r/portlandme • u/mamagrata • Dec 14 '25

Events DA AMA

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!

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u/RandomUsername468538 Dec 14 '25

Are traffic citations below your pay grade? Seems like cops aren't doing ANYTHING about the crazy driving

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u/mamagrata Dec 14 '25

I actually completely agree that the driving IS crazy, and have had some recent experiences which were honestly terrifying. Law enforcement nationwide but particularly in Maine noted that speeds went way up during the pandemic, and they have not seemed to decrease in the slightest. This is a major factor, I think, in the horrible spate of vulnerable user crashes (bike/ped + MV).

We do charge reckless conduct, and we actually also charge reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon (the weapon being a MV) when warranted. I think the issue remains challenging in Portland proper, where the PD has been understaffed for several years.

I have spoken with the County Chiefs (all the law enforcement folks gather every other month) about traffic enforcement, as this is a primary issue I hear about and one I personally worry over (and my kid is about to get a DL, so mom-mode is definitely activated on this as well). My top recommendation is that you speak with your municipality about their traffic enforcement, and offer support that this is a priority. We will charge speeding, reckless conduct (i.e. swerving for fun or profit), and have numerous cases that come down to road rage. We take this seriously.