Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of December 20, 2010
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
The meeting was called to order at 12:40 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.
Also in attendance were Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle (Operations) and John J. Russotto (Personnel, Finance and Administration), State’s Attorneys David I. Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk), John A. Connelly (Waterbury), Michael Dearington (New Haven), Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford), Timothy J. Liston (Middlesex), Scott J. Murphy (New Britain), Stephen Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield), and John C. Smriga (Fairfield).
Also present: Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Patricia Alston and Mark A. Dupuis, Division of Criminal Justice Communications Officer.
State’s Attorney Cohen made a motion to accept the minutes of the November 15, 2010, meeting. State’s Attorney Liston seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
There was no report on the budget.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) approved the Division of Criminal Justice Affirmative Action Plan. Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Patricia Alston commented on the approval and expressed appreciation to the State’s Attorneys for their assistance in the process.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on his review of policies regarding United States Department of State requirements for consular notification of the arrests of foreign nationals. The primary responsibility for such notification rests with the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. Additional information is available to the State’s Attorneys on request.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle distributed copies of a memorandum by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy Sugrue of the Appellate Bureau on guidelines concerning the issuance of subpoenas.
State’s Attorney Liston reported on the recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys’ Association (NDAA), including the future of the National Advocacy Center (NAC) and an alternative proposal presented by the University of Utah School of Law for a new training center that would serve both prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane led a general discussion of the need to promote training among prosecutors. There was consensus that the Division needs to provide more training opportunities. It was suggested that the Division investigate the possible use of the Judicial Branch video conferencing capabilities for training purposes.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane announced that Brian Austin will return to the Division as Executive Assistant State’s Attorney at the conclusion of his service as Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Planning in the Office of Policy and Management.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane asked for volunteers to serve on a committee to review and assess the pilot project for the video recording of interrogations in major felony cases. State’s Attorneys Dearington, Froehlich, Lawlor and Smriga volunteered to serve. The police departments that are involved in the pilot project will also be invited to participate in the review.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the draft of an ethics policy for the Division will hopefully be completed soon and will then be circulated among the State’s Attorneys for their comments and input.
State’s Attorney Froehlich reported on the Advisory Board to the Office of the Victim Advocate. There was concern expressed about public comments the Victim Advocate had made about pending criminal cases.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on training being provided to Inspectors for use of CLEAR, a database available for criminal investigations. Approximately 40 Inspectors were trained on the first of two days of training.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane urged the State’s Attorneys to encourage more prosecutors to take advantage of training in the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto cited an upcoming training program on electronic and other evidence.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.