EMAIL TO THE EDITOR: Democracy is a Privilege, Not a Right

The following is a letter submitted by Ray Sciarrino to the GeneseeSun.com for publication. The attitudes and ideas expressed below should not be interpreted as the opinion of the GeneseeSun.com.

Dear Editor,

I was graciously invited to participate in a debate to take place on November 3, 2016 against my opponent and I accepted. I commented on the upcoming debate, and stated that I look forward to showing Livingston County why I am the most experienced trial attorney and able to perform under stress and respond with tact and good judgment. My opponent also made a statement. He alleged that I was misinforming voters and that a District Attorney should accept responsibility and take accountability for their actions. Further, on October 13, 2016, I participated in a candidate forum hosted by SUNY Geneseo. My opponent again gave underhanded comments, inferring that because I have not practiced as a prosecutor, I therefore cannot be a prosecutor; that if I am elected, the community will no longer be safe.

My opponent even commented that children will be raped as a result of me taking office.

To give you a better understanding of me, I first feel obliged to tell you about my background. I have spent most of my life in Livingston County, except for time away attending school. Since my return in 1995, I:

– successfully run a private law practice, and have for over 20 years;

– routinely appear in the Town, Village, and County Courts of Livingston County and the eight surrounding counties;

– sat for three terms as the Town Justice of Leicester;

– manage and maintain multiple law offices with up to seven employees; and

– represent thousands of clients’ cases to successful resolution.

It is my belief that the District Attorney’s office plays a vital role in keeping our community safe and protecting citizens’ rights. The role does not bring entitlement or prestige, or permission to brag about whether or not conviction rates are at an all-time high. It does not entail using the power vested in the office in an over-zealous manner or evaluating cases in a way that exploits community fear and ignores the individual merits of each situation.

The role of District Attorney demands: even temperament; sound judgment; and a drive to seek justice and truth.

The mission is not so much to convict as it is to achieve a just result.

As District Attorney I will employ:

– a teamwork mentality with law enforcement;

– the fortitude to make tough legal decisions, even if they are politically unpopular;

– legal analysis and review on a case by case basis; and

– non-policy driven practices which consider the human element inherent in all cases.

This must be the way forward in order to better serve the long-term interests for victim(s), defendant(s), and our community as a whole. To be District Attorney takes having common sense – common sense for a safer community.

I hope the members of this community do come out and attend the debate to witness first-hand my noted frustrations; to make an informed decision on November 8th is all I can ask for. Democracy is a privilege, not a right.

 

Sincerely,

Raymond P. Sciarrino