Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of November 21, 2016
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m.
In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; State’s Attorneys Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia/Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), 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); and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Stabile (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 Colangelo made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 17, 2016, meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.
State’s Attorney Sedensky reported concerns related to draft standards being considered by the Governor’s Task Force on Justice for Abused Children pursuant to General Statutes section 17a-106a. State’s Attorney Platt made a motion that the draft standards pending before the task force be recalled and returned to the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Evaluation Committee for review and revision. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Preleski and passed unanimously.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the budget. The Division continues to seek efficiencies wherever possible. The Division will be applying for grants for study of the crucial gatekeeper role of the prosecutor in intake and screening of cases in the criminal justice system.
Wilfred Blanchette reported that the Division’s legislative package for the 2017 session of the General Assembly is coming together. Meetings are being scheduled with legislative leadership.
State’s Attorney Smriga reported that the State’s Attorneys’ Training Committee will meet at 11 a.m. prior to the December State’s Attorneys’ meetings.
State’s Attorney Shepack reported on the Sentencing Commission study of the bail system. A number of proposals are being considered but no consensus has been reached. The State’s Attorneys are asked to direct any concerns or ideas to State’s Attorney Shepack.
State’s Attorney Preleski reported that the Sentencing Commission committee established in response to the governor’s request for a study diversionary programs has yet to meet.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin reported that discussions are continuing on the implementation of the new Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Practice Book provisions.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that a memo will be distributed to all employees concerning employees who take time off despite having exhausted all available leave.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney McShane made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Colangelo seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.