Jim’s job isn’t political, it is personal. As a husband, father of three and an active member of the community for thirteen years; that’s reason enough to be tough on crime.
Without burdening taxpayers, Jim has successfully reduced crime in a growing county with a stretched budget, but that doesn’t happen without a plan.The adoption of a comprehensive three-prong approach towards crime—education, prevention and accountability—has allowed for an in-depth plan of attack. The adoption of this approach has been successful and the execution even more so.
Achievements and Priorities:
Illegal aliens are the responsibility of the Federal Government. I recognize that there is failure at that level and the effects of this are felt on us locally. While the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office cannot remove illegal aliens, we are often an initial point of identification of criminal illegal aliens.
As such I have established a formal referral procedure where common, non-racial criteria are reviewed for referral to ICE/287(g) officers for potential deportation proceedings. Ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are identified for removal, improving the overall quality of life in our communities
As such I have established a formal referral procedure where common, non-racial criteria are reviewed for referral to ICE/287(g) officers for potential deportation proceedings. Ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are identified for removal, improving the overall quality of life in our communities
TRIAD is an initiative by the Attorney General’s Office to improve the safety and quality of life for Senior Citizens. In June 2004, I was proud to sign the first ever TRIAD Cooperative Agreement with local law enforcement agencies in Loudoun County. The goal is to reduce the criminal victimization of senior citizens and enhance the delivery of law enforcement services who, along with children, are among the most vulnerable victims in our community. When the agreement was signed, Loudoun County was the largest jurisdiction in Virginia without a TRIAD Agreement. On June 22, 2011, Loudoun County TRIAD will celebrate its 7th Anniversary.
In 2009, I was proud to be recognized by TRIAD with the “Senior Safety Award” for the support and efforts made in reducing criminal victimization of Loudoun’s senior community.
In 2009, I was proud to be recognized by TRIAD with the “Senior Safety Award” for the support and efforts made in reducing criminal victimization of Loudoun’s senior community.
Since 2004, I have worked with other Northern Virginia prosecutor’s offices and the Unites States Attorney’s Office to address gangs regionally. Gang members know no jurisdictional boundaries, so it’s critical that cooperative relationships with our neighbors in the region remain firm. Collectively, we secured a “Governor’s Grant,” which brought much needed funding to Loudoun County for a dedicated Gang Prosecutor. This position works with the Loudoun County Gang Investigators, the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force and other local prosecutor’s offices to coordinate efforts and intelligence and maximize accountability.
In 2006, we joined forces to establish a Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury to investigate gang crime and gather much needed intelligence. As a result of these efforts, intelligence on local gang members has increased dramatically and has been a meaningful factor in several successful prosecutions.
In 2006, we joined forces to establish a Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury to investigate gang crime and gather much needed intelligence. As a result of these efforts, intelligence on local gang members has increased dramatically and has been a meaningful factor in several successful prosecutions.
Through reorganization, the effectiveness of the Victim-Witness Office has noticeably increased. This is due in large part to initiating direct prosecutor oversight of the program. Loudoun County was the first in the State to structure the program in this way, allowing the office the ability to direct the necessary services to victims when it’s needed the most throughout the stages of prosecution.
Loudoun County recently became a member of the Virginia Network for Victim’s and Witnesses of Crime which strives to ensure that the rights of victims and witnesses are protected.
Loudoun County recently became a member of the Virginia Network for Victim’s and Witnesses of Crime which strives to ensure that the rights of victims and witnesses are protected.
In 2008, I was proud to be a major contributor in bringing the first ever Child Advocacy Center (CAC) to Loudoun County. The CAC provides a child-centered safe environment for children and youth to be interviewed by law enforcement and child protective services.
Because the CAC exists, Loudoun now has a multi-disciplinary team that monitors the well-being and safety of many children who are exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Children are among the most vulnerable victims that come through the courts and these efforts will help reduce their exposure to an often unforgiving system. The CAC was established in cooperation with INOVA Hospital, who generously donated space for the Center to operate.
Because the CAC exists, Loudoun now has a multi-disciplinary team that monitors the well-being and safety of many children who are exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Children are among the most vulnerable victims that come through the courts and these efforts will help reduce their exposure to an often unforgiving system. The CAC was established in cooperation with INOVA Hospital, who generously donated space for the Center to operate.
Crimes involving domestic violence tear apart the fabric of our community. As such, they deserve special attention. I am proud to be a part of Loudoun County’s Domestic Violence Steering Committee, whose goal is to streamline the process for access to the court system and available community assistance for victims of abuse.
