| Sonoma County, CA | June 3, 2014 Election |
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HOMICIDE/VIOLENT CRIME UNITBy Victoria I. ShanahanCandidate for District Attorney; County of Sonoma |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
In 2011, the homicide unit was disbanded to "spread serious cases out for training purposes." I will reinstitute this important unit as serious crime deserves serious attention. I will also release statistics on how we are performing on these cases.Homicide and violent crime demand full-time attention and should be staffed by prosecutors with expertise and proven trial abilities. When this unit was disbanded in 2011, homicide cases became collateral duties and given part-time attention. Prosecutors who handle other less serious but full caseloads have to work on homicides "as time permits". This part-time focus on our most serious cases has compromised justice, resulting in plea bargains or verdicts to lesser charges and lesser sentences. Most mid to large size counties have a designated homicide unit, or at least designated experienced prosecutors to specifically handle these cases. It is very unusual that Sonoma County no longer has this unit. In my first 100 days in office, I will reinstitute this important unit. I believe serious crime deserves serious attention, and I will ensure homicides and violent crime are aggressively prosecuted by experienced prosecutors who have proven trial abilities. More importantly, these cases will be given the time and attention they deserve so that the offenders receive the full punishment they deserve. |
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 5, 2014 20:18
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