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By Guy Page
The departing Caledonia County State’s Attorney lays responsibility for the county’s climbing drug crime and violence at the feet of a bail-averse, city-controlled Vermont Legislature, according to a feature news story in today’s Caledonian-Record, the daily newspaper published in St. Johnsbury.
Prosecutor Jessica Zaleski, appointed in 2019 and re-elected in 2022, is going home to North Dakota at the end of this month to care for her aging parents. She spoke candidly Monday evening in Danville to the Caledonia County Republican Committee, which will recommend her replacement to Gov. Phil Scott.
To read the entire account, click here. There is a modest paywall to read all of the news and commentary in the long-running, family-owned newspaper. Here are a few of Zaleski’s quotes that appear in the news story authored by Editor Dana Gray.
Fewer effective remedies –
“There used to be a lot harsher penalties, a lot higher rates of incarcerating people, immediate responses to violent behavior. I’m not seeing as much of that as I would like to see.”
Mental health, substance abuse root cause –
“Nine times out of ten the causes are substances, mental health, or alcohol. And the criminal justice system is being tasked with being a mental health counselor, a substance abuse counselor … It’s not equipped to do that. The criminal justice system was not designed to deal with drug addiction. It was designed to deal with criminal behavior and trying to stop harm and get justice for victims…..Whatever is going on with substance abuse treatment here, from my perspective—seeing it every day—it’s not working.”
Inadequate bail laws –
“The bail statute infuriates me on a daily basis; it makes me want to pull my hair out. You can’t impose bail unless they’re a flight risk or have no community ties. And that’s hard to prove.”
On perception of leniency –
“I don’t think there’s a general attitude of leniency. I think what the state of Vermont is trying to do—rightfully—is strike a balance between punishing criminal behavior and addressing its causes. The American criminal justice system is the best in the world, no doubt, but it’s not perfect. It relies on humans making and enforcing laws, and we just do the best we can every day.”
Urban-controlled Legislature –
“The Vermont Legislature’s heart is in the right place, but when you have the power in the legislature coming from the larger urban areas, what works for them is not going to work for us.”
What concerned Vermonters should do –
“Speak with the people doing this work—your local law enforcement, probation officers, court staff. Ask how they’re doing. And voice your concerns to policymakers. Even if the laws as written aren’t always on our side, it sends a message: ‘We’re not going to take it, and we’re going to stand up for what’s right.’”
Claire Burns will serve as interim state’s attorney until Governor Scott announces a permanent appointment.
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Categories: Public Safety
Interesting to read about an attorney being concerned about the functions of the in-power- attorneys and noting how VT has declined. The root of all evil. Yup the VT cities control VT. Good future luck to
Prosecutor Jessica Zaleski,
It is remarkable that someone in as high authority in law enforcement as Ms. Zaleski has publicly called out this elephant in the room. Good for her. Too bad she’s leaving Vermont. When Burlington Police Chief Murad did that, it didn’t go so well for him.
The lack of moral, judicial, and legislative will in Vermont to bring desperately needed reform to our criminal legal system has been terribly frustrating. Phil Scott has mentioned public safety as his priority two years in a row now in his State of the State address, but it seems like so much hot air. No one seems to be advancing anything of substance to bring bail reform and swift, stern penalties for VOC and VOP. DUIs continue to pile up, while these potential behind-the-wheel killers get no appropriate deterrent consequences. Child molesters, except maybe the most high-profile cases, hardly get any consequences of substance, while they ought to receive the most severe to get them out of circulation.
Ironically, it was two Lamoille County Democrats who did sponsor a bill back in January to address some of these issues and create solid legislation for criminal justice reform with teeth in it. Can anyone guess what happened to that bill? It has to do with a wall, and not the kind that is built to keep illegal aliens out, but the kind that bills hang on to die under the despotic control of woke, wimpy, committee chairmen like LaLonde and Baruch who don’t truly represent their constituents, but the demonic Marxist agendas they advance.
*Baruth