Michael Craig, County Attorney • Email
General Office: 863-534-6730 • Email
330 West Church Street • Bartow, FL 33830 • Map
Hours of Operation: M-F 8AM - 5PM
The County Attorney is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and is responsible for providing timely legal advice to the Board, County Department personnel, and other Constitutional Officers on an as-needed basis.
The County Attorney selects and supervises the Deputy County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys who assist the County Attorney in responding to requests for legal services; litigating claims filed against the County in State and Federal Court including eminent domain, personal injury, and breach of contract cases; attending mediation and arbitration sessions; drafting Ordinances, Resolutions, contracts, inter-local government agreements and a host of other legal documents; reviewing and litigating Petitions for Attorney’s Fees and Costs, handling mortgage foreclosures and bankruptcy petitions and performing legal research,
The County Attorney represents the Board of County Commissioners during all public hearings attended by the Board, and the Deputy County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys advise various other public boards including but not limited to: the Code Enforcement Board, Planning Commission, Tourist Development Council, Board of Adjustment and Contractor Licensing Board.
Please note that the County Attorney's Office cannot, by law, represent or give legal advice to citizens of Polk County. For legal representation, you should contact either your own private attorney, Florida Rural Legal services at (863) 688-7376, Legal Aid at (863) 519-5663 or the Florida Bar at (850) 561-5600 or visit their website at www.floridabar.org