Chief State's Attorney's Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of January 12, 2015
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:42 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.

In attendance were: State’s Attorneys David Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk), Michael Dearington (New Haven), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury) and John Smriga (Fairfield); Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Vicki Melchiorre (Hartford); Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys David Gulik (Waterbury) and Helen McLellan (New Britain); and Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto.

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Austin, Jr., and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Sedensky made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2014, meeting. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported the Governor’s budget will be delivered to the General Assembly on or about February 18, 2015. The Division continues to have latitude in filling vacancies. The Criminal Justice Commission has now scheduled two meetings in January to fill four positions.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on need for prosecutors at the Geographical Area level to utilize revised in rem procedures, which were effective October 1, 2014. All prosecutors and police chiefs should be made aware of the revisions; a training memorandum written by Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Gailor will be redistributed.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle distributed memorandums prepared by the Appellate Bureau concerning legal issues and guidelines concerning the recovery of encrypted data from certain smartphones.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Annual Professional Development Conference for Prosecutors is tentatively scheduled for June 11-12, 2015. The Thursday central training program will focus on technology issues. The new monthly training program for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys and others in need of training will begin in February. A training program for supervisory prosecutors will be scheduled in March.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the new legislative session. Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Melchiorre raised a question about statutory requirements regarding notice to defense counsel concerning DNA evidence; the Division’s legislation staff will review.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported the Operations Committee is continuing its review of policies and practices regarding the investigation of the use of deadly force by peace officers.

State’s Attorney Sedensky raised concerns about PRAWN (Paperless Arrest Warrant Network) failure to appear warrants and whether they are being added to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the ad hoc committee on technology issues will meet later this month. The State’s Attorneys are invited to submit any concerns for review.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that Division personnel are working with the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) on a study of domestic violence issues commissioned by the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Cohen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:32 p.m.