© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WECS · WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM · WVOF
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Conn. ACLU Has 17 Questions For Chief State's Attorney Candidates

TONY WEBSTER / CREATIVE COMMONS

With the search underway for a new chief state’s attorney, the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut is calling on the candidates to answer some tough questions.

The ACLU’s Smart Justice Campaign released its new survey Tuesday. It’s 17 questions that ask for clear “yes” or “no” answers on issues centering on racial justice and decarceration. The topics include police accountability, open deadly force investigations, and mandatory minimum sentences. 

ACLU executive director David McGuire said the questions cover a range of the chief state’s attorney’s duties.

“We want real answers,” McGuire said. “We don’t want political maybes or if this happens ... We want people to commit one way or the other. The other piece that’s important is, as we know who the finalists are, if they have not filled out this survey, we’re going to make that known and we’re going to encourage them to do so. Refusing to answer these questions -- that is also a very important and significant decision that I think the public should know about.”

The search process has been opened up to the public for the first time. McGuire said it’s a rare opportunity for residents to have a direct role in determining the direction of their criminal justice system. He said he feels that the Criminal Justice Commission, which is conducting the search, seems to be taking the process seriously.

The ACLU will publish the applicants’ responses on its website in 2020.

Interviews for chief state’s attorney will be made public at the Legislative Office Building with a public comment period. That date has yet to be determined.

Lori Connecticut Public's Morning Edition host.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.