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New St. Lawrence County District Attorney plans to reduce case backlogs, improve mentoring and expand communication with police

Posted 11/18/17

By JIMMY LAWTON CANTON – Improved mentoring of attorneys, reducing case backlogs and expanded communication with law enforcement are just a few of Gary Pasqua’s immediate goals when he takes the …

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New St. Lawrence County District Attorney plans to reduce case backlogs, improve mentoring and expand communication with police

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON – Improved mentoring of attorneys, reducing case backlogs and expanded communication with law enforcement are just a few of Gary Pasqua’s immediate goals when he takes the helm as St. Lawrence County District Attorney.

A New Vision

“I think first and foremost we are going to build a staff. We want to make sure we have the most qualified people in the office that we can,” he said.

Paqua said he wants to eliminate the misdemeanor bureau format used by outgoing District Attorney Mary Rain. Under Rain, some assistant district attorneys handle felony cases exclusively. Pasqua said he believes this makes fewer prosecutors to handle the minor crimes, which create a backlog at local courts.

“My goal is to have every prosecutor in my office able to handle misdemeanor cases,” he said. “When it comes to felonies some of the more experienced staff will handle the bulk of the work,” he said.

But Pasqua says it’s important for less experienced attorneys to learn how to handle felony matters as well.

“We aren’t going to have the less experienced prosecutors handling violent felonies and sex crimes, but with proper training they should be able to handle prison contraband cases and driving under the influence cases. It’s important to get them the training and experience they need to do so,” he said.

Pasqua said he intends to meet with Rain this week and will also be meeting with nine district attorneys who work under her.

“The first step is to find out how many wish to continue in the office. Anyone currently employed there will be considered as a potential staff member,” he said. “I want to make sure they are good solid attorneys who want to be there before I make any decisions about staffing.”

Pasqua also intends to end a policy implemented by Rain that does not allow plea deals involving driving while intoxicated cases. Pasqua says that while he takes driving while intoxicated as a very serious offense, he says all cases handled by his office will be looked at and handled individually.

“Every case is different, every defendant is different all of the circumstances are different. I don’t think a blanket policy is the proper way to ensure justice. I believe you really need to use all of the resources and opportunities afforded to you under the law,” he said.

Improving communication

Pasqua said that he sees the drug epidemic as a major problem in St. Lawrence County. He says he intends to meet with law enforcement agencies to discuss the issues.

“I think that’s going to be a major focus of our office. Step one is communicating with law enforcement agencies and getting a plan together. We need to find the individuals who are dealing drugs in our community and bringing drugs into our community and make sure our plea offers going out there are appropriate so we can keep them from getting right back out on the street.”

In early interviews Pasqua stated that he also wants to make sure that addicts are getting proper help.

“You have to give them a chance to better themselves,” Pasqua said. “You can make offers that involve probation, rehabilitation and frequent evaluations. You need to break that habit, because if you don’t tackle the addiction problem new suppliers are always going to step in and replace the ones you put behind bars.

Looking Ahead

Pasqua says he is hoping to choose a chief assistant district attorney very soon. He has a short list of names and is already beginning to reach out. Pasqua says he wants an experienced attorney who has the ability to lead and teach others.

“I want someone in here with experience that I can trust,” he said.

Pasqua says he will have a chief in place by December, but hopes the selection will be made much sooner.

Pasqua says another goal for him is to find a better location for grand jury hearings. He said the current location raises some privacy concerns regarding a process that is supposed to occur in secrecy. He said this opens up a variety of problems for the proper handling of such matters.

“I think that’s a top priority. That situation really needs to be improved,” he said.

Pasqua said he also expects Judge Jerome Richards will return to St. Lawrence County. Due to conflicts with Rain, Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne is handling the bulk of St. Lawrence County’s cases.

“I do expect Richards will be back in St. Lawrence County when I take office. I think the only reason for the switch was due to the conflicts with the current DA,” he said.