Punk D for AG...Take Two

punk d

punk d

TNPer
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Hello all,

Well the Punk is back.

I always like campaigning, one of my favorite things in the game. I've won some, I've lost some. Most recently I lost the election for Attorney General to the highly qualified Abbey Anumia. Unfortunately, RL, as it is wont to do, interjected and she is unable to run again.

I am presenting myself to you all as a candidate again for the office of Attorney General. As I stated in my last campaign, this office is very important to me and I believe it is an office that demonstrates the might or lack thereof of the judicial system within TNP. Because we have a region with so many personalities, we will always be faced with court issues. And I believe my talents would serve the region well as the AG.

I am going to find my platform from a month ago as it it has not changed. Summarized:

  • Closeout all open cases
  • Create deputy AGs to cover cases/serve as back ups
  • Prosecute all cases without discrimination

I welcome and hope for any questions you may have for me. :)
 
Thank you for the question.

There are a number of cases in limbo, meaning they have been open for some time with no activity. So my plan is to go through them all and close them out either working with the parties on a settlement or moving them to trial.

Closeout probably wasn't the best choice of words, but basically move the cases out of limbo.
 
Here's my origiinal platform:

  • Get moving on present cases
    This is priority number one and I plan to rank cases and acting first on those cases that most affect the region. For example, the charges pending against Eluvatar would be priority number One. Within 72 hours of taking office, I shall present said prioritization to the parties of each case and if anyone believes their case to be prioritizes inaccurately, I will hear their concerns and make adjustments wherever possible. I plan to take no longer than 2 weeks to move on all cases. What 'move' means may be different in each case. Some cases may go to trial but in ALL cases I will use the office to try to negotiate settlements between the two parties so that we can avoid a trial save in those cases where the parties cannot agree.
  • Develop an Attorney General's office
    I plan to develop a staff of Deputy Attorney Generals. I believe there are a number of people who would like to serve as an AG on an ad hoc basis and I would like to develop the skill/expertise for the betterment of the region. Developing a Rolodex, if you will, of attorneys who can serve the region will enable the region to prosecute cases more timely and ensure that prosecutions are performed expertly.
  • Reform laws pertaining to the Attorney General's office
    We definitely need to reform the AG laws. This will need the support and approval from the RA, but as the Attorney General, I shall seek guidance from the RA to make sure the RA either likes the current laws or would like to update them. However the RA decides, as the region's AG I shall execute their wishes to the best of my ability. My personal feelings shall be expressed during the discussion but however the RA decides to change or not change the role of the AG I will comply with the RA. I believe that in roles like the AG and court justices one should set aside one's personal feelings and serve the region. If you elect me to this post, I shall do this.
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I have a question for you as a candidate for Attorney General - what will your stance be on the half a dozen cases which were blocked by former Attorney General Grosseschnauzer and have now faded away. A motion has been made by Blue Wolf for these cases to be reinstated, what will your position be on that?
 
Kingborough:
I have a question for you as a candidate for Attorney General - what will your stance be on the half a dozen cases which were blocked by former Attorney General Grosseschnauzer and have now faded away. A motion has been made by Blue Wolf for these cases to be reinstated, what will your position be on that?
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Well above in my platform I answer this question for the most part. I think things may be different with Eluvatar and I will check with the person who filed the complaint to see if they wish to pursue the matter further as I believe Eluvatar will probably not likely be the delegate at that time.

But make no mistake within 72 hours of assuming office there will be a clear and transparent direction presented by my office. The office will either have settled the matter or I will be bringing forth the charges to the justices.

You have brought a case of fraud against Grosse. As the AG, it is...err..would be my responsibility to present the case in front of the court. I plan to do just such a thing if elected.

The burden of proof, in my opinion, rests with the prosecution to demonstrate the guilt of the defendants in any case and as the region's AG I will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

The one caveat I would like to state is that I think we should have a quasi grand jury process to determine the merit of a case. This won't affect current cases, but I do believe we need a system that takes evidence and decides whether or not their is sufficient evidence to prosecute. I don't believe this should be the job of the AG because there are way too many bad things that can come from that.

Instead I would favor a system where the AG's office presents evidence to the sitting justices and if one of the justices feels there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, the AG prosecutes. If all three agree not to prosecute, then the AG does not and the charges are dropped pending any new evidence.

But I am determined to "move" (see above) on all cases within a very short period of time after taking office and I am hopeful that the region will allow me to serve as the AG.
 
punk d:
Thank you for the question.

There are a number of cases in limbo, meaning they have been open for some time with no activity. So my plan is to go through them all and close them out either working with the parties on a settlement or moving them to trial.

Closeout probably wasn't the best choice of words, but basically move the cases out of limbo.
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I don't see how the parties could seek a settlement in a criminal case, surely this would only be applicable in a civil case?
 
Well, some are criminal complaints. it is possible that the people who brought forth the complaints could withdraw those complaints. It is also possible that both parties could agree on a particular settlement and/or punishment without the use of a trial.

I plan to try to settle all cases without trial, but if that is not possible I plan to bring cases where a settlement cannot be reached to trial as quickly as possible.

To summarize, as the AG I will seek to settle cases out of court as much as possible. When that is not possible my office will bring cases to trial expeditiously.
 
Anyone other questions? Questions not relevant to the AG are fine too.

My favorite color is green.
 
