DA discusses goals for Saratoga County
PAUL POST, The Saratogian12/12/2005
BALLSTON SPA -- Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy was elected last month to his third 4-year term in office. Murphy, 43, of Saratoga Springs, started out as an assistant district attorney in 1988. When he became district attorney a decade later, the office had a one full-time assistant, about six part-timers and a roughly $1 million budget. Today, Murphy oversees a staff of more than 30 people, including 10 full-time assistant district attorneys, and a budget of roughly $2 million. He has greatly expanded the scope and role of his office in nearly all aspects of law enforcement, including crime prevention. He discussed with The Saratogian a variety of topics related to Saratoga County law enforcement and his short- and long-term goals for curbing crime. - Why has your office grown so much since becoming district attorney? 'We were well below where we needed to be. Our assistant district attorneys were so busy in the courtroom that they had no time for victims. When I became DA, we had no crime victim advocacy unit. We have two people in that position now.' Murphy's staff has also increased from two to four investigators along with a state police senior investigator assigned to the district attorney's office. There are four part-time assistant district attorneys in addition to the full-time posts. - What do you enjoy most about this job ? 'To me, this job is all about public service, and certainly my family has had a long tradition of public service. My grandfather, Carleton King, was a former U.S. congressman and a former DA. My dad, James Murphy Jr., was the mayor of Saratoga Springs. 'This job has allowed me to effect significant community change. We've focused on violent offenders. We've tried to keep gangs out of Saratoga County. We target crack dealers. We have programs for people who are addicted to narcotics. 'We can make sure that people who commit violent acts and who are a serious threat are removed from society for some time. We also try to do some rehabilitation and treatment. 'Equally important, though, this job allows me to try to some prevention things. I work with the Prevention Council, Domestic Violence Services, Saratoga Center for the Family and the Child Advocacy Center. I'm on all their boards.' - Your office deals with about 8,600 crimes per year, 50,000 vehicle and traffic infractions and countless violations such as harassment and disorderly conduct. What's your full range of job duties? 'Initially as DA, I carried a significant case load. I realized that it was impossible to carry a full case load, manage an office of 30-plus people, handle victims who come into the office, administrative issues and the budget. I really needed to refocus what my job was. 'I'm responsible for every single case in the office. It's my job to make sure that the cases are well investigated, and are assigned to an assistant DA who has strengths and resources that fit that case best. I meet with victims and assistant DAs to talk about cases a lot. 'I've been very active in creating programs and then making sure that they work.' Murphy took a hands-on role in developing the felony drug court program in 2003, which he has since turned over to an assistant. This program gives people with drug problems an option for sentencing other than jail or prison. Participants are subject to stringent requirements such as four random drug tests per week for 12 to 18 months. People must also maintain employment or schooling, avoid further trouble with the law, and attend regular treatment sessions. 'I think it's much more difficult than going to probation once a week,' Murphy said. Starting in January, Murphy will be personally involved in creation of a misdemeanor drug court, patterned after felony drug court, which will take effect next July 1. - Do you still handle some prosecutions ? 'In this John Regan case, I did the bail application myself in City Court. I felt it was important for me to actually show up and make the argument that he should not be let out on bail. I'll be handling much of that case because it's a very serious one.' Several years ago, he personally prosecuted the Turner case in which a young girl was abducted at East Side Recreation Field by a person posing as a police officer. He also handled a homicide at the county jail, when one inmate killed another. 'I take the cases that are significant, that can effect dramatic change,' Murphy said. CONTINUE ARTICLE: ©The Saratogian 2005
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