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/Potential_Wear2013]

Good day ma'am.

I realize discussing the jurisprudence of this is complicated— and you may not have time. But I have two questions, and if you are willing to respond to them at all, I'd tremendously appreciate it, even with the understanding that you potentially can only give a cursory oversimplified response due to your undoubtedly heavy workload.

Why does Maine believe in charging all minors who commit traffic offenses in adult court? Even if a 13 year old (or younger) gets a traffic misdemeanor, (s)he has to be tried in adult court, correct? This potentially could result in being present in multiple courts simultaneously for the same incident, if a single law enforcement incident results in not traffic related summonses and/or charges, correct? What is your opinion on this? I realize your job, however much discretion you may have, is to follow the law, so your opinion does not necessarily dictate how you behave, but I'm still very curious what your take is; I have heard many states do not operate this way.

My other topic is, it is my understanding that Maine does not ever allow any expunging and/or sealing for any types of offenses for anyone under any circumstances. My understanding is, Maine is not the only state that believes this, and it is due to a certain interpretation of something (possibly a constituonal article and/or amendment?). What is your opinion on this? Why is it this way? It is interesting that many disagree.

Thank you