Questions that were asked of DA Candidates in the Tea Party Debate on March 13

1. Regarding infractions involving fines and no jail time versus misdemeanor violations being subject to both 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine, do you believe police officer discretion should be applied before citations, infractions, misdemeanor citations are issued?

2. Violations involving non-human health and safety matters in California require use of misdemeanor citations and can include intimidating arraignment procedure (e.g., violations of California Department of Fish and Game regulations, forest practice laws, and County General Plan land use Ordinances). Do you feel the DA’s office should be involved as soon as the above type of misdemeanor is discovered to pursue an out of courtroom resolution to the matter as soon as possible to avoid costs to the taxpayers before arraignment and courtroom action?

3. Would you support a fiscal amnesty program for innocent violations of the law not involving human heath and safety matters?

4. What steps would you take to combat the increased robberies and home invasions?

5. How do you feel about the potential legalization of Marijuana in the County and in any of the cities within the County? If you are in favor of it, what benefit do you think it would be?

6. How do you feel about the current procedures used to release jail inmates in the middle of the night?  Do you think there should be instances where this practice should continue (e.g., to accommodate anticipated increase of jail inmates due to holiday celebrations)?

7. What kind of relationship do you want to have with the police chiefs and sheriff?

8. How do you feel about the arming of the DA investigators that took place via the Code Enforcement Unit not long ago?  Would you support elimination of those policies in the County?

9. In your opinion, should the Sheriff be the chief law man in the County or the chief law enforcement officer in the County? 

10. What do you think of the death penalty?  Why?

11. Should the DA directly work on a portion of the trials scheduled or should he/she delegate trial workload to Deputy DA’s and focus on office administration? 

12. How many attorneys, paralegals and investigators do you think the DA’s office should have to be a competent smooth running office? 

13. How many hours on behalf of the DA does it take to both run the office and the trial calendars in an efficient, effective  manner?  How many hours are you used to working per week? 

14. If elected, how many years do you see yourself in office? 

15. What is your opinion of the Grand Jury?  Do you agree with County Counsel’s office controlling of which complaints are forwarded to the grand Jury?  Do you agree with County Counsel’s controlling which Grand jury investigation reports are published? What would you do if elected to correct the Grand Jury organization and reporting?

16. What is your plan to discourage the current drug culture in Humboldt County?

I did take notes and it was an hour and half debate. I could try and summarize responses under the questions but in fairness to the candidates, if one can, you should watch it on Access Humboldt.