Criminal Justice Commission

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Minutes of the Meeting of March 7, 2024

The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.

In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, Attorneys Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.

Attorney Ogilvie moved to accept the minutes of the February 1, 2024 meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Justice McDonald said the Commission was to interview candidates for one position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Windham, Geographical Area No. 11.

Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Jacqueline P. McMahon of the Judicial District of Windham, and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to enter into executive session to discuss candidates for the positions. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The executive session began at 9:10 a.m.

The executive session ended at 11:11 a.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to approve Sofia Kouninis for conditional appointment as an apprentice prosecutor at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Windham, Geographical Area No. 11. The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed background checks and that no adverse findings were found in the background checks which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division of Criminal Justice. The apprentice prosecutor is a certified legal intern pursuant to the rules of the Superior Court and shall advance to the position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney once they gain admission to the Connecticut bar within one year of the date of their graduation from law school. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

There being no further business, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to adjourn the meeting. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:13 a.m.