Posted on 08/05/2008 6:16:40 AM PDT by marktwain
In the wake of three murders and the recent attack on a federal prosecutor in a New York courtroom, a group representing the nation's federal prosecutors is calling for stepped-up security, including home alarms, self-defense training and the right to carry firearms.
Additionally, the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, which represents the country's 5,400 federal prosecutors, wants secure parking for prosecutors, particularly those who handle dangerous criminal cases.
"Statistically, we are threatened more than judges," said Steve Cook, chairman of the NAAUSA security committee and a Tennessee federal prosecutor. "Security is a very important issue for us."
In a recent NAAUSA survey (.pdf) on security issues answered by 1,257 federal prosecutors -- or 23 percent of the total work force -- 46 percent said they had been threatened or assaulted due to their job, and 81 percent said someone in their office had been threatened.
The survey showed that 78 percent rated secure parking as very important, and 42 percent rated home alarms very important. Eighty-one percent of respondents believe Assistant U.S. Attorneys should be authorized by the Department of Justice to carry firearms if they so choose.
NAAUSA officials last month met with Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip about security concerns for prosecutors and shared the survey results with him.
Additionally, the group plans to step up lobbying efforts next year for a bill to fund some of their proposals. Heavy lobbying last year led to prosecutors being partially included in the Court Security Act of 2007, which was originally intended only for judges.
Under the legislation, prosecutors will not get the same security measures as judges, such as home alarms; however they will now be protected from having their driver's license information made public.
"Prosecutors are on the front lines like federal agents; they are the face of federal law enforcement," said Peter Prieto, a former Miami federal prosecutor and chairman of Holland & Knight's litigation practice. "They are dealing with pretty dangerous people and have a legitimate gripe. For the job they do, they deserve more protection."
In 2001, prominent Seattle prosecutor Tom Wales was gunned down in his basement. The case is still unsolved.
Later that year, Chicago federal prosecutor Michael Messer was shot and killed after leaving a training program put on by the Justice Department's National Advocacy Center at the University of South Carolina. Four teens were later convicted of killing Messer as part of a robbery spree.
Then in 2003, Baltimore prosecutor Jonathan Luna was murdered after leaving his office late at night, his body found face down in a creek with 36 stab wounds.
In March, another federal prosecutor was the victim of violence -- this time in a courtroom. Carolyn Pokorny, 38, chief of narcotics for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn, was attacked by a drug defendant facing a life sentence who had somehow smuggled a razor into the courtroom. Pokorny was bruised but not seriously hurt. Both Pokorny and the office spokesman in Brooklyn declined comment, citing the pending case.
Secure parking is the most vital issue for prosecutors, according to survey results. In some areas such as New York, prosecutors have secured parking. But in other areas, like Miami -- a district known for prosecuting some of the most dangerous criminals -- prosecutors must walk to public parking lots, often late at night.
"It may sound like a small thing, but it's a big deal," said Kendall Coffey, a former Miami U.S. Attorney who is now a partner at Coffey Burlington in Miami. "I would endorse the concept of secured parking. Going to a public lot is an unnecessary risk. You're a sitting duck."
Coffey was less enthused about prosecutors carrying firearms.
Currently, prosecutors can apply to the Justice Department in individual situations to be deputized and get a firearm. The problem with that, according to the NAAUSA, is that the process, usually, takes two weeks, and time is of the essence when a threat is made.
The NAAUSA says the Department of Justice has not been supportive on security issues in past years.
In a statement, Ken Melson, director of the Department of Justice's Executive Office for United States Attorneys, said the DOJ has already begun addressing some of the issues in the survey.
"We have modified policy to allow AUSAs who hold state carry permits to carry those weapons between offices while on government duty or when using a government vehicle," he said. He added that secure parking is provided on a case-by-case basis. "AUSA safety is an important priority to [the Executive Office] and the Department," he said.
Prosecutors are in no way entitled to ANY protection not afforded the rest of the country.
L
Ahhh America, becoming more like Columbia/Mexico every day.
I have no problem with prosecutors wanting to be armed for self-protection, that is their right as an American.
However, they should follow the same laws regarding firearms as a regular Joe-Sixpack.
If the prosecutor’s city or state prohibits concealed carry or handguns for average citizens, then tough shit.
Lawyers have to realize that their are not two different classes of American’s and thus two different sets of rules.
If an average citizen can protect him/herself with a conceal carry so should the prosecutor — no special favors.
I have a bridge in Brooklyn you want to buy.
The only change I support would be a Federal law providing concealed carry for all. Oh, if they wanted to make it shall-issue for long-term taxpayers, and may issue for others I would probably support that as a way to keep criminals disarmed.
Federal prosecutors work in federal courthouses which are in urban areas where parking is expensive. The judges and GSA guys hog the inside free parking. These prosecutors are lobbying for free parking somewhere near the courthouse by using the fear factor.
That’ll show ‘em!
So we should subsidize their weapons training and special parking? Jeez, what’s next, buy their home for them, and make them available for tax free status?
The *major* plank of the anti-freedom types is that guns are useless for self defense.
no, this is not a 2A issue. anyone who says so has an agenda.
Wrong. Most US Attorneys offices are at an off-site from the federal courthouses and AUSAs routinely walk or drive to and from court proceedings.
This is a legitimate concern. Threats are definately on the rise and as we saw in the Northern District of Illinois, Judge Lefcow ignoring warnings from federal marshals and requesting that protective services end for her and her family after a threats were made led to her mother’s and husband’s death.
There is no end to the insane level of threats rendered against the judiciary in this day and age.
This isn’t even all about “major drug dealers” being sentenced and the like. There is an equal amount of violence in federal civil court proceedings due to the volatile and very personal nature of bankruptcy and civil actions.
RLTW
So what’s the problem? Why can’t the prosecutors go get alarms, training, and carry permits? Other than the premium parking spots, it looks like everything they want is freely available to anyone in most states and I think gov’t employees can get carry permits even in places like NYC that generally infringe on that right for the average peon.
After these people receive taxpayer armed protection you might come up with justification for providing justice department people of various stripes (most of whom are full grown adult males) with some level of protection. Until that time they deserve zip, zero, nada.
If they want to be safe, they are absolutely in a position to make everyone in society much safer than they are now.
I don't care one whit how much prosecutors or you whine. Grow TF up.
Exactly that, Lurker
“One set of rules for thee, another set for me.”
Why is it always “I have a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell you?”
Leave the Verrazano alone.
if they do not choose to take him back, there are many mechanisms available to these women. if a man violates the stipulations in the OOP, it's an automatic felony. he doesn't have to take any violent action to be arrested.
and i am not talking about armed escorts for these prosecutors. protect their identity on DMV records, make it easier for them to get a carry permit.
i realize they have chosen the job, but it is one wrought with threats against them and their family. jeez, they should be able to park within their compound or be escorted to their vehicles.
Teach them to dial 911. For bonus points they can learn to speed dial.
The 2nd Amendment supposedly applies only to the Federal Government as it's not "incorporated" and these are federal employee's asking for permission from the federal government?
/s
If you knew what I know about this, you’d take your own advice.
RLTW
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