#WeekInJustice: Week 164
Another seven jury trials in the books this week: five downtown and two at Juvenile. It’s amazing how the troops are rising to the occasion of the Covid backlog, but it’s also unsustainable. Going from an approximate 1% Covid trial rate to an approximate 10% rate overnight, with no additional infrastructure, personnel, or resources sounds like an Administration 101 “no no.” We’ll be approaching both the Bench and the Board of Supervisors with policies and proposals on how to ramp up jury trials without sacrificing public safety, trampling on victims’ rights, or violating rules of disclosure.
Speaking of personnel, this week:
- A 25 year veteran prosecutor from Kansas has accepted our offer.
- A 14 year local veteran has tentatively accepted and is looking at an April 22 start date, and
- We interviewed an 11 year veteran prosecutor out of Phoenix today who is ready to start by the end of the month.
Speaking of infrastructure/training, this week:
Congratulations to PCAO Detectives Martin Escobar, Nick Copelin, and Phil Young for completing the AZPOST Frontline Leadership training in Oro Valley (pictured above).
We are very excited for Detective Alex Montoya, our Number Two in the Division, for his upcoming retirement and preparing for next steps in leadership. Thank you Alex for all your years of public service!
To be continued,
Laura
