A Five Point Plan for the Erie County District Attorney's Office

I am a professional prosecutor, and I have never before sought public office. For nearly 20 years, I have worked quietly but tirelessly to protect our families and our neighborhoods from criminals. I also have learned what works and what does not work at the District Attorney's Office.

Change in the way the District Attorney's Office operates is needed. For me, change is not a convenient political slogan. I will make real changes, effective changes and immediate changes to the District Attorney's Office.

My principal goal is to make the Erie County District Attorney's Office the most professional and well-respected prosecutors' office in the State of New York. It is a noble goal, and it is an achievable goal. Many of the following changes are based upon what has been successfully practiced in the District Attorney's Office Homicide Bureau, a unit that I have proudly led since 2000.

  1. The number of administrative attorney positions will be reduced, and those prosecutors assigned to administrative duties will be expected to carry an active caseload. As Chief of the Homicide Bureau, I elected to carry a full caseload and try cases in the courtroom instead of spending all of my time behind a desk. This model will be instituted throughout the District Attorney's Office under my administration. All prosecutors, including Bureau Chiefs and the District Attorney, will return to the courtroom and actively represent the citizens of this community.
  2. As an experienced instructor at the national, state and local levels, I firmly believe in continuing education. I will institute an effective training program for new prosecutors. The in-house continuing legal education program will be revamped and staffed by competent and well-respected prosecutors from both inside and outside the District Attorney's Office. This will result in the best-trained advocates appearing in court on behalf of the citizens of Erie County.
  3. All prosecutors will be encouraged to follow the cooperation model with Police agencies currently practiced in the District Attorney's Office Homicide Bureau. Under this model, select prosecutors will be on call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to assist and advise police officers with the investigation of a case. All prosecutors will provide sound legal advice to the police in a courteous and professional manner.
  4. There are three prosecution agencies in Erie County: the County District Attorney's Office, the State Attorney General's Office and the Federal United States Attorney's Office. Turf battles have too often strained the relationship between these three agencies for many years, but they will end under my administration and be replaced with cooperation.
  5. The District Attorney is the People's attorney and therefore must communicate with the public. Media commentary is sometimes necessary, but it should never interfere with criminal investigations or jeopardize a suspect's right to a fair trial. As District Attorney, I will address the community in a dignified and professional manner and I will strictly adhere to the ethical guidelines concerning public comment on pending cases.