Local prosecutors hold extraordinary power in the criminal legal system. How they exercise discretion at each stage of case proceedings determines whether the justice system is fair, equitable, and transparent. Prosecutors have played a central role in driving the crisis of mass incarceration by using punitive measures as a first, rather than last, resort. This approach has not made communities safer. Instead, it has driven racial disparities in the justice system, exacerbated socioeconomic instability in vulnerable communities, and has caused deep and widespread trauma for communities who have been subjected to unnecessary, lengthy, and brutal incarceration.
Prosecutors also wield significant influence as policymakers and civic leaders, and can work with legislators, judges, public defenders, law enforcement, and formerly incarcerated individuals and their communities to advance justice through policy reforms. The questions below reflect the New York Working Families Party’s vision for safer communities, an end to mass incarceration, and a fairer, more just society. We believe that reform-minded District Attorneys play a key role in achieving this vision and that they must take concrete action to advance these goals.
The New York Working Families Party is a grassroots, multiracial party of working people coming together across our differences to build a New York that cares for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. We elect transformational leaders and build durable, independent progressive power in communities up and down the state. We want our candidates to help build our historic bloc — our long-term alliance of voters, constituencies, organizations and social forces — to win governing power so that we can deliver real material victories for our people and transform power structures in 2024 and beyond.
The best WFP candidates run on our issues, build our larger governing bloc, deploy winning teams and strategy, demonstrate their commitment to co-governance and accountability, and work with us to build the WFP.