Do you believe the Norfolk County DA’s office needs to make changes, and if so, what kind?
Yes, I have a proven record as a change agent and change is desperately needed in the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office: change in the culture of law enforcement, in policies, and in approach. Norfolk County deserves more professionalism, more transparency, and less embarrassment. All residents of Norfolk County need a District Attorney who will lead and build a new culture where everyone is protected from unlawful police misconduct, personal biases, and discriminatory behavior.
Macy’s Top Priorities
Divert or dismiss simple drug possession cases
Ensure language access in the criminal legal system
Reduce violent crime
Reduce corruption
Support crime victims
Educate the public about the policies, practices and changes in the prosecutors’ office
Prioritize domestic and sexual violence initiatives
Hold law enforcement accountable
Restore public faith in the justice system
Establish a Veterans court
Protect at-risk senior citizens
Guarantee constitutional rights
Prevent recidivism
Other: Establish an Emerging Adult Court of Hope in Norfolk County so as to provide an alternative to incarceration for individuals between the ages of 18 to 24 – emerging adults who are at a critical developmental stage. I would also create a Conviction Integrity Unit to review all cases involving Michael Proctor and Sean Goode.
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Charge criminal offenders
Divert or dismiss simple drug possession cases
Ensure language access in the criminal legal system
Make sure all people have adequate access to legal help and the legal system
Negotiate with defense attorneys to resolve cases via plea bargain
Prepare for and represent the state in bench and jury trials
Reduce violent crime
Remove violent offenders from the community
Reduce corruption
Support crime victims
Educate the public about the policies, practices and changes in the prosecutors’ office
Prioritize domestic and sexual violence initiatives
Hold law enforcement accountable
Restore public faith in the justice system
Establish a Veterans court
Protect at-risk senior citizens
Guarantee constitutional rights
Prevent recidivism
Other
Please say a little more about what priorities you chose and why.
First, I will create a Conviction Integrity Unit whose sole purpose is to review every case involving Michael Proctor and Sean Goode to determine whether their personal biases against women, BIPOC, Jews, and Muslims affected any convictions. Second, I will overhaul the longstanding culture of law enforcement by sending a clear message that personal biases have no place in public safety. Third, I will remove any cultural and language barriers for Norfolk County's immigrant community.
Do you believe it is your job to support:
✅ = yes ❌ = no ⚫️ = no response
✅ Expanded pre-trial services
✅ Alternatives to incarceration
✅ Diversion programs for youth offenders
✅ Diversion programs for mental health-based offenses
✅ Diversion programs for substance abuse related offenses
✅ Children being arrested in school for discipline-based offenses
✅ Expanding access to legal help within the legal system
✅ Devoting funding and staff time to community-based incarceration alternatives
✅ Victims who want to pursue criminal charges and no contact orders
✅ Victims who do not want to pursue criminal charges and no contact orders
✅ Limiting the use of cash bail in misdemeanor and low-level felony cases
❌ Holding youth in adult jails at any point in the adjudication process
✅ The limiting of misdemeanor non-dangerous offenses
✅ Immigrants that are concerned about possible deportation
✅ Clear public guidelines around the use of sentencing enhancements
✅ Use of independent prosecutors to investigate alleged police brutality
✅ Making the DA’s office more demographically representative
✅ Use of alternative metrics to conviction rates for measuring prosecutor performance
✅ Collecting and sharing de-identified trial and demographic data with the public, including bail and plea bargain offerings
✅ Use of an “open file” policy that provides defendants with information about their prosecution as early as possible
✅ Publicly sharing information on funding received through civil asset forfeiture
✅ Reducing re-incarceration for those who have violated probation
✅ Publicize policies you will advocate for as part of the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association (MDAA)
Download our full candidate issue comparison
Please take 2 items in the above list and explain why this issue is or is not a priority for you, should you become DA.
Item 1: Collecting and sharing de-identified trial and demographic data with the public, including bail and plea bargain offerings
As a public and elected office, residents of Norfolk County have a right to know and understand de-identified trial and demographic data with the public, including bail and plea bargain offerings. This information should be available on the office website and will foster public trust. The staff at DA's Office should also represent the demographically diverse population of Norfolk County. This will remove cultural and language differences between the office and the community.
Item 2: Holding youth in adult jails at any point in the adjudication process
I do not support holding youth in adult jails at any point in the adjudication process, including those charged with murder. For example, if a juvenile is convicted for murder, and under 18 years old when sentenced, the law requires them to be hold out of the sight and hearing of adults. They must be held in DYS until they turn 18 and then transferred to prison. There is no justifiable reason that a youth should ever be held with adults.