D.A. Debate - traffic justice
NYC - The race to replace Robert Morgenthau, who has served as Manhattan's District Attorney since 1975, heated up yesterday at a candidate's debate sponsored by Transportation Alternatives and the Criminal Justice Society of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Those seeking to replace the nearly nonagenarian Morganthau talked about an issue close to our hearts and minds: traffic justice. Cyrus Vance, Richard Aborn and a representative of Leslie Crocker Snyder discussed their views on vehicular crimes and the role of the District Attorney's office in protecting New Yorkers from reckless and dangerous drivers.
Some of the topics discussed included: the creation of a specific Bureau Chief for vehicular crimes; an approach to traffic justice that reflects its substantial impact on the safety and well being of New Yorkers; a nip-it-in-the-bud approach to lawless behavior such as the offense of reckless driving, which often precedes more dangerous behaviors; and a shift away from fixed, rigid notions of what constitutes an actionable case, often manifested in potential criminally negligent homicide cases.
We were very impressed with what each candidate had to say and believe that new blood will bring great changes to the Manhattan District Attorney's office. We wish each candidate the best of luck and are thrilled that these issues are finding a place in mainstream dialogues. Only time will tell if that can bring safer streets to the millions of people who travel through Manhattan each year.