Changing a streak of two decades of uncontested races, former Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Deaton announced this weekend he will be running to reclaim his old position against incumbent Dave Chapman, who has held on to the job for 20 years in uncontested elections since defeating Deaton in a 1993 Democratic primary.
Deaton served as the city’s Commonwealth’s Attorney from 1990 to 1994 and as the city’s assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for eight years prior.
In announcing his candidacy, Deaton called for increased community involvement, improved crime prevention and increased transparency. Deaton also highlighted his past accomplishments as Commmonwealth’s Attorney, including hiring the first African-American to work in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office and establishing the Victim Witness Program and Domestic Violence Project.
“Jury trials are now less than two percent of cases, and it is time to look for other ways for citizens to have input into their system,” he said in a statement.
Deaton also says that if elected, he will establish a public email and Facebook page to open a dialogue with the public. “No one person has all the answers,” he said. “Let us resolve to work to work together to make the system better.”
_
—compiled by Valerie Clemens_
Read More
From the Archives: Hoo's Appearing on Grounds
By Tori Vonderheid and Gillian Sullivan | 33 minutes agoColgate W. Darden Jr., former Virginia governor and University president, came back to speak at Convocation and to present Psychology Prof. Raymond C. Brice with the 21st Thomas Jefferson Award.
CavEd program lets Hoos design and teach their own courses
By Peter Karaki | YesterdayRather than recreating conventional classes, students can imagine courses that sit outside the bounds of traditional majors.
Miller Center event hosts international judges to discuss global security and rule of law
By Jaylynn Perez | 2 days agoPartnered with the Presidential Precinct and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Miller Center invited international jurists to discuss the role of the judiciary in protecting democracy.
