BILL FAZIO ATTORNEY AT LAW

Transcription

1 BILL FAZIO ATTORNEY AT LAW 234 VAN NESS AVENUE $ SAN FRANCISCO, CA $ (415) $ FAX: (415) BERNAL HEIGHTS DEMOCRATIC CLUB To District Attorney Candidates: District Attorney Questionnaire 2011 Name Bill Fazio Address 234 Van Ness ave. City, State, Zip San Francisco, CA Campaign phone number Cell phone number Williamfazio@yahoo.com 1. Please tell us why are you running for office and provide a brief summary of your qualifications for this office. I am running for District Attorney because I bring an experienced and balanced approach to the field of criminal justice.

2 By any objective standard, 20 years experience as a San Francisco prosecutor successfully handling some of the most notorious cases in our recent history, coupled with over 15 years experience as a prominent defense attorney give me a balanced approach to the administration of justice. None of the other candidates have ever been in a San Francisco court room. And at least two, including the interim appointed District Attorney, have never been in a courtroom, anywhere. I am a native San Franciscan and along with my wife, a native Pacific Islander, have raised three children who have attended San Francisco public schools. I have been a community leader; president of my neighborhood association, active in union activities; president of the Municipal Attorneys Association; active in local Bar Associations, board member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, recognized by clients and colleagues for expertise in the field; highest rating by Matindale-Hubbel, member of the prestigious National College of Trial Attorneys, and selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer for six consecutive years. Based on my personal experiences actually trying several Death Penalty cases I will NEVER seek the Death Penalty. Based on my experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney the three strikes law will only be used as a viable tool to keep the most violent and serious offenders off the streets.

3 2. If elected, what will be your top three priorities? To correct and rectify the: A. Lack of competency and respect for the office by the community and lack of pride in leadership by the members of the office. B. Poor conviction rate due to the above and lack of community outreach. C. No identifiable goals by the current administration. 3. What do you believe to be the most important services that have been provided by the District Attorney s office to the City and County of San Francisco over the past five years? What additional services would you work to provide? The District Attorney is the only prosecutor of criminal offenses for the City and County of San Francisco. As such the DA decides what crimes to pursue based on knowledge of the law and the communities want and needs. The DA must be aware of the culture of the community that is represented by the office. The DA must also work towards cutting back on recidivism and providing outlets and programs to PREVENT crime by working and partnering with social agencies set up specifically for those goals. 4. Do you support California s TRUST ACT which allows local governments to opt out of S-Comm? Please explain your position. NO, as member of the DCCC I supported member David Campos in his opposition to the ACT.

4 5. What actions will you take to ensure that undocumented youth are not handed over to ICE without receiving due process? No cooperation with agencies that due not follow the wish of San Franciscans. 6. Have you/will you direct file to try minors as adults? Please explain your position. No, I believe the Juvenile probation department is better suited for that determination. 7. How do you feel about the Police commission? Is it serving adequately? I am currently not familiar with any recent work. In my experience as a defense attorney it was sorely lacking direction and discretion and timeliness. 8. Do you believe Federal law enforcement agencies working with the SFPD should abide by city laws? Yes. 9. What is your personal view on the death penalty? Would you ever seek a death penalty conviction regardless of your personal view? Based on my nearly 15 years as a homicide prosecutor in San Francisco I will NEVER seek the death penalty. Do you favor: 10. The three strikes law?

5 Only for violent and serious felonies and only by an experienced prosecutor who has lived and worked in San Francisco and knows its values. 11. The legalization and taxation of marijuana? Yes as to both. 12. Reducing prison overcrowding and the drain on our economy by decreasing penalties for minor drug offenses and other victimless crimes? Yes as to both. 13. How will you attempt to acquire more funding and reduce costs for your department? Because of my institutional knowledge of the San Francisco criminal justice system I am best suited to rearrange and cut the fat because I know where it is. 14. Are you registered as a member of a political party? If so, which, and when did you register? I am a Democrat and have always been. I am an elected member of the DCCC. 15. Whom did you support in the last two presidential elections? Whom do you currently support for president in 2012? Kerry, Obama, Obama.

6