ANTHONY M.

NEDDO FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY

1838 State Street
Watertown, New York 13601
www.anthonyneddo.org

NEDDO STATEMENT AS ELECTION APPROACHES

In the criminal justice system, there is no more important role at the county level than that of the District Attorney. As the
chief law enforcement officer in Jefferson County, the District Attorney is primarily responsible for the prosecution of
criminal offenders. But the job entails much more than just being the communitys prosecutor. It is about providing
leadership and vision within every facet of the criminal justice system.
A District Attorney should lead by coordinating the other critical players in the system in a manner that provides effective
yet efficient justice for the citizens of Jefferson County. Effectiveness means achieving justice; not merely convicting
someone for the sake of numbers. Justice ensures that the right disposition of an offender is achieved through restoring
victims, ensuring public safety through increased deterrence, rehabilitation or incarceration and enhancing public
confidence in the law. Efficiency means that the system is properly coordinated so that justice is as swift as can be, and
the overall cost of providing criminal justice is controlled because of system effectiveness.
The District Attorney should set the tone about handling criminal offenders and those who may choose to violate the law
should understand and heed that tone. The public, and crime victims, in particular, should feel confident that the District
Attorney is there for them in court and throughout the entire justice process. In fact, coordinating and providing thorough
services for victims is an essential task of the District Attorney.
In my own personal experience practicing law in Jefferson County, Ive been on both sides in the courtroom. I was an
Assistant District Attorney several years ago and Ive been a private attorney in a small business for the last thirteen years
handling, among other things, criminal defense. I have been witness to a justice system that is not swift but in fact often
lags. This is not fair to either the victim or the offender. As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied. And in the
end, delays cost taxpayers money by causing an over-crowded jail and increased indigent legal bills. And, equally
important, delay in the criminal process causes injustice by leading to failed prosecutions and an erosion of public
confidence in the law. Each of these ill effects makes our community less safe.
I believe that an effective and efficient justice system demands a new level of leadership. I will be a District Attorney who
will provide this leadership. I will use the opportunity to redefine our communitys effort at stemming the ever-increasing
heroin epidemic by advocating for increased prison sentences for those who are convicted of trafficking this or other
dangerous drugs. Our State law allows for early release of drug offenders after a six (6) month prison program so long as
that person has three years or less of time owing on their prison sentence. So, as your District Attorney, I will advocate for
sentences beyond this three year period so that a drug trafficker has a punitive element to his or her sentence.
It truly is unfortunate that people are now relying on the criminal justice system as a means to address the heroin
epidemic. Those persons who are addicted to heroin, opiates and other dangerous drugs need help before they lead a life
of crime. Today, the tools needed to combat any drug abuse -- education, rehabilitation, enforcement, and accountability
-- seem to be mutually exclusive in our society.
As your District Attorney, I will lead an effort to reconcile the tools needed to reduce the harm that follows from the heroin
epidemic. I understand the importance of education and rehabilitation for those who suffer addiction. Offering to those
who are convicted of non-violent offenses and who suffer addiction an opportunity to change by structured rehabilitation
is a vital tool in the criminal justice system. And, it is economically advantageous to society to rehabilitate an addict rather
than to simply lock him or her up. More importantly, it is the right thing to do; it is the just thing to do.
To this end, our community needs more resources. I will advocate for greater funding from our legislative officials at all
levels of government. The legislative branch of our government ought to devote more resources to increase the
opportunities for education and rehabilitation. They dont need to tax more, but simply allocate some of the vast amounts
of money they already collect and manage their budgets appropriately. Again, it is the right thing to do; it is the just thing
to do.
It must be clear that as your District Attorney, my primary goal is keeping you and your family safe -- by systematically
revising the manner in which we plea bargain with drugs dealers and addicts to making sure those persons who commit
serious crimes or repeatedly commit crimes are dealt with proportionately with the crimes committed by them. The
recidivism rates must be reduced. Keeping this community safe requires effective prosecution and appropriate sentences
when it matters. I will advocate for tougher sentences when a person commits a violent offense or when a repeat offender
simply cannot stop committing crimes. Deterrence is the key to a successful strategy and deterring crime is essentially the
means to safer communities. You and your family deserve nothing less from the District Attorney. We need real leadership
to make a change. For the sake of our children, we cannot tolerate the status quo.
On November 3rd, you have the opportunity to vote for leadership in the District Attorneys office. I will be that leader. I
ask for your support on Election Day.

Anthony M. Neddo, Esq.