As part of our continuing effort to address domestic violence, I have assigned dedicated prosecutors to specifically handle these cases. These prosecutors are also a part of Loudoun County’s first Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART). These efforts have dramatically increased the number of offenders being supervised on probation. This oversight has significantly enhanced the safety of victims and their children.
In 2009, the Loudoun DART was recognized by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office for its work in responding to domestic violence. The Loudoun DART was honored as part of the program entitled “Safe In Our Communities: The Attorney General’s Community Recognition Program for Promising Practices in Domestic Violence Response.
As part of our continuing effort to address domestic violence, I have assigned dedicated prosecutors to specifically handle these cases. These prosecutors are also a part of Loudoun County’s first Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART). These efforts have dramatically increased the number of offenders being supervised on probation. This oversight has significantly enhanced the safety of victims and their children.
In 2009, the Loudoun DART was recognized by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office for its work in responding to domestic violence. The Loudoun DART was honored as part of the program entitled “Safe In Our Communities: The Attorney General’s Community Recognition Program for Promising Practices in Domestic Violence Response.
In 2006, I implemented Loudoun’s first Check Enforcement Program to better address the needs of local merchants. The Check Enforcement Program is a pre-trial diversion program to educate offenders that pass bad checks that might otherwise be reported as crimes and to ensure that full restitution is made to victims.
The program eases the workload of local law enforcement, the prosecutors and the courts and allows those much needed resources to be directed toward more serious crimes.
Now in its sixth year, several hundred merchants participate in the program and over $200,000 has been recovered in the form of restitution and victim fees. The program is funded by the offenders, comes at no cost to the taxpayer and generates a small revenue stream for the County.
The program eases the workload of local law enforcement, the prosecutors and the courts and allows those much needed resources to be directed toward more serious crimes.
Now in its sixth year, several hundred merchants participate in the program and over $200,000 has been recovered in the form of restitution and victim fees. The program is funded by the offenders, comes at no cost to the taxpayer and generates a small revenue stream for the County.
Over the past eight years, office operations have been streamlined by eliminating unnecessary and wasteful bureaucratic positions resulting in greater efficiency. While the county population has increased an estimated 36% during that time, Office staff has increased by only 3% and the Operating Budget has been reduced by 12%.
In 2009, I contracted with the Loudoun County Treasurer for the collection of delinquent court fines and costs. As a result, Loudoun County now retains a greater share of these funds that would normally be sent into the State coffers. Loudoun was the first County in the state to establish a program in this manner. Now, only in its first full year, it is expected to bring in over $200,000 in new local revenue annually.
The office has taken steps to oversee and address problems of community interest that detract from overall quality of life. Interdiction Suits are now pursued which address the problems of habitual drunkards in the community and Criminal Desertion cases are addressed where those spouses that abandon their family and defy court orders of necessary child support are held accountable.
In 2009, I contracted with the Loudoun County Treasurer for the collection of delinquent court fines and costs. As a result, Loudoun County now retains a greater share of these funds that would normally be sent into the State coffers. Loudoun was the first County in the state to establish a program in this manner. Now, only in its first full year, it is expected to bring in over $200,000 in new local revenue annually.
The office has taken steps to oversee and address problems of community interest that detract from overall quality of life. Interdiction Suits are now pursued which address the problems of habitual drunkards in the community and Criminal Desertion cases are addressed where those spouses that abandon their family and defy court orders of necessary child support are held accountable.
Prior to taking office in 2004, the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office had no structured program for seizing the assets of criminal defendants, which is fully authorized under Virginia Law.
Meaningful punishment is only one aspect of criminal accountability; another aspect is making certain that the criminal enterprise is not profitable. Partnering with local law enforcement agencies and participating in officer training, our officers are now able to recognize situations where the proceeds from criminal activity can be seized.
As a result, thousands of dollars, dozens of vehicles and other items that are the proceeds of illegal activity, mostly from illegal narcotics trafficking, are now forfeited to the Commonwealth. The cash and assets become the property of the Loudoun County taxpayers and can then be used to combat crime, thus reducing the burden on the taxpayer.
Meaningful punishment is only one aspect of criminal accountability; another aspect is making certain that the criminal enterprise is not profitable. Partnering with local law enforcement agencies and participating in officer training, our officers are now able to recognize situations where the proceeds from criminal activity can be seized.
As a result, thousands of dollars, dozens of vehicles and other items that are the proceeds of illegal activity, mostly from illegal narcotics trafficking, are now forfeited to the Commonwealth. The cash and assets become the property of the Loudoun County taxpayers and can then be used to combat crime, thus reducing the burden on the taxpayer.
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