What does the State’s Attorney DO?!
The State’s Attorney is the county prosecutor. Think of TV shows like “Law & Order” and “CSI.”
I receive cases that have been investigated by the police. I review them to determine what, if any, crimes have been committed. I prepare the cases and present them to the court in writing. I represent the citizens of the county in the courtroom and do so against seasoned professional criminal defense attorneys. I answer motions made by the defense attorneys and argue them before the court. I present cases to juries in trials. I aggressively negotiate appropriate settlements of cases. I argue to the court for the appropriate sentences of individuals. AND I GET RESULTS.
It is very much not a 9 to 5 job. It is not a job where the attorney sits in the chair waiting for the cases to come in. It is an active, dynamic prosecutor’s job. It changes from day to day, hour to hour.
Most of it is out of the limelight. I am on call 24/7/365 to answer questions from police officers and to visit crime scenes in order to get a visual picture of where and how a crime occurred. Regardless of the time of day or night an unattended or suspicious death occurs, I am called to discuss the case and approve removal of the body.
------------------------------------
I have 34 years of experience in the area of criminal law, and proven results. I climbed up the professional ladder in the appropriate way: I graduated from law school and passed the Vermont and Massachusetts bar exams. I clerked in the State’s Attorney’s office in St. Johnsbury, and then got a job as a Deputy State’s Attorney in Franklin County under Ronald Kilburn. When he was appointed a judge, I was appointed the State’s Attorney by the Governor, and was then reelected twice, eventually supervising three Deputy State’s Attorneys as the office grew. After that, I practiced criminal defense for many years before becoming the Grand Isle County State’s Attorney. I know the criminal law from both sides of the table.
I have been repeatedly described by my legal colleagues, victims, defendants, and even by The St. Albans Messenger, as a tough, but fair, prosecutor.
My opponent has zero experience in criminal law, and zero jury trial experience. Without the required specific training and practice, under proper supervision of a professional prosecutor for several years, it is impossible for her to know what the job entails, to make campaign promises with regard to her performance, or to have a “vision” of what the office should be. Electing such an untrained person to this position puts the public safety at risk.
Please give thoughtful consideration to your vote.
Comments