EDITOR: I am writing in support of Arapahoe County’s District Attorney, Amy Padden. There is an ongoing effort to recall Padden, based on misinformation and lack of knowledge as to how the judicial system works.
The recall was initiated by Aurora Council member Danielle Jurinsky. Jurinsky contends that Attorney Padden was too lenient on a juvenile who while driving illegally hit and killed a young woman. Jurinsky promised the woman’s father that she would see that justice would be carried out.
Juveniles are treated differently in our justice system, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. And it was ultimately a judge who a determined a two-year supervised probationary period was the appropriate manner in which to hold this juvenile accountable.
In another case, the court dismissed charges after finding a defendant was incompetent and not likely to be restored to competency, based on numerous psychiatric evaluations and a motion filed by the defense. It was the judge who determined that the charges were to be dismissed, not Padden. State law requires dismissal under those circumstances, and DA Padden is working to change state law to address these issues.
Please do not sign the petition that is circulating requesting a recall of Padden. Padden must follow the law, and she is doing just that.
If Jurinsky would read and understand the law, she would realize that a recall is not the appropriate course of action. If she thinks there has been a miscarriage of justice, she might want to consider other means of action, such as working with her state legislators to change the law.
Jean Greenberg, Centennial