Serving the Citizens of Pinellas & Pasco Counties
Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Bruce Bartlett has dedicated his life to serving the community through an extensive legal career marked by leadership, professionalism, and commitment to justice. He completed his Bachelor of Science in 1976 at the University of South Florida, followed by earning his Juris Doctor in 1978 from Stetson University College of Law.
Wanting to immediately use his legal education to give back to the community, Bruce started his career as an Assistant State Attorney in 1979, and quickly rose through the ranks due to his dedication, work ethic, and legal acumen.
By 1992, he became the Chief Assistant State Attorney, a position he held until 2020. During his tenure in those positions, he directly supervised 170 Assistant State Attorneys across Pinellas and Pasco Counties and personally tried hundreds of jury trials, dealing with serious felonies like corruption, shootings of law enforcement officers, and capital murder cases such as the prosecution of serial killer Oba Chandler. Additionally, he prosecuted many Governor’s assignments around the state and has overseen the Grand Jury and indictment process in Pinellas and Pasco counties.
In January 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Bruce Bartlett as State Attorney and on November 8, 2022, he was formally elected to the position by the residents of Pinellas and Pasco County and achieved reelection in 2025 without opposition. In this role, he serves a population of over 1.5 million across the two counties and is responsible for the administration of justice within the Sixth Judicial Circuit. To aid in these efforts, Bruce oversees a staff of over 450 employees, including Assistant State Attorneys, Investigators, and Support Staff.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Bruce has been an influential figure in numerous boards and councils, such as the Juvenile Welfare Board, the Substance Abuse Advisory Board, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.
A respected fixture in the legal community, Bruce has also shared his expertise as a lecturer at Stetson University College of Law and as an instructor at St. Petersburg College Police Academy and Pasco-Hernando Community College Police Academy.
His leadership and service have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero award in 2023, the Spirit of Hope Award from The Beth Dillinger Foundation in 2022, and the Outstanding Professionalism in the Practice of Law Award from the St. Petersburg Bar Association in 2007.
Bruce continues to carry on the tradition for a fair, zealous pursuit of justice that the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office has gained as its reputation.
At home, Bruce and his wife Susan, enjoy spending time with family, as proud parents and grandparents. His life’s work stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the principles of justice, service, and ensuring the community is safe for all who call Pinellas and Pasco County home.
Bachelor of Science, 1976, University of South Florida
Juris Doctor, 1978, Stetson University College of Law
Appointed State Attorney on January 21, 2021 by Governor Ron DeSantis
Chief Assistant State Attorney 1992 – 2020
Division Director for the State Attorney
Assistant State Attorney since 1979
Directly supervised 170 Assistant State Attorneys in Pinellas and Pasco counties, tried over 100 jury trials involving serious felonies such as murder, corruption, and shootings of law enforcement officers
Commissioner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission
Former Lecturer, Stetson University College of Law
Former Instructor, St. Petersburg College
Former Instructor, Pasco-Hernando Community College
Former Board Member, Countywide PAL Program
Pinellas County Bar Association, Past Chairperson – Law Week
Florida Bar Grievance Committee 6-D, Past Chairperson
Judicial Nominating Commission for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Past Chairperson
St. Petersburg Bar Association, Outstanding Professionalism in the Practice of Law Award, 2007
Richard T. Earle Jr. Barney Masterson Inn of Court Award, Demonstrating Highest Degree of Professionalism in the Practice of Law, 2004
Elk Lodge 1224 Prosecutor of the Year, 1994