Since 2004 Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney James E. Plowman has led the fight against crime. Plowman definitively stated his purpose -- "Our mission is to make Loudoun County a safer place."

Plowman's leadership has been characterized by Loudoun law enforcement as "transformational," including organizational restructuring, new allocation of funding to meet the needs of a changing County, elimination of "red tape" and bureaucratic obstacles, and the incorporation of new technologies to both improve administrative efficiency and criminal prosecution.

"Dealing with Loudoun prosecutors now, as compared to four years ago, is the difference between day and night," said Doug Taylor, recently retired Loudoun Sheriff's Office Investigator and former Leesburg Police Officer. "Plowman fights criminals, not police officers."

As Plowman stated to a Loudoun community group in September of 2004, "If you want an advocate for criminals, visit the Public Defenders Office. The job of our office is to relentlessly pursue criminals, to put the message out on the streets that Loudoun County is not the place to commit a crime."

"The best way to fight crime and protect our families is through deterrence. It has been proven in the science of criminal justice that serious consequences deter crimes... our job is to ensure real and meaningful consequences for those who would make 'victims' of law abiding citizens."

Changes Since 2004 Include:

• Eliminated "Sweetheart" easy deals for defendents
• Coordination between the Loudoun Commonwealth's Attorney's office and local, County, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies has been acclaimed by Virginia leaders as "an example" for the entire state
• Eliminated unnecessary and wasteful bureaucratic positions and "red tape," resulting in a near 30% operational cost savings, per year, for Loudoun taxpayers since 2004
• Obtained State funding for addition of a dedicated "Gang Prosecutor." This individual also participates in the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force to coordinate law enforcement and prosecution efforts throughout the region.
• Secured a State Grant to fund a position for Domestic Violence Prosecutor and established Domestic Violence section to concentrate on domestic abuse and coordination of efforts with agencies with similarly dedicated personnel
• Created a team of attorneys to concentrate solely on physical and sexual abuse of children
• Established Volunteer Intern Program for Law Students, providing over 500 volunteer hours annually at no cost to taxpayers
• Established Check Enforcement Program to aid local businesses in the recovery of loss due to bad checks
• Signed TRIAD Cooperative Agreement with local law enforcement agencies to improve the safety and quality of life for Seniors with the goal of reducing criminal victimization
• Enhanced effectiveness of the Victim-Witness Program by direct Prosecutor oversight for the purpose of maximizing efficiences and benefits to victims
• Established training and legal updates for local law enforcement
• Established a team of attorneys to seize assets from criminals adding precious resources to support law enforcement.  The amount of assets seized annually has more than quadrupled since 2004
• Discontinued "easy" sentencing recommendations from prosecutors

Dear Neighbors,

I'm pleased to report much progress for Loudoun's prosecutorial office since 2004. We've reorganized our administration, created specialized prosecutors to confront new threats and improve prosecutorial results, cut waste from the budget, and successfully reintegrated Loudoun's prosecutors as part of the local and state law enforcement team. "Easy" deals for attorneys and offenders have been eliminated, and Loudoun has rebuilt its reputation for being "tough" on crime.

Unfortunately, as Loudoun County continues to change in this new century, the criminal elements are also evolving. We face ongoing and new challenges with each day, and the work of enforcing our laws must also continue to evolve.

Evolution is my top priority for the tactics, techniques, and procedures of Loudoun's criminal prosecution. My goal is the ongoing improvement of our administrative efficiency, criminal justice sciences, prosecutorial results, and community involvement and response.

As a public servant, I understand that the C.A.'s Office works for Loudoun's taxpayers. I believe it is our duty to not only produce positive results for our employers (you, the taxpayer), but also to respect the value of the resources allocated to us by the taxpayers. I believe waste in government is the same as mismanagement, and strive each day to find new ways of improving our efficiency.

Finally, and perhaps most important of all, the mission of my administration is to be tough on crime. My mission is not about "vengeance," but rather about creating a strong and meaningful deterrent to crime. The best way to fight crime is to prevent it from occurring -- and one powerful means of realizing that hope is by sending a message to potential offenders that the consequences of criminal behavior in Loudoun County are serious and difficult. Deterrence is a meaningful method of protecting our families, neighbors, and communities -- and I both understand and wholeheartedly believe that it is the job of the Commonwealth's Attorney to hold accountable those who choose to make "victims" of Loudoun residents.

It is among the greatest privileges of my life to serve the residents of Loudoun County as their prosecutor. I believe it is important that the residents of Loudoun County understand that their Commonwealth's Attorney takes his job seriously, and works each day with the goal of helping to make our neighborhoods and workplaces safer for each of us.

My thanks and best regards.