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making the most politically astute statement that could be made. However, I’m not going to take a position that I will never plea bargain because I believe the realities we’re confronted with in our criminal justice system today dictate that plea bargaining be engaged in.
“I believe that my responsibility as commonwealth attorney would be to make the best possible plea bargains on behalf of the commonwealth. As the candidate for commonwealth attorney with the greatest experience in Virginia courts before Virginia judges practicing Virginia law, I feel I’m in the best position to do that. I plege, if I’m elected, to be a tough plea bargainer.
Tough On Drugs
“I’d like to cite just one example in regard to the attitude I’m going to take. Let’s assume that an individual is charged with the felony of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. In my view, I can conceive of no circumstances, assuming that the evidence would be sufficient to convict, whereby I would consent to the reduction of that charge to the misdemeaner offense of simple possession.
“In my mind, it’s going to be a question of the defendant either entering a plea of guilty or, if he elects to plead not guilty, to request a trial before a jury.
“I’m informed that the incidence of drug abuse here in Rappahannock has increased substantially in recent years. I don’t mind saying that I'm going to take a tough position in regard to plea bargains with respect to drug offenses.
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