Clarity on the January 30, 2023 Joint Hearing on Criminal Justice Data
In light of Chris Churchill’s Albany Times Union article, Churchill: State lawmakers don’t want to hear David Soares, (February 26, 2023), the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York (DAASNY), would like to respond to comments made by a spokesperson for the New York State Senate Democrats.
Specifically, assertions were made that DAASNY, and DAASNY staff are being dishonest about the circumstances surrounding the Monday, January 30, 2023 Joint Hearing on Criminal Justice Data. This claim is inaccurate and undermines the credibility of our organization.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023, before written testimony was submitted by DAASNY, a call was made to DAASNY’s Executive Director, stating that the Senate Majority would prefer not to have Albany County District Attorney David Soares present the testimony. The caller made it clear that the objection was not based on the content of the testimony, but rather because DA Soares has been a vocal critic of the impact of changes to the criminal justice system in minority neighborhoods.
A follow-up phone call between Senate Counsel’s office and DAASNY occurred before 8 a.m. on the day of the hearing, when DAASNY acquiesced to their request. The purpose was to minimize distractions in hopes of having a productive conversation about the calamitous effects of the criminal justice reforms on black and brown communities.
“Mr. Murphy’s claims to the contrary are baseless, especially since he was not on either of those telephone calls,” said DAASNY President and Washington County District Attorney J. Anthony Jordan, who appeared at the hearing in place of DA Soares.
“To go on to say, as Mr. Murphy does, that the Senate and Assembly ‘accepted’ the written testimony of DA Soares is also inaccurate. The written testimony was submitted at the hearing by me, not by Mr. Soares,” said President Jordan.
“To set the record straight, I was disinvited from a hearing, where I intended to explain the devastating impact of recent changes to the criminal justice system,” said Albany County District Attorney David Soares, a former DAASNY President.
“While lawmakers attempted to silence me, I am not a victim; the real victims here are those suffering from the effects of violent crime, for whom I fight. Recent criminal justice reforms have sent the wrong signal to criminals; a green light. The most devastating impact is clearly seen in black and brown communities. Victims in these communities are not just data points; they’re people. As such, their stories need to be told. If the Legislature is ever willing to listen, I will share those stories,” said DA Soares.
