Chief State’s Attorney Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of December 6, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 12:58 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.
Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Administration, Personnel and Finance John J. Russotto; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State's Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr.; State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), David R. Applegate (Danbury), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), David R. Shannon (Litchfield), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex) Christian M. Watson (New Britain), John P. Doyle, Jr. (New Haven), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Anne F. Mahoney (Windham) and Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Lisa M. D’Angelo, Gail P. Hardy and Brett J. Salafia; Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney David M. Kutzner and Vincent A. Duva, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy J. Sugrue, Legislative Liaison Anne Cournoyer, and Marisa DePhillips, Executive Secretary to the Chief State’s Attorney.
State’s Attorney Doyle moved to accept the minutes of the November meeting. State’s Attorney Walcott seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Deputy Chief State's Attorney Russotto updated the group on the DCJ mid-term budget adjustment requests for additional Division resources.
Deputy Chief State's Attorney Russotto provided an update on upcoming Criminal Justice Commission meetings. At the December meeting, the Commission plans to discuss vacancies for the Litchfield Judicial District, Geographical Area No. 23, New Haven, and the hiring of Special Deputy Assistant State's Attorneys for the Conviction Integrity Unit and Waterbury Habeas.
Legislative Liaison Cournoyer updated the group on the Division's proposed legislative package for the upcoming legislative session. Chief State's Attorney Griffin discussed members of the Division's visit to the Prosecutor’s Office in Patterson, New Jersey. A discussion then ensued over the lessons learned from the visit relating to potential changes in Connecticut’s bail statutes and how their staffing and IT resources significantly exceed those in Connecticut prosecutors’ offices.
Executive Assistant State's Attorney D'Angelo provided a training update, discussing the current Deputy Assistant State's Attorneys' Boot Camp and other upcoming Division-wide training that included tours of correctional facilities.
State's Attorney Platt discussed the Psychiatric Security Review Board Task Force charged with making recommendations for legislative changes to the PSRB.
State's Attorney Narducci discussed instances in the New London Judicial District in which prisoners are refusing to be transported to court for hearings. A discussion ensued on how to address the problem. It was resolved that Chief State's Attorney Griffin will alert the Honorable Elizabeth Bozzutto of the Division's concerns and discuss possible statewide remedies.
Chief State's Attorney Griffin and Executive Assistant State's Attorney Hardy asked the State's Attorneys to encourage Assistant State's Attorneys who handle domestic violence matters to cooperate with focus groups being conducted by domestic violence advocate groups. The goal of the focus groups is to increase effectiveness of domestic violence prosecutions.
State's Attorney Doyle led a discussion on the statewide impact of a New Haven attorney’s suspension from the practice of law.
State's Attorney Narducci led a discussion on the ability of out-of-state lawyers to apply for vacant prosecutors positions prior to admission to the Connecticut Bar.
Deputy Chief State's Attorney Russotto updated the group on procedures for onboarding interns. He informed the group that some internships will be paid and those positions are subject to normal HR requirements for paid, competitive positions.
Deputy Chief State's Attorney Russotto reminded the State's Attorneys about the December 18 holiday dinner in Glastonbury.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by State’s Attorney Walcott and seconded by Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto. The vote was unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 2:32 p.m.