Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of October 19, 2015
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
The meeting was called to order at 12:39 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.
In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Leonard C. Boyle; State’s Attorneys Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. (Stamford-Norwalk), Michael Dearington (New Haven), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Michael L. Regan (New London), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Calistro, (Middlesex) and Special Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Crockett (Windham).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor, legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.
State’s Attorney Smriga made a motion to accept the minutes of the September 21, 2015, meeting. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Colangelo and passed unanimously.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle and State’s Attorney Platt reported on whether the provisions of Public Act 15-183 concerning the transfer of cases from the juvenile to regular docket is retroactive. The Appellate Bureau will do further research.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle introduced Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Schwartz, the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, for a presentation on the application of operating under the influence (OUI) diversionary programs to holders of commercial driver licenses and potential legislation concerning penalties for OUI with a passenger under age 18 in the vehicle. The State’s Attorneys are asked to review the issues with Geographical Area court supervisors.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced guests Valina Carpenter and Denise Covington for a presentation on the Gail Burns-Smith Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) program. There will be follow-up contact with State’s Attorneys in districts where the SAFE program operates to explore opportunities for collaboration.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that the latest draft of the Division Active Shooter Policy will be considered adopted if no objections are received in the next few days. A draft letter for State’s Attorneys to send to local law enforcement was distributed.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported there are no new developments regarding the budget.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the State’s Attorneys’ Legislative Committee will meet November 2, 2015. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on ongoing discussions with the American Civil Liberties Union and Division of Public Defender Services regarding legislation on the issuance of ex parte orders for certain telecommunications information.
State’s Attorney Shepack reported that the Operations Committee met to review draft policies and protocols for responding to incidents of a death resulting from the use of force by a peace officer. The policy and protocol will be acted on at the next meeting.
State’s Attorney Regan reported on concerns about the issuance of arrest warrants for violation of a civil protection order absent proof that the order was personally served on the respondent. Wilfred Blanchette will research legislative task force deliberations on the issue and the matter will be on the agenda for the next meeting.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Sedensky made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:56 p.m.