Dillon runs for Stafford Commonwealth’s Attorney, addresses opