Date: March 13, 2007
Location: Albemarle County Courthouse
I am here today to formally announce that I intend seek the Democratic nomination for Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney. It would be an honor and a privilege to represent the citizens of Albemarle County and I can bring experience, hard work and leadership to that job.
Being a strong advocate for my clients has always been extremely important to me because access to the Courts and quality representation is so vital to our system of justice. Additionally, I know first hand the effects of crime on all families and individuals - families of victims and defendants. I had to deal with the criminal justice system as a family member when my father was killed many years ago. That experience had a great impact on me and allows me to be a unique and effective ally for victims of crime. Victims and their families need guidance through our system - they need a voice in the Courtroom, and I will be that voice.
I have practiced law in this area for almost 17 years. For most of that time I have been involved in criminal law almost exclusively. I have earned a reputation for being effective, tough, thoroughly prepared and honest. As a defense attorney, you have to be a fighter and that is also a part of my reputation. I have never avoided the tough cases or issues. The citizens of Albemarle County deserve a strong leader in the prosecution of crimes. Someone who can make the hard decisions and leave the people feeling that justice was done; that everything was considered fully. I am that leader.
The needs of people in Albemarle that I have talked about are universal and I see the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County as interdependent communities with many of the same needs in their respective prosecutors. As a city resident, I am privileged to be able, by statute, to seek the Democratic nomination for Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney; much like our current Commonwealth’s Attorney did when he was first elected in 1991 as a city resident.
People in our community want to feel safe and know that their children are safe. They deserve to feel safe. These are not partisan issues; they are important issues to everyone. The Police in Albemarle County work hard to enforce the law and investigate and prepare their cases. But the citizens of Albemarle County and the hardworking Police must also feel secure in the level of prosecution in the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney; they need and deserve to know that they are receiving the highest level of representation in their criminal matters. I can provide that confidence.
We live in a wonderful community but we are not without our problems. Increasingly we see crimes against the elderly and against children. As a parent, I am concerned about the growing number of predators who use the internet as their means of access to our children. As chief prosecutor, the Commonwealth’s Attorney can have a great impact on the level of crime in our County. I will work alongside the police to send a strong message that people who commit crimes in our community will pay.
Those who commit crimes must be brought to justice but prevention of crime is also important. Education is vitally important and I will reach out to educate our community about crime and crime prevention. As Commonwealth’s Attorney I will seek out opportunities to educate our children and others in our community about crime and its effect and about our justice system in order to assist our law enforcement personnel in crime prevention.
My years as a criminal defense attorney have prepared me well for the role of Commonwealth’s Attorney. I know the criminal justice system. I know its strengths and I know its problems. I can anticipate defenses and ensure that prosecutions stay on track. And I can do that without sacrificing the faith that people have in the system and their elected officials.
I look forward to the nomination of the Democratic Party on May 14 and to the campaign. And I look forward to working beside our law enforcement personnel to represent the best interests of Albemarle County and its citizens as the next Commonwealth’s Attorney.
|
