SUFFOLK COUNTY’S interim District Attorney Kevin Hayden fended off a strong challenge from Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo in Tuesday’s acrimony-filled Democratic primary for district attorney, in a tough night across the state for reform-minded district attorney candidates. Two other progressive politicians seeking their county’s top prosecutorial position also lost their races: Berkshire County incumbent […]
Andrea Harrington
Posted inCriminal Justice
Berkshire district attorney aims to open ‘black box’ of plea negotiations
MOST CRIMINAL CASES never make it to trial. Nationally, around 90 to 95 percent of cases are resolved through a guilty plea, where the prosecutor and defendant reach a negotiated agreement. While plea deals must be approved by a judge, the agreement is negotiated behind closed doors. That leaves researchers and legal practitioners with little […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Rollins rolls to big win in Suffolk DA race
AGAINST THE BACKDROP of a national rethinking of criminal justice policies, Suffolk County residents voted for big change in the district attorney’s office as Rachael Rollins, a former federal prosecutor running on strong reform platform, topped a five-way Democratic primary field in the contest to replace incumbent Dan Conley, who did not seek reelection. Change […]