Tell me your ideas!

Consistency (3.00 / 1)

Above all, the DA office has to take a consistent approach to criminal justice, so that citizens, prosecutors, and defense attorneys all know what to expect.  If two people are arrested for similar crimes under similar circumstances, then they must be treated the same way.

There will always we room for prosecutorial discretion -- every case has unique features -- but the DA office should resist the temptation to think about each case from scratch, or to use each case as an opportunity to set a new precedent.

Charlie Baird is known for his highly creative rulings and sentences from the bench. In many cases he has created win-win solutions where none appeared to exist. That's admirable, but it would be a disaster if the whole DA's office were run with this sort of ad-hoc reasoning.  

That's why, despite my admiration for many of Charlie Baird's rulings, I strongly support Rosemary Lehmberg's re-election. I urge Judge Baird to leave well enough alone and not to run for DA.  

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by: LSadun @ Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 15:21:48 PM UTC

Lorenzo, You Are Wrong (5.00 / 1)

Lorenzo,

I've watched you since your run for Congress and, although I respect you a great deal, you are just plain wrong in even making this comment.

You paint Charlie Baird as someone who would get to the DA's office and look at every case as an opportunity to recreate what happened with Timothy Cole. The fact of the matter is that Charlie's running for DA isn't about a single case. It is about changing the whole system and bringing in much needed reforms to the criminal justice system in Travis County.

I've got colleagues that practice in places like Seattle and Boston and Dallas and Milwaukee and the fact of the matter is that Ronnie Earle and Rosemary Lehmberg have spent decades resisting change to the system (aside from adopting programs judges actually created). That's their perrogative as officeholders. I've nothing against Rosemary and in fact supported her last time around and think she is a super-wonderful person.

However, we need reform to the justice system in Travis County, and Rosemary Lehmberg isn't the person to institute that. Charlie Baird is.

If you actually go to one of the club meetings and sit down and talk with Charlie you'll hear his vision. It is nothing like you make it out to be. It is a whole-office vision that involves reform and new practices office-wide.

I sure hope that you will reconsider your position because, frankly, you are just plain wrong about Charlie. The DA's office wouldn't be a disaster, it would be made better.  

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by: lakewaybill @ Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 19:02:57 PM UTC

Time for a Change (0.00 / 0)

The Travis County Districts Attorney's Office has basically been under the same management since 1976. When DA Ronnie Earle retired, all four Democratic candidates to replace him in 2008 were Asst. DA's at the time. It was kind of a paper or plastic bag choice with all the candidates singing the praises of Earle's thirty-two year tenure as DA.

Judge Baird's candidacy will force a real examination of both the effectiveness and fairness of the Travis County Criminal Justice System. This review by the voters of Travis County is long overdue, whether you support Judge Baird or the incumbent.

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by: ssuits @ Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 19:41:55 PM UTC

I'm with Charlie. (0.00 / 0)

I supported Rosemary in 2008 and like and respect her a great deal. However, after talking to Charlie and hearing his ideas, it was clear that it's time for something different. It's about consistently seeking real justice, not just prosecuting someone with blinders on.  So, I made the decision to help Charlie any way I could. I urge others to do the same.  

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by: McBlogger @ Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 20:31:31 PM UTC