Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Dan Quart for Manhattan District Attorney
Candidate Name: Dan Quart
Office Seeking Election for: Manhattan District Attorney
1. Response to crimes of violence
There is widespread consensus that low-level, non-violent crimes do not belong in the criminal justice system. But what about violent crimes? Do you think that people accused of violent crimes should be dealt with in the criminal system? How should these cases be handled?
Some violent crimes need to be dealt with by the criminal justice system but many do not. Many cases of low-level violence can be handled through a restorative justice process or with treatment or services. When looking at these cases, some of the things I’ll consider are whether there is an ongoing threat to an identifiable person, as in many DV cases and how serious the alleged violence was.
2. Police accountability
How will you hold police accountable for misconduct? Does the DA have a role in cases where the conduct does not rise to the level of a crime?
Absolutely. Because the DA regularly works with officers in constructing cases, the DA has a vested interest in ensuring that those officers are truthful and uphold their commitment to the public. I will prosecute officers who commit crimes, of course, and when I will not rely on officers who have a demonstrated history of mendacity and/or misconduct.
3. Community engagement
A lot of DAs talk about working with the community in dealing with issues of public safety. But in many cases those most impacted by the criminal justice system do not trust law enforcement and don't want to be engaged. First, do you believe community engagement is important to public safety, and if so, how do you intend to overcome the community's distrust of law enforcement?
Community engagement is critical to public safety. Only a community can define what public safety is for them and it is the DAs job to listen and respond to those communities. My community affairs staff will regularly engage with neighborhood groups, community boards, tenant associations, BIDs, and other organizations on their terms and their turf.
4. DA's role in shaping the future of policing
There is a lot of talk about re-shaping the police department, even defunding or replacing the PD. And Governor Cuomo has called on cities to submit plans for how there are re-imagining policing. Do you believe the police department should be defunded? Reformed? What do you think is the DA's role in these conversations?
I think City Council should take the lead in these budgetary discussions, but I am staunchly in favor of removing responsibility for things that PD aren’t trained for from their portfolio. In particular, I believe that the police should not be first responders for people experiencing mental health crises. Police budgets should be reduced and funds should be reallocated to preventive measures we know work, including social workers, affordable housing, and cure violence programs.
5. Increase in shootings
After years of declines, shootings and homicides have spiked this year. What do you think are the causes of this spike, and how will you drive these shootings down and restore a sense of safety to the community?
We know that chaos and instability can fan the flames of violence in our communities, and what we are experiencing now is more chaotic and more unstable than anything most of us have ever been through. As DA, I’ll work with my colleagues at every level of government to provide stability to people who have lost jobs, housing or health care and to address the root causes of this violence.
6. Culture change
Candidates talk about the reforms they want to implement, but reform cannot happen unless the ADAs in the office are willing to go along. How will you manage culture change in the DA's office knowing that there are people working there who may disagree with your policies, and in some cases may actively try to sabotage your efforts at reform?
I will commit myself to rooting out any sabotage in my office. In units where I am particularly concerned about this kind of behavior, like the Sex Crimes Unit, I’ll personally reinterview every ADA. I’ll replace the team of bureau chiefs and I’ll expect them to hold their staff accountable for following my lead.
7. Ethics
What is your view of the ethical obligations of prosecutors? Do they go beyond the ABA rules? How will you set ethical standards for the DA's office and how will you ensure that they are internalized and adhered to by your ADAs?
Broadly, I believe that the problem is not that the ABA rules are not extensive enough. Rather, I think that ADAs are not abiding by them. The ABA’s focus on securing justice, rather than convictions, will be the value that guides all of our work. My ADAs will be regularly trained on ABA guidelines, but more importantly, their performance will not be judged based on how many convictions they secure. ADAs who violate the ABA guidelines will be disciplined and, in serious cases, terminated and their conduct will be reported to the Apellate Division.
8. Shrinking the criminal justice system
Many advocates argue that the criminal justice system has become too large, costing too much money and playing too large a role in responding to society's problems. Do you agree? If so, does this mean that the role of prosecutors should also be smaller? Should prosecutors' offices be defunded?
Yes, the role of prosecutors should be smaller. Many of the cases that come through the Manhattan DA’s office have no business being prosecuted in the first place.
