Issue Position: Public Saftey

Issue Position

Elected in 2006, TJ has led the office of Chittenden County State's Attorney in enhancing public safety. He created and implemented innovative approaches to criminal justice. For violent offenders, TJ has aggressively pursued and punished those that prey on the community, obtaining high profile convictions, including the murder convictions of Brian Rooney, Christopher Williams, Gerald Montgomery, Timothy Dowd and a manslaughter conviction of Michael Lewis, all violent criminals who posed a threat to Vermont's communities. Throughout his career as a prosecutor TJ has been involved in every aspect of the prosecutorial process from evaluating decisions to prosecute to personally trying cases to verdict.

While TJ works tirelessly to prosecute those who pose a direct threat to public safety, he has also sought to root out the causes of criminality, focusing on prevention as the best way to keep Vermonters safe. His efforts include advocating for treatment on demand for drug addiction; alternatives to incarceration; vigorous enforcement with meaningful intervention; and effective prevention strategies. He believes that a good job is the best form of public safety.

TJ takes a collaborative approach to prosecutions, enhancing communication among state, federal, local prosecution as a way to deliver better public safety services.

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