Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of April 16, 2018
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:37 p.m.

In attendance were: 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), Anne F. Mahoney (Windham), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Michael L. Regan (New London), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield) and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Russell Zentner (Middlesex).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor, legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette, Jr., and  Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 19, 2018, meeting. State’s Attorney Mahoney seconded the motion and it passed with no opposition.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced guest Ngina McMillian, DCJ Human Resources/Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist, to review the process for preparing hiring tracking sheets. Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the Criminal Justice Commission is tentatively scheduled to meet June 1, 2018, to consider four positions.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the implementation of Section 4-8a of the General Statutes. The Operations Committee will meet to further discuss the matter.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported the Division has received copies of ethics policies from the County Attorney for Pima County, Arizona. The hope is to distribute drafts of DCJ policies for discussion at the May meeting.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported the Department of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut will provide a two-day management course for the State’s Attorneys, the Chief State’s Attorney and the Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys. Also being considered is an executive leadership course (four Saturday classes) and a two-year, 20-week certification program. The department will assist the State’s Attorneys in developing measures for assessing progress toward meeting the goals of their strategic business plans. The State’s Attorneys should proceeding to develop their strategic business plans for discussion at the June meeting.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported the Division has sufficient funds available in its Personal Services (PS) line item to transfer to cover projected deficiencies in other budget line items. The Division is currently in the process of filling 18 vacancies. The State’s Attorneys are again asked to carefully review the personnel needs of their Judicial Districts.

Legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette, Jr., asked the State’s Attorneys for input on pending legislation. An email will be sent to all State’s Attorneys concerning an issue that has arisen with car rental companies. There was discussion of the potential cost of implementation of Senate Bill No. 519, An Act Concerning Open File Disclosure, and it was determined that the costs would be significant given the mandates of the bill.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Division will begin a three-year rotation for most assignments to the State’s Attorneys committees. The State’s Attorneys should submit their preferences.

State’s Attorney Smirga reported for the Training Committee. The Annual Professional Development Conference for Prosecutors on June 14, 2018, will include presentations by Supreme Court Justices Richard A. Robinson and Maria Araujo Kahn on cultural competency and implicit bias; Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Judith R. Dicine on housing matters; Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Francis J. Carino on juvenile matters; Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Brian K. Sibley, Sr., on human trafficking; Yale Law School Professor Tom R. Tyler on procedural justice; and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The June 14 conference will provide six continuing legal education (CLE) credits. Additional training of four hours is planned in the Judicial Districts. The committee stressed the importance of training specific to the local districts.

State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on efforts to combine resources for the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases. The State’s Attorneys are reminded of the need to designate a contact in each Judicial District.

State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the initial success of a pilot program for disposing of infractions online. The program may be expanded to other areas.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.