who replaced tj donovan chittenden county vermont district attorney

Who is Chittenden County Attorney General Dan Donovan?

He won in the general election on November 3, 2020. Before he won election to the state attorney general's office in 2016, Donovan served as state's attorney for Chittenden County, a post he was first elected to in 2006. While there, Donovan established the county's Rapid Intervention Criminal Court system.

Will Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan intervene in attempted murder case?

Photo by Kit Norton/VTDigger Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan has intervened in an attempted murder case previously dropped by Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George. The case is expected to be refiled and result in a plea deal.

Who is Chittenden's State Attorney General?

Before he won election to the state attorney general's office in 2016, Donovan served as state's attorney for Chittenden County, a post he was first elected to in 2006. While there, Donovan established the county's Rapid Intervention Criminal Court system.

Who is the Vermont Attorney General?

In 2012, Donovan challenged incumbent Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell in the Democratic Party primary. Donovan campaigned, among other things, for access under the Access to Public Records Act to police investigations and the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

Who did TJ Donovan beat?

He competed with H. Brooke Paige in the August 9 Democratic primary election. T.J. Donovan defeated Deborah Bucknam and Rosemarie Jackowski in the Vermont attorney general election. T.J. Donovan defeated H. Brooke Paige in the Democratic primary for attorney general.

What happened to Donovan in 2012?

On June 13, 2012, one day before Vermont's 2012 primary candidate filing deadline, The Seven Days weekly newspaper published a story revealing that at age 18, 20 years prior, Donovan was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after a drunken bar brawl. The story stemmed from a letter the newspaper received from an anonymous informant early in the week, the contents of which were verified by Donovan. Donovan followed the story's release with a statement of admission about his previously-unknown criminal history. He elaborated on why that charge, which was reduced to a misdemeanor and ultimately expunged from his record, should not undermine his suitability to serve as the state's top law enforcement officer. Donovan told the paper that while he was ashamed of the incident, along with what he called other youthful indiscretions, the experiences provided him with an understanding about the legal and personal struggles substance abusers face. He said those things benefited him as a prosecutor—in particular, the value of giving first-time offenders a second chance. "I would say this gives me great insight into what we can do differently in the criminal justice system. I’ve lived it and I’ve tried to give back through the work I’ve done as a prosecutor," he said, citing examples of when he has used his personal history as a teachable moment for teens he has dealt with in court. When probed for comment on the revelation that his primary challenger had a criminal record, then-attorney general Bill Sorrell said, “I’m sure that whatever happened, he regrets, and it’s in the past and that’s where I’m going to leave it.” Donovan, who refered to himself as a "social drinker" said he was not surprised to encounter a report of this nature surfacing only months before an election.

What did Donovan say about his criminal history?

Donovan followed the story's release with a statement of admission about his previously-unknown criminal history. He elaborated on why that charge, which was reduced to a misdemeanor and ultimately expunged from his record, should not undermine his suitability to serve as the state's top law enforcement officer.

Who won the 2018 Vermont General Election?

Incumbent T.J. Donovan defeated Janssen Willhoit and Rosemarie Jackowski in the general election for Attorney General of Vermont on November 6, 2018.

Where did John Donovan go to college?

A product of the Burlington public school system, Donovan went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. He remained in Massachusetts after graduation to attend law school at Suffolk University ...

When is the next term for Donovan?

Donovan ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Attorney General of Vermont. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Who is the mayor of Rutland, Vermont?

Before officially launching his campaign, Donovan had already received endorsements from more than 100 Vermont lawyers and several endorsements from the right, including from Republican Mayor of Rutland, Chris Louras, who issued his statement of "wholehearted" support on May 9. In the statement, Mayor Louras said, "To me, T.J. represents an opportunity for new energy, new ideas, and greater engagement on the issues Rutland’s citizens care about most," citing his trust in his capability to reform the state's criminal justice system to focus more on prevention than arrests. He received another key endorsement on June 28 from The Vermont State Employees Association, an influential union comprised of about 6,400 state workers. Donovan credited what he called his status as a “middle class guy” for gaining the VSEA's and other major unions' support.

Who ran against Donovan in 2012?

In 2012, Donovan challenged incumbent Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell in the Democratic Party primary. Donovan campaigned, among other things, for access under the Access to Public Records Act to police investigations and the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. One of his focuses in the campaign was to highlight the opioid epidemic afflicting Vermont communities. Donovan lost the hotly contested primary by 714 votes, with Sorrell receiving 21,124 votes to Donovan's 20,410. During the last weeks of the primary, a super PAC with unknown donors ran advertisements for the incumbent narrated by former Governor Howard Dean.

When was Donovan reelected?

Donovan was re-elected in 2010 and 2014. In 2010, Donovan started the Rapid Intervention Community Court ("RICC"), an award-winning criminal justice program made available to non-violent offenders whose crimes have been driven by addiction or mental illness.

What did Donovan call for in 2015?

In his October 2015 announcement for the Democratic Party nomination for Vermont Attorney General, Donovan called for the abolition of the use of private prisons in Vermont. He stated, "No more private prisons. End the contracts with the for-profit companies ... and bring the Vermonters home.

How many children does Donovan have?

The couple has two children. During his 2012 campaign for Vermont Attorney General, Donovan acknowledged his arrest for assault as a teenager. In a plea bargain, the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, and Donovan received a deferred sentence. His record was expunged after he completed the terms of his plea agreement.

What is Donovan's philosophy?

Donovan has focused on ultimate outcomes not only for the victims of crime but for the perpetrators in order to reduce recidivism and rehabilitate offenders. Donovan often summarized his approach by stating he believes that "the best form of public safety is a good job.".

What is Donovan's approach to crime?

While Donovan has focused on prosecuting serious crime, and particularly violent crime, he has attempted an innovative approach to persons struggling with addiction and poverty who end up in the criminal justice system. Donovan has focused on ultimate outcomes not only for the victims of crime but for the perpetrators in order to reduce recidivism and rehabilitate offenders. Donovan often summarized his approach by stating he believes that "the best form of public safety is a good job."

Where is Donovan from?

Donovan began his legal career in the District Attorney's Office of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a criminal prosecutor. Donovan returned to Vermont in 2002, working as a Deputy State's Attorney in Chittenden County. He left to become an associate at the Burlington law firm of Jarvis & Kaplan, where he focused on criminal defense, civil litigation, and family matters. In 2006, after winning a three-way Democratic primary, Donovan was elected Chittenden County State's Attorney. The Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office is the busiest county prosecutor's office in the state of Vermont, handling over 5000 criminal cases and 300 Family Court cases annually. There, Donovan led a staff of 28, including, attorneys, victim advocates, and administrative assistants. Donovan was re-elected in 2010 and 2014.

What does TJ do as Attorney General?

As Attorney General, he is committed to providing greater access to justice, fighting to end the opiate epidemic, supporting businesses and protecting consumers, defending the environment and standing up for the civil rights of all Vermonters.

Where is TJ from?

TJ was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont. TJ began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, PA, before returning to Vermont to work as a Deputy Chittenden County State’s Attorney.

Biography

Political Career

Elections

Campaign Themes

• 2016
  Donovan's website included the following positions: 1. Expanding access to drug addiction treatment programs, including naloxone treatment programs and needle exchanges, and "vigorous [law] enforcement with meaningful intervention" 2. Minimizing punishments for minor and nonvi…

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