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Any one of us, at any time, could fall victim to a crime. When that happens, the Commonwealth’s Attorney is responsible for seeing that the person who committed the crime is brought before the court and prosecuted. The Commonwealth’s Attorney is responsible for assuring that justice is done for our community and that the victim of a crime is protected.
I remember the phone call from the woman who had been the victim of a sexual assault. Confused about an issue in her case, she contacted the Commonwealth’s Attorney to ask what should have been a simple question. Not only did she not get an answer to her question, but she was also treated in such a disrespectful and condescending manner that she decided to drop her case.
I also heard from a man whose property was vandalized by a person with an extensive criminal record. Although the man tried several times to talk with the prosecutor, the person responsible for seeing justice done in his case, the man never met, saw or talked to the prosecutor prior to trial. The man wrote a letter about what happened and sent it to the prosecutor; the letter was not read either. Ultimately, the person who vandalized the man’s property pleaded guilty, agreed to pay for the damaged property over time and received no jail time.
Each person in the above examples spent time and energy in contacting the Commonwealth’s Attorney or attending trial in order to ensure that their case was properly handled and received the attention that each person felt it deserved. Each left the justice system frustrated at not having been heard and feeling as if neither they nor their case was treated fairly or taken seriously. Neither felt fully informed about their case or the result.
Such cases – and worse – make me want to give victims the voice they deserve. They make me want to run for Commonwealth’s Attorney.
As Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney I pledge:
- To make sure that every attorney in the office is thoroughly prepared for each case;
- To subpoena necessary witnesses to trial;
- To interview victims and witnesses in advance of trial;
- To remain conscious of and to meet trial deadlines;
- To treat victims and witnesses with respect and dignity;
- To lead assistants in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office by example and to improve the quality of representation as a whole.
While the Commonwealth’s Attorney is charged with prosecuting people who commit crimes and make our community less safe, the office can and should work to find solutions to serious issues that face our citizens. I will work to find those solutions for our community and its citizens.
Parents are concerned with issues like underage drinking, gangs and violence in our schools. Having three children, Richard and I are also concerned with these issues and others. As Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will take action to coordinate with teachers, parents’ groups, law enforcement and others in our community to find ways to address these serious concerns and protect our children.
Senior citizens are worried about falling victim to crime through home invasion and fraud; they want to know how to protect themselves. I will lead the fight to protect our senior citizens by ensuring that those who would prey on these members of our community are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and are dealt with severely. As Commonwealth’s Attorney I will also work with organizations like TRIAD, which is designed to educate and inform our senior citizens about crime prevention and safety.
Crime victims should know that each case is important and is being handled accordingly. They should not feel victimized by the system designed to protect them. As Commonwealth’s Attorney I will give victims of crime a voice in the criminal justice system, I will work to keep them fully informed, and I will assure them that justice was served in their case. |