Well you seem to have thought it out which I respect but don't you think it might be a bit over the top to have multiple deputies? And to prosecute all cases? Some cases have little to no basis to them at times.
 
Kiwi:
Well you seem to have thought it out which I respect but don't you think it might be a bit over the top to have multiple deputies? And to prosecute all cases? Some cases have little to no basis to them at times.
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Over the top to have multiple deputies? Hmm...I don't think so and here's why.

There are a number of cases that will come before the court and while I have confidence in my ability to prosecute any case, I do believe that the office has suffered a bit because there is not a rolodex of deputy Attorney Generals. My hope is that 2 people will volunteer for the role of deputy AG and the three of us can really create an organized, efficient, and proficient AG office. I believe there is currently enough work to go around for at least three people.

One area I have not discussed is the office producing amicus briefs - aka legal opinions from outside observers - on matters facing the court - aka "requests for rulings". The AG's office is the prosecuting arm of the region which I believe will make us the most knowledgeable of the law other than the justices. I think we could serve an additional function of preparing briefs on issues as the court has often asked the general populace to prepare such briefs prior to ruling.

And at times there are cases that have little to no basis, but present law, as I read it, requires the AG to prosecute all cases. My office will do that. My office will also seek to introduce legislation that sets a bar that incoming cases must pass in order to move to a trial stage. I believe that will help the region and the AG's office going forward, but until then I will prosecute every case. I'm not fond of that system but I actually believe that by upholding current law it will spur the changes as I believe the courts time may be taken up by cases whose merits are flimsy at best.
 
punk d:
Kiwi:
Well you seem to have thought it out which I respect but don't you think it might be a bit over the top to have multiple deputies? And to prosecute all cases? Some cases have little to no basis to them at times.
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Over the top to have multiple deputies? Hmm...I don't think so and here's why.

There are a number of cases that will come before the court and while I have confidence in my ability to prosecute any case, I do believe that the office has suffered a bit because there is not a rolodex of deputy Attorney Generals. My hope is that 2 people will volunteer for the role of deputy AG and the three of us can really create an organized, efficient, and proficient AG office. I believe there is currently enough work to go around for at least three people.

One area I have not discussed is the office producing amicus briefs - aka legal opinions from outside observers - on matters facing the court - aka "requests for rulings". The AG's office is the prosecuting arm of the region which I believe will make us the most knowledgeable of the law other than the justices. I think we could serve an additional function of preparing briefs on issues as the court has often asked the general populace to prepare such briefs prior to ruling.

And at times there are cases that have little to no basis, but present law, as I read it, requires the AG to prosecute all cases. My office will do that. My office will also seek to introduce legislation that sets a bar that incoming cases must pass in order to move to a trial stage. I believe that will help the region and the AG's office going forward, but until then I will prosecute every case. I'm not fond of that system but I actually believe that by upholding current law it will spur the changes as I believe the courts time may be taken up by cases whose merits are flimsy at best.
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I will be voting for you, I also wanna be your secretary xD


Anyway you'll have my vote, Mr. D
 
If early voting results are an indication it would appear that the electorate has not been swayed by the proposals for the office I have brought forth.

This surprises me and I do hope to gain the support of my fellow RA members. But I will seek ways to better communicate my passion and ability to serve in this office should I lose the election and definitely will support whomever is elected.

Make no mistake, I still hope to win, but my desire to run is to make an AG office that is unparalleled I am not looking for personal glory or fame.

If there are any undecided voters please feel free to ask me any of your remaining questions. It is an honor to stand for this position and I hope to one day serve the region in this role.
 
I am actually undecided on the Attorney General election, so here is a question for you, which I will also be asking to other candidates.

Should the Attorney General have discretion over which of the cases brought to their office to prosecute?
 
r3naissanc3r:
I am actually undecided on the Attorney General election, so here is a question for you, which I will also be asking to other candidates.

Should the Attorney General have discretion over which of the cases brought to their office to prosecute?
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Thanks for the question. My simple answer is no.

I say this because there would be too many instances where whoever sits in the Attorney General's seat would decide the merits of a particular case and leave too much room for cries of bias. This would undermine the AG's office and the AG's abilitiy to carry out justice because invariably there will be people on one side or the other in every case.

If we think about the case involving Eluvatar and the one Grosse has brought against King, it is not hard to see that dependent upon who holds the office of AG, some AG's would have decided to prosecute whereas others would not.

To ask your question slightly differently - should there be discretion over which cases are prosecuted by the AG's office? To that question, my answer is yes. I do believe that there should be an easy way for the region's arbiters (the justices) to determine the initial merit of a case as seen by briefs prepared by the AG's office and those of the defendant's attorney's. While the judicial system is often politicized, I believe that by enabling the justices to make this decision it removes as much bias as is possible and allows the AG to focus on prosecuting without prejudice in any and all cases that come across his/her desk.

I believe this system is the best way to allow for discretion and remove the bias inherent with an AG deciding what cases to prosecute. At present, the law seems clear that the AG must bring forth all cases presented and if elected, I will do that.

Thank you for your consideration.
 
Thank you Funk. I do hope to win this election and demonstrate that this office can work effectively.

I'm honored by the number of votes I have received thus far and am hopeful that the remaining electorate will see fit to choose me as their next Attorney General.
 
I have altered my vote after having reviewed the thread once more. The best of luck for the rest of your campaign.
 
Thank you, Kiwi.

As the election begins to wind down, for you last undecided voters, are there any final questions?
 
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