Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of April 18, 2016
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:39 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), Michael Dearington (New Haven), Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia/Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Brian Preleski (New Britain), and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Dawn Gallo (Litchfield).
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.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 21, 2016, meeting. State’s Attorney Colangelo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
State’s Attorney Platt and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reviewed the latest revisions to Policy 511 – Prosecutorial Misconduct. State’s Attorney Smriga made a motion to adopt the revised policy. State’s Attorney Froehlich seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Chief State’s Attorney Kane will issue an explanatory memorandum to all prosecutors.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the state budget. As it now stands funding for all temporary and per diem employees will be exhausted by May 31, 2016. Although no 2016-17 budget has been adopted, the most recent information is that approximately 20 existing or anticipated vacancies would go unfilled in the next fiscal year. Information on caseloads was distributed and the State’s Attorneys are asked to report to Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto by Friday, April 22, 2016, on the critical needs of their districts given anticipated vacancies and termination of per diem and temporary employees. Plans will be developed to staff the Regionalized Infractions Adjudications Program (RIAP) after termination of the per diem RIAP staff.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane and legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette reported on legislation pending in the 2016 Regular Session. State’s Attorneys are asked to be prepared to offer input as questions arise in the final weeks of the session.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin reported that plans to expand centralized storage of records were abandoned due to lack of funds. Temporary employees assisting with records will be terminated by the end of May due to budget constraints.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin reported that the Annual Professional Development Conference for Prosecutors will be June 13, 2016, at Central Connecticut State University. In-district training will be held either June 22 or June 23.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle distributed a memorandum by Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Schwartz, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, on new urine retention procedures implemented by the Department of Emergency Services and Protection (DESPP) Division of Scientific Services.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on a request from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services concerning immunity from prosecution for minors engaged in the enforcement of tobacco laws.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously at 1:39 p.m.