The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has the responsibility under state law to appoint an Interim District Attorney to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former DA Mark Peterson.
I have advocated that this process be open and transparent and give the community the opportunity to provide meaningful public input.
This is an important appointment. The District Attorney is a significant stakeholder in our County's justice system and makes the final determination on who is prosecuted under State law. I strongly believe that the new District Attorney must bring values of integrity, equity, empathy and fairness to the office. The new DA should understand the importance of justice reform and commit to support the work of the Racial Justice Task Force in addressing the disproportionate involvement of people of color in our justice system.
The public is invited to an important community forum on Tuesday, August 15 at 6:00 PM in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. The public can provide advance questions/comments one hour before, at 5:00 pm or by clicking here.
While the public will have an opportunity to offer questions and comments at the forum, you can also provide input prior to the event by clicking here.
The forum will be televised
live
on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) and streamed live online.
The five final candidates are: Contra Costa Superior Court Judges Diana Becton and Danielle Douglas, Contra Costa Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves, Contra Costa Assistant District Attorney Tom Kensok, and Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Patrick Vanier.
The Board of Supervisors will interview the five candidates at its September 12 public meeting, which starts at 9:00 AM. A final decision may be made that day, or at the following board meeting on September 19, 2017.
Whoever is appointed will serve out the current term of office, which expires January 7, 2019. There will be an election for District Attorney in June 2018 and the appointed Interim District Attorney is eligible to run in that election for the full four year term of office which commences on January 8, 2019.
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