Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of September 18, 2017
Office of the Chief State’s
Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:41 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), Anne F. Mahoney (Windham), 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).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Austin, Jr., Legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette, Jr., and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 28, 2017, meeting. State’s Attorney Lawlor seconded the motion and it passed with no opposition.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported the Division continues to operate under the Governor’s executive order in the absence of an adopted state budget. The Management Committee met and (1) will prioritize the order in which vacancies would be filled, and (2) how to increase efficiency of operations, and (3) revisions to procedures for reviewing employee performance, and (4) additional management training for State’s Attorneys, and (5) potential restoration of per diem prosecutors to handle infractions.
It was suggested the Division approach the Judicial Branch about allowing infractions dockets to be heard in the afternoon to provide for greater efficiency and more convenience to the public.
A breakdown of funds received through asset forfeiture at each location was distributed.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the Connecticut Sentencing Commission is continuing its study of bail. State’s Attorney Mahoney has volunteered to attend a presentation in New Jersey; Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin also will attend.
State’s Attorney Mahoney reported on concerns regarding a hearing conducted by the Board of Pardons and Paroles where the offender and a victim with a standing criminal protective order were present.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin reported on concerns with access to certain records of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the board’s practice of requiring certain information for hearings conducted pursuant to Public Act 15-84 to be obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
State’s Attorney Mahoney reported on issues raised regarding the videotaping of interrogations of juveniles in criminal investigations.
State’s Attorney Mahoney reported concerns regarding the recommended procedures being discussed by the Governor’s Sexual Assault Kit Working Group for contacting the subject of kits. It was the consensus of the State’s Attorneys that an apology for the handling of the kits should not be automatically offered and was not appropriate in all cases.
Legislative liaison Blanchette reported the Division is in compliance with Public Act 17-185, which requires posting on the Division website of a link to information on the Judicial Branch website concerning the use of comfort and support dogs for witnesses.
State’s Attorney Sedensky reported that the Governor’s Task Force on Justice for Abused Children has established an ad hoc committee on standards for multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs). Input from prosecutors concerning possible trial implications is particularly important.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that ethics guidelines utilized in Virginia and forwarded by State’s Attorney Mahoney will be distributed to the State’s Attorneys for consideration in the possible revision of DCJ policies.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m.