Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney hopefuls hold debate

Candidates for Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney talked about how they could improve Danville and why they are the better than their opponents during a debate Thursday afternoon.

The Ministerial Alliance of Danville and Vicinity hosted the forum at Liberty Hill Baptist Church. Jim Martin, Claudette Robertson and Michael Newman attended.

Martin said he would establish a drug court, which would give certain offenders treatment instead of incarceration. He also said he would talk with legislators about changing grand jury laws. Grand juries are not required when a preliminary hearing is held. Usually during those hearings, the judge will either certify the case to circuit court or dismiss it.

Robertson said the office needs to make changes to better Danville. Those changes include open file dis-covery, a practice that allows defense attorneys to see their client’s entire file. She said witnesses’ identity and safety can be protected by redacting personal information or withholding certain documents.

She also said that she would streamline the grand jury process and allow a police officer to present other officers’ minor cases to the grand jury. Investigators would still be required to testify, as would officers involved in violent offenses. Robertson said making the grand jury process more efficient for police would save the city money spent on overtime and keep more police officers on the street.

Newman said the office would continue to prosecute and convict violent offenders.

“It’s not about running a law firm,” he said, adding that the commonwealth’s attorney has to be proactive and focus on victims.

Martin said he is the most qualified of the three candidates, citing his 18 years of experience as a prosecutor. He added that he has experience as a defense attorney and running a law firm as well. He opened Martin & Martin Law Firm in 2007.

Robertson said that the commonwealth’s attorney is the president of the law firm.

“Trial experience is a must, but it’s not the only skill you need to have to succeed,” she said.

The election also is about personality, she added.

“It’s about what kind of person you want to lead the city of Danville in the commonwealth’s attorney office through the next 20, 30 or 40 years,” Robertson said.

Newman said he has the most trial experience of any of his opponents.

“I have actually been in the courtroom,” he said.

Newman added that he would be proactive to prevent violent crimes as well as prosecute them.

The candidates took written questions from the audience toward the end of the forum. One of the questions asked whom each candidate would vote for if he or she wasn’t running.

Newman and Robertson said they would vote for Martin, who dodged the question by saying he would write in Robert Adams Jr. Adams is a senior assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Danville. He is not running.