9. Race and the DA's office
Racial justice advocates believe that DA's offices should be reflective of the communities they serve, and that it is crucial that the DA's office have attorneys of color, as line ADAs, as supervisors and at the highest levels of leadership. Do you agree, and if so how will you insure that the DA's office is one that attracts, retains and promotes people of color at every level?
Absolutely. A prosecutor’s office ought to reflect the community it is serving. I believe that the key to a diverse staff is in the pipeline. I commit to focusing my recruitment efforts on public law schools in the NYC area, on applicants from overpoliced communities in NYC and applicants who have been justice-involved.
10. Post-conviction justice
Do you believe the DA has a continuing obligation to do justice in cases where someone has been convicted and sentenced? What would you do as DA in such cases?
Yes. Most importantly, the DA has an obligation to respond to any exonerating evidence that is brought to their attention post-conviction. Far too often, DAs are unwilling to examine their own work. I will create a robust and entirely independent conviction review unit that will avoid these pitfalls.
11. Decriminalization of Sex Work
Do you favor decriminalization of sex work? Do you support the legislation sponsored by State Senators Julia Salazar and Jessica Ramos. Bills A.8230/S.6419)
Yes, I do. I was an original co-sponsor of this bill.
12. Nordic Model
Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
Yes.
13. Record Relief Legislation
Do you support the Record Relief legislation which would expand the relief available to survivors of human trafficking? Bills A06983/S04981 Bills A9040/S2144
Yes, I am a co-sponsor of each of these bills.
14. Walking While Tran
Do you support Walking While Trans legislation the state legislature.? Bills A00654/S02253
Yes, I am a co-sponsor of this bill.
15. Supervised Consumption Spaces
Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes, and I’m a co-sponsor of AM Linda Rosenthal’s bill to allow for this.
16. Elder Parole
Do you support the “elder parole” legislation which provides seniors 55 years and older, who have served 15 years in prison, the right to apply for parole? Bills A9040/S2144
Yes, I am a cosponsor of this bill.
17. Hiring Practice
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes, in all positions in my office.
18. Demonstrations and Protests
a. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
b. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
Too many to list! Some highlights are the MLK march in DC in August, rallying against the Proud Boys on the Upper East Side, regular gatherings in the Capitol pushing the end of solitary confinement, the repeal of 50-A and pretrial reforms.
Yes, I’ve been to many rallies calling for clemency and for reform of parole. I also organized my colleagues to call on the Governor to pardon Colin Absalom a/k/a Tyrone Abraham, who was freed just days before he was due to be deported to Jamaica.
19. Solitary Confinement
Do you oppose solitary confinement? Do you support the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S.
1623/A.2500)?
Yes, I do and I’m a cosponsor of that bill.
20. Sanctuary City
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
When I’m DA, every prosecution will consider the immigration consequences for the accused. I will also dedicate my staff to expunging qualified convictions to ensure that collateral consequences don’t follow someone for the rest of their life.
21. Determinations of Parole
Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Will you have a general policy of writing letters of support to the Parole Board for people convicted in New York County when they become eligible for release from prison?
Yes, I do.
Yes of course. Will push for release. Sentences are too long to begin with.
22. Visiting Correctional Facilities
Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility to assist in bids for parole?
Yes.
23. Law Enforcement Contributions
Will you reject all campaign contributions, endorsements, and outside spending from organizations that exclusively represent police, correction, and/or court officers?
Yes
24. Real Estate Contributions
Will you reject all contributions from the real estate industry?
No.
25. New York State District Attorney Association
Do you commit to not becoming a member of the District Attorneys Association of New York State?
Yes
26. Defense Attorney’s Contributions
How will you handle contributions from defense attorneys with active matters before the Manhattan District Attorney's Office?
I will follow the tenets I laid out in my legislation for DA campaign finance reform - I will only take $320 from criminal defense attorneys or their law firms.
27. LGBTQ Support
a. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
No.
b. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes. My current staff is majority LGBTQ and I will continue to hire community liaisons who are members of those communities.
c. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
None.
d. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I’ve marched in NYC Pride every time I’ve been able to – at least three times in the past eight years!