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QUALIFICATIONS
When the position of District Attorney was to be vacated by
Stuart Albright, a number of people (including judges, attorneys
and court personnel) began searching for someone with the best
qualifications to fill that position. Doug had a successful law
practice and was not seeking the position. There were 28
assistant district attorneys they could have chosen from,
including his opponent. However, they asked Doug to consider
allowing them to place his name in nomination for the Governor’s
consideration. After initial reluctance, he finally agreed. The
Governor named him as District Attorney to fill the unexpired
term for the year 2006.
Doug has been practicing law for 23 years. He has tried all
kinds of cases, including capital murder cases. He was a strong
advocate for his clients, and as District Attorney, he is a
strong advocate for the state and the victims of crime.
Before practicing law, he was a Deputy Clerk of Federal Court,
Magistrate, Deputy Sheriff, Substance Abuse Treatment Case
Manager, and Investigator for the Public Defender’s Office.
FAIRNESS
Doug is known for his fairness and integrity. He will be fair to
those he serves, whether they be victims or law enforcement
officers.
IMPROVING THE SERVICES OF THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
We have a great District Attorney’s office. However, there is
always a need to become better. Doug will work with the
assistant district attorneys to create a strong team aimed at
increasing effectiveness. He will seek input from the DA staff
in how to become more efficient in use of time and in providing
speedy trials. The District Attorney’s office will seek input
from victims of crimes in order to meet their needs better and
will also ask law enforcement officers, judges, and others for
suggestions.
Doug’s desire is to have a District Attorney team that is
responsive to the needs of those it serves. He feels that the
District Attorney and Assistant District Attorneys must be
united in contributing ideas and fighting crime.
Another aspect of improving services that Doug would like to add
in the future is a District Attorney’s website to provide
helpful information for the people of Guilford County. Possible
links are:
-
Help
for Victims of Violent Crimes
-
Special Programs to Prevent Crimes
-
Information for Witnesses on What to Expect in Court (in
Spanish and English)
-
Tips
for Parents to Prevent Children from Engaging in Dangerous
Web Activities
and Becoming Victims of Child Molesters
-
Other Topics as Needed
PREVENTION OF YOUTH CRIMES
Statement from Doug on Youth Crimes:
My
passion is to prevent young people from becoming criminals.
Youth gangs are increasing. In 1995, there were almost
665,000 gang members in the United States. (It would
probably be mind-boggling to know the numbers today!) In
2004, more than 750,000 young people from ages 10 to 24 were
treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained due
to violence. The direct and indirect cost of youth violence
exceeds $158 billion each year.
We must have the combined leadership of our justice system
and the community to focus on addressing youth violence. If
we provide swift, effective intervention, we can steer young
people away from a career of crime and toward becoming
law-abiding citizens. If we do not deal appropriately with
them early, we will surely deal with them later. Our schools
and streets must be made safe from violent crimes!
I have met with Dr. Terry Grier, Superintendent of Schools,
to develop a partnership between the District Attorney’s
office and the Guilford County Schools. We will be working
on a program to help students in the two alternative schools
to change the behavior that got them into those schools. We
will be preparing a video where students hear from those who
are suffering the consequences for bad choices they have
made. It is hoped that some of our law enforcement people
will volunteer to become involved with this. We want these
students to learn the consequences of bad choices and to
recognize that they have the potential for future success if
they make the right decisions.
The District Attorney’s office, law enforcement, schools,
and the community must be involved in developing ways of
getting our young people on the right track. I want us to
pull together a Task Force of people from different
backgrounds, as well as representatives of our schools, law
enforcement agencies, community organizations and agencies
to develop a plan that will help our young people who have a
tendency to get into trouble. We can lower the rate of
criminals we must deal with in court if we can make changes
in their lives at an early age.
A report of the Surgeon General on youth violence states
that research clearly demonstrates that many different kinds
of programs to reduce violent crimes among the young are
effective. Communities have established various types of
programs, including mentoring, after-school recreational
programs, Boys and Girls Clubs, family therapy, parent
education programs, and numerous others. Our task force can
develop unique programs that will work in Guilford County.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR DOUG
HENDERSON!
He will make a positive difference. |
