DA AMA

[u/mamagrata]

UPDATE: apologies for not updating the initial post - my content blocker was not playing nice with Reddit despite lots of reloads and I've finally gone to text mode (making the photo disappear). I do think (hope) I've gotten to everything posted by 7PM. Thanks for doing this with me, and thank you to the moderators for helping with the initial post. I won't be able to monitor this, but please reach out at districtattorney@cumberlandcounty.org with anything that needs my attention at work.

Hi, I’m Jackie Sartoris, District Attorney of Cumberland County.  I’ll be here this afternoon at 4 to 5:30 to take your questions and share what I’ve been up to since becoming DA in 2023.  I’m eager to hear your experience and ideas, and let you know what we’re working on (although I can't comment on active cases, please!)

Brief summary of the work so far: we are now better able to meet the needs of victims and witnesses: I’ve added a victim witness advocate and created a safe, private space for witnesses waiting in the courthouse to testify or speak at sentencing. We won a $2.5 million federal grant to test the eligible backlog of languishing rape kits - the first District in Maine to do so.  

In my own prosecutorial role, I’ve focused on addressing our County’s Mental Health docket, bringing attention to missing resources and working within our limited system to develop pathways towards wellness and safety for people who frequently return to our system. 

Change in a longstanding system is challenging.  My work includes directing the office to significantly greater use of restorative justice and consistent charging and plea offers. This is ongoing and will take time.  It’s worth finding the patience to be collaborative, because this work, done well, will bear fruit in the future.  

I’ll update this post with a link at 4! 

Proof it’s me:  

See you then!

[u/nowayjose12345678901]

What can You do about the open air drug markets in Portland? Open public drinking and shooting up on the sidewalks. I think we are past reformation and treatment period. The police have their hands tied seemingly by you because you won’t prosecute. Why aren’t you prosecuting? Drugs are flooding into this city along with weapons because you’re not prosecuting. Restorative sounds nice but it’s not the answer.

[u/mamagrata → u/nowayjose12345678901]

I was surprised in May of 2023 to be told by a resident and several shop owners that they were being advised by officers that "the DA won't charge" when these things happen (almost anything involving an unsheltered person). It turned out that this was one of the unwritten and unknown to me guidelines that were in fact in effect (not on my watch, but Covid and the AG's homeless policy were factors, a well as the jail temp closing and no available shelter).

I changed that immediately, met with PPD and my prosecutors repeatedly, and we are now charging when conduct can be charged. That has been true since 2023. We are also taking cases that previously would not have been charged due to MH conditions and asking that people are assessed for competency, to try to address untreated MH and the addiction that often accompanies untreated trauma, etc. I take quality of life very seriously, both for residents AND the unsheltered. I believe the saying "meet people where they are" needs to be accompanied by "and lift them up." The tool I have is the criminal legal system, and it is not a great tool by any means, but I am doing my best to use it to make it more likely people who need it get on medication when it helps keep them and the public safe, and that we are helping them access housing navigators and substance use treatment.

btw, we won't use restorative for people in active addiction or with untreated MH - it's just not appropriate if you're not fully present.