Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of September 20, 2010
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:35 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), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford), Timothy J. Liston (Middlesex), Scott J. Murphy (New Britain), Michael L. Regan (New London), and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Eva Lenczewski (Waterbury), and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Dawn Gallo (Litchfield).

Also present: Michael A. Gailor, Executive Assistant State’s Attorney; Mark A. Dupuis, Division of Criminal Justice Communications Officer; and guests Gary A. Roberge, Assistant Director of Adult Services, Court Support Services Division, Judicial Branch; Robert Cristiano, Chief Probation Officer, Superior Court Geographical Area No. 4; and , Jennifer Hedlund, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Internship Director, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Central Connecticut State University.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced guests Gary Roberge, Robert Cristiano and Jennifer Hedlund. Mr. Roberge gave an explanation of the guidelines developed by the Judicial Branch for use by bail commissioners in making bond recommendations. State’s Attorney Lawlor stated that he had asked that the item be placed on the agenda because of concern that the guidelines fail to adequately take into consideration the threat a defendant may pose, particularly in cases involving class A and class B felonies. Mr. Roberge stated that the Judicial Branch welcomes feedback from the State’s Attorneys. The branch will continue to review bail recommendations and may revise the guidelines in the future. Proposed revisions will be sent to the Chief State’s Attorney for distribution to the State’s Attorneys for their comments.

A motion was made by State’s Attorney Cohen and seconded by State’s Attorney Liston to approve the minutes of the Chief State’s Attorney’s meeting held on August 30, 2010. The motion passed without opposition.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that he had relayed to the Judicial Branch the concerns of the State’s Attorneys concerning the fading of new labels used on court files. The court clerks have raised the same concerns, and the Judicial Branch is working with the contractor who provides the labeling system to correct the problem.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the symposium on alternative dispute resolution to be held October 15, 2010, at Quinnipiac University School of Law sponsored by Quinnipiac and the Connecticut Bar Foundation. The State’s Attorneys were urged to have as many Geographical Area (G.A.) personnel as possible take advantage of this training opportunity.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Division is planning two, half-day training programs on alternatives to incarceration and diversionary programs. Chief State’s Attorney Kane stressed the need to educate prosecutors on all diversionary programs in light of the emphasis the General Assembly has placed on reducing jail and prison population. Chief State’s Attorney Kane stated that prosecutors are among those in the best position to determine which defendants are appropriate for the limited space available in diversionary programs.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on the development of a Division of Criminal Justice Operations Manual. The idea is to have a “how to do it” book similar to the Criminal Operations Manual utilized by the United States Department of Justice and similar publications from the American Bar Association. Volunteers are being sought to suggest topics and participate in the manual project.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that he had received a letter from a member of the defense bar concerning the confidentiality of conversations between prosecutors and private attorneys.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that each State’s Attorney is asked to designate one employee in their Judicial District to have access to the Judicial Branch database of sentencing transcripts.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto urged the State’s Attorneys to have Inspectors and Investigators in their Judicial Districts take advantage of advanced training on using the internet in investigations. The training will be offered October 1, 2010, by the Connecticut State Police at no cost to the Division or participants.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 2:05 p.m.