Thursday, June 9, 2011
Page 8
On the Campaign Trail
Five Candidates Seeking District Attorney Post in First Open Contest in 48 Years Set Forth Views
For the first time since 1964, there is an open race for the post of Los Angeles County district attorney. There are six announced candidates—all of them members of the DA’s Office. Considerable time remains for others to enter the contest; the period for filing nominating papers does not begin until Feb. 13, 2012. However, serious fundraising has already begun on the part of some of the announced contenders, and it appears unlikely that last-minute candidacies will be declared.
Likely to join the fray soon is Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who has formed an exploratory committee. A “Draft Trutanich” website has been mounted by “a coalition of law enforcement officers, public safety advocates and community activists.”
All six declared candidates were sent a questionnaire. Deputy District Attorney Steve Ipsen responded belatedly.
Responses to four of the eight questions that were posed appear below, unedited. The balance of the responses, from all six candidates, will appear subsequently.
BOBBY GRACE*
Deputy District Attorney
In what ways would you change the approach of the District Attorney’s Office?
The ultimate approach of the District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice in a manner that is ethical and brings dignity to the process for all concerned. I would not seek to change that. New initiatives that I would seek to implement would include programs that reduce recidivism. This will include reducing truancy, increasing alternative sentencing options, and working with the court system to increase the number of drug courts in Los Angeles County
What programs or policies would you keep as is?
There are several policies and programs that I would seek to keep in place because they have proven to be very successful. I would keep the current Three Strikes policy because it has reduced crime while administering justice in a fair and ethical manner. Violent crime and overall crime has fallen in Los AngelesCounty in the past five years. This is due in large part to the current policy of vertically prosecuting gang crimes, family violence, fraud and corruption cases. I would also keep open our environmental crimes unit. If budget cuts forced us to close that unit I would have those specially trained deputies available to vertically prosecute environmental crimes in addition to their regular case load.
Are you a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, and what factors caused your decision to join or not join?
I am a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) and a duly elected member of the board of directors. I joined the ADDA because I believe in the right of public employees to collectively bargain economic issues. I also believe that there should be an employee group that can effectively administer some key functions for deputy district attorneys. There should be a group that can raise money for deputy district attorneys when they are in distress. There should be an organization that will honor the achievements and sacrifices that our lawyers make every day. Finally there should be a support unit that can provide resources to deputies who face employee relations issues..
Are you willing to make a pledge that, if elected, you would serve no more than two terms?
I would not pledge to serve only two terms in office. I believe that those who choose to seek political office should not make promises that are inconsistent with leadership. Circumstances may demand a consistency in vision and leadership of office should the voters choose to return that leader to the helm.
ALAN JACKSON
Deputy District Attorney
In what ways would you change the approach of the District Attorney’s Office?
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office represents the tip of the spear when it comes to crime fighting in California. As the largest prosecutorial agency in the country, this office should lead the charge in progressive and innovative methods of combating and punishing the criminal element in our communities. As District Attorney, I will embrace a dual agenda focusing equally on 1) reinvigorating Line Operations, and 2) enhancing targeted prosecutions in Special Operations.
Line Operations must be prepared to handle the influx of new felons that will populate our streets following Gov. Brown’s Realignment Program, which proposes to systematically release tens of thousands of state prisoners back into our communities. Enhanced training for deputy district attorneys, as well as a refined and consistent policy regarding the treatment of these parolees, will be essential in order to maintain control over crime levels in Los Angeles. I will ensure that if an early-released prisoner continues to commit crimes he or she will be prosecuted fairly, but swiftly and certainly.
Additionally, I will work to bolster Special Operations by reinforcing the Hardcore Gang Division, strengthening both the Public Integrity Division and the Justice System Integrity Division, expanding the High Tech Crimes Division, and refocusing on the Environmental Crimes Division. These targeted prosecutions are essential to promote confidence in our public officials and to address quality of life issues in our neighborhoods, in our schools, and on our streets.
What programs or policies would you keep as is?
I will maintain the office’s current Three Strikes policy. Under this policy, the District Attorney’s Office will presumptively seek a third strike sentence of 25 years to life only when at least one of the charged offenses is a serious or violent felony (or when certain high level drug sales and/or manufacture enhancements are alleged).
It is vital to the integrity of this office that the power of the Three Strikes law be used judiciously, with an eye toward avoiding abuse in the form of disproportionately harsh sentences for relatively minor offenses. The current Three Strikes policy addresses these concerns and has been proven effective for the past decade.
Are you a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, and what factors caused your decision to join or not join?
