Candidate for Hennepin County Attorney in 2018 Minnesota 2018 General Election.
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Get StartedTo ensure transparency and accountability in charging decisions regarding police use-of-force cases, I will make several changes. Create an advisory panel with appropriate independence and autonomy to provide charging recommendations in police-involved incidents. Learn more
Advocate for the broader changes necessary to create an independent prosecutor’s office or interagency agreements to handle police-involved incidents. Learn more
With guidance from the Community Advisory Board and drawing on best practices from other jurisdictions, I will create and staff an Integrity Review Unit (IRU). While specifics of the structure and policies of this unit require careful planning in consultation with experts, I am committed to: Giving the IRU a broad mandate to review and, when appropriate, redress claims of innocence, excessively punitive dispositions, and cases involving police and/or prosecutor failure to uphold people’s constitutional rights. Staffing the IRU with seasoned prosecutors, criminal justice experts, and newer staff who rotate through in order to spread values of integrity, humility, and fairness (which I prefer over winning convictions at any cost). Creating a variety of avenues for relief where a breakdown in the system is discovered, including dismissals, release, and expungements where anyone is unjustly charged or convicted. Regular reporting of the findings and actions of the IRU, including the demographics and outcomes of reviewed cases. Learn more
I will dedicate staff and systems to gather information on the office, and, to the extent possible, make it public and easily accessible. I will immediately work to provide: The Office’s policies and procedures. Charging, plea, trial, and sentencing information by race, socioeconomic status, gender, and other demographics. Bail amounts by type of charge, the accused’s ability to pay and other demographics, the amount of time the accused was held in custody pre-trial, and case disposition. The amount of funding the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office receives from civil forfeitures, by offense charged and the race, socioeconomic status, gender, and other pertinent demographics. Political endorsements made by professional organizations where I hold a leadership role, and links to any press where I am quoted as your Hennepin County Attorney. Learn more
Publicize all policies regarding police-involved incidents, and provide an annual report summarising investigations, prosecutions, and dispositions of police-involved incidents. Learn more
I will work to limit the prosecution of cannabis crimes, especially where racial disparities in enforcement are particularly high and support full legalization. Learn more
I will limit the requesting of bail and advocate for systemic changes to reform our bail system in Minnesota and abolish cash bail, including limiting the use of fines and fees and advocate for state reforms so we stop punishing people for being poor Learn more
we will work to reduce the number of people being held in pretrial detention by limiting the practice to cases where there is a clear public safety or flight risk. Learn more
We should limit charging of felonies for 16-17 year olds to avoid public record and advocate for law changes to allow judges to close hearings that are currently automatically public. Learn more
I will expand diversion and the use of non-conviction sentences and restorative justice programming, improve diversion support services, particularly for drug use. I promise to support and participate in regular warrant forgiveness days. Learn more
I will expand juvenile restorative justice services with a focus on creating connections with supportive adults. Learn more
I will work to limit the prosecution of cannabis crimes, especially where racial disparities in enforcement are particularly high and support full legalization. Learn more
I will dedicate staff and systems to gather information on the office, and, to the extent possible, make it public and easily accessible. I will immediately work to provide: The Office’s policies and procedures. Charging, plea, trial, and sentencing information by race, socioeconomic status, gender, and other demographics. Bail amounts by type of charge, the accused’s ability to pay and other demographics, the amount of time the accused was held in custody pre-trial, and case disposition. The amount of funding the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office receives from civil forfeitures, by offense charged and the race, socioeconomic status, gender, and other pertinent demographics. Political endorsements made by professional organizations where I hold a leadership role, and links to any press where I am quoted as your Hennepin County Attorney. Learn more
With guidance from the Community Advisory Board and drawing on best practices from other jurisdictions, I will create and staff an Integrity Review Unit (IRU). While specifics of the structure and policies of this unit require careful planning in consultation with experts, I am committed to: Giving the IRU a broad mandate to review and, when appropriate, redress claims of innocence, excessively punitive dispositions, and cases involving police and/or prosecutor failure to uphold people’s constitutional rights. Staffing the IRU with seasoned prosecutors, criminal justice experts, and newer staff who rotate through in order to spread values of integrity, humility, and fairness (which I prefer over winning convictions at any cost). Creating a variety of avenues for relief where a breakdown in the system is discovered, including dismissals, release, and expungements where anyone is unjustly charged or convicted. Regular reporting of the findings and actions of the IRU, including the demographics and outcomes of reviewed cases. Learn more
To increase transparency, build on community knowledge, and shape innovative and effective policies and practices, I will create a Community Advisory Board (CAB). I will assemble members with diverse experience and expertise in the criminal justice system who are also representative of the diversity of Hennepin County. Learn more
I will commit to diversity in hiring and promotion and create a culture of inclusion. Learn more
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