international law firm McGuireWoods.