I am not a dues-paying member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys. While organized unions and bargaining units play an important role in our society to protect the work force, I personally have not been compelled seek representation from within the District Attorney’s office. My experience has been that the existing infrastructure provides the tools necessary to voice concerns over workplace, salary and benefits issues.
Are you willing to make a pledge that, if elected, you would serve no more than two terms?
My singular focus is on becoming District Attorney of Los Angeles County and, if elected, I will humbly serve at the pleasure of the voters. In my view, public service is an honor and the people of Los Angeles have complete authority over their elected public safety representatives. It should rightly be they who decide whether the District Attorney deserves to be re-elected. But to be sure, however, I will fulfill my obligation to complete the job I am elected to do.
JACQUELYN LACEY
Chief Deputy District Attorney
In what ways would you change the approach of the District Attorney’s Office?
I would look for additional ways to address crime committed in cyberspace. I believe more prosecutors should be equipped to address the increasing number of crimes committed using the Internet.
I would expand the use of alternative sentencing courts for non-serious, nonviolent offenses. (i.e. drug, mental health, veterans, re-entry courts.)
I would aggressively look for ways to decrease our department’s cost to the county by increasing our efficiency through the use of technology.
I would mandate regular training on the office’s Brady Policy.
I would mandate regular leadership training for all managers in our office.
What programs or policies would you keep as is?
I would continue to mandate expert vertical prosecution—that is, one prosecutor handles a case from start to finish—of gang, domestic violence, sex crimes, child abuse, stalking, elder abuse, etc.
I would continue to enforce the current policy on prosecuting three-strikes cases with regard to non-serious, nonviolent offenses.
I would maintain the Public Integrity Division.
I would continue the policies and practices in effect today on the prosecution of animal cruelty cases,
I would continue to keep communication and problem-solving vehicles in place with our fellow justice partners.
Are you a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, and what factors caused your decision to join or not join?
I am not a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys. I am ineligible because of my assigned management position.
Are you willing to make a pledge that, if elected, you would serve no more than two terms?
Yes.
DANETTE E. MEYERS
Deputy District Attorney
In what ways would you change the approach of the District Attorney’s Office?
I would change the approach of the District Attorney’s Office in the following ways:
The District Attorney’s Office is badly in need of reform. Millions of taxpayers’ dollars are being spent on outside counsel to defend the office against lawsuits filed by its own employees. Retaliatory transfers of Deputy District Attorneys continue today in disregard of a recent federal injunction against such policies. [e.g. Deputy District Attorney Eric Perrodin] Personnel decisions are being made for political reasons and the District Attorney and two key aides are defendants in an unfair labor practices lawsuit in federal court. I would end this culture and put the focus on reforming the juvenile justice system, cracking down on environmental crime, hiring and promoting the best qualified deputies and putting the serious criminals in jail.
Under my administration, Head Deputies would have significant input in choosing their Assistants’ and in the management of their respective offices including the assignment of lawyers to specific cases and courtrooms.
I would reestablish our relationship and increase our involvement with the California District Attorneys Association. Deputy District Attorneys would be encouraged to join CDAA and participate in their training seminars. Moreover, our senior lawyers would be encouraged to lecture at CDAA seminars and programs.
I would implement a fair and equitable process for promotions and assignments to special units.
I would make sure Deputy District Attorneys are equipped with the essential tools to effectively prosecute cases.
I would redirect the office’s focus to trying serious cases and providing real training and mentoring that will improve the trial skills of all Deputy District Attorneys.
What programs or policies would you keep as is?
I would continue with the current three strikes policy, as well as several other programs that currently exist. These include, but are not limited to, the Bad Check Restitution Program, Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Victim Impact Program (VIP), Project LEAD and most of the current special units. I would also implement modifications to many of the Office’s policies and programs.
Are you a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, and what factors caused your decision to join or not join?
I was a member and on the Board of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for many years. I served as the treasurer of the Association for several years in the 1990’s. I recently rejoined the Association because I believe working people, including Deputy District Attorneys have a right to representation, collective bargaining and the right to stand against the kind of unfair labor practices for which the current District Attorney and two key aides are being sued.
Are you willing to make a pledge that, if elected, you would serve no more than two terms?
No.
MARIO TRUJILLO
Deputy District Attorney
In what ways would you change the approach of the District Attorney’s Office?
As the District Attorney of Los Angeles County, I will continue to focus on punishing and incarcerating violent offenders. Public Safety is non-negotiable! However, as the leader of the largest prosecutorial agency in the world I will also take a proactive and innovative approach to working with the stakeholders in the community to find ways of diverting low level offenders from the system and putting them on a true path to rehabilitation. While District Attorney Steve Cooley has done an effective job in enforcing the prosecution of crime, he was particularly instrumental in implementing policy, specifically his stance on the “three strikes law,” that demonstrates that we do not have to lock everyone up and throw away the key in order to effectively protect the public. Over the last ten years, the crime rate in Los Angeles County has gone down, but times have changed, and the budget crisis has impacted how policing and the prosecution of crime is conducted – less police officers, less prosecutors coupled with jails/prisons releasing inmates- the office has to adapt and modify our approach in how we use our resources to continue to focus on violent crime. As a Deputy District Attorney, I see our criminal justice system at work and I am proud of my fellow prosecutors and the work we do. Still, when 70% of convicted criminals in California return to the streets and continue to engage in crime-there is more to be done.
It is no secret that our prisons and jail are overcrowded. A majority of inmates sentenced to county jail are serving 10% of their sentence and we are under mandate from the United States Supreme Court to release thousands of prisoners back into Los Angeles County with little or no resources for us to effectively supervise them. This presents an obvious question – If the United States Supreme Court and the Governor of California, under his realignment plan, do not believe that these thousands of prisoners and inmates are dangerous enough to keep locked up, then perhaps our resources were ill placed in being used to send them to jail and/or prison in the first place? If the jails and the prisons are not going to hold those convicted then why participate in a charade in which judges hand down sentences requiring specific time when we all know that said incarceration is not going to take place. And yet, we have been doing this for years. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. It is time that we accept the premise that sentencing low level misdemeanants to phantom jail time and labeling people that participate in certain non-victim specific conduct as criminals and putting them into the system is just perpetuating the problem. As the next District Attorney for Los Angeles County my approach will be to fix the revolving door of justice that is largely concentrated around low level misdemeanors that demand valuable resources that should be dedicated elsewhere in the office.
As District Attorney my approach will be to continue to serve the public, in particular the victims of crime that depend on us and look to us for justice, and to find ways of making sure our reduced resources are being used effectively and in the best interest of public safety. As the next DA I will bring the different stakeholders from the community – from Education, Social Services, Mental Health, Community Organizations, Probation, Parole, the Legislature and Law Enforcement to work on this approach to prosecution.
Some specifics -now that our rate of violent crime has dropped once again, I want to reassess the resources that we are devoting to white collar crime, especially real estate related fraud and identity theft. Also, my goal is to expand the diversion programs that address non violent juvenile crime so that we can identify and address the root of criminal behavior that is driving thousands of our children in to the criminal justice system.
The office needs to be brought into the 21st century. We need to work closely with the courts and law enforcement agencies to incorporate systems such as video arraignments, on-line advisement and case status and court-less misdemeanor arraignments and continuances. We must be innovative in creating programs that will reduce the number of Deputy District attorneys handling minor and non-victim specific violations so that they can dedicate more time to the cases where the public and our victims are better served.
What programs or policies would you keep as is?
Currently, there are policies, programs and units in place within the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office that I feel have been effective. Among these is the current office policy on “Three Strikes.” In addition, I believe that specialized and collaborative courts have been successful in addressing the social issues underlying certain types of offenses. If elected, I would encourage continued participation in and the expansion of the Graffiti Abatement Program, Veterans Court, Drug Court, Dual Diagnosis Court and Domestic Violence Court, just to name a few. Furthermore, the Victim Impact Program, Animal Cruelty Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Environmental Crimes Unit, Identity Theft Unit and Public Integrity Unit are just a few of the units that have been successful in seeking justice and prosecuting specific types of crime.
Are you a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, and what factors caused your decision to join or not join?
I am presently not a member of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys. If elected the next District Attorney, I welcome the opportunity to sit down with any collective bargaining unit that represents the employees of our office. Furthermore, with or without association, the District Attorney’s office needs to be sensitive to and attentive of issues brought forth by its Deputies and support staff regarding the workplace.
Are you willing to make a pledge that, if elected, you would serve no more than two terms?
Right now the focus is the one term I am running for. That is the goal. If I am elected I will serve for as long as I am effective in assisting the citizens of Los Angeles County. To speculate about subsequent terms would be presumptuous on my part, but if I am fortunate enough to serve this term and subsequent terms were available and necessary for me to assist and protect the citizens of LA County, I would do it.
*Deputy District Attorney Bobby Grace's responses, apparently lost in the course of e-mail transmission, were re-sent to the MetNews after the June 9 edition was printed. Though published in the June 10 edition, they are included here, with the others, for convenience of the reader.
Copyright 2011, Metropolitan News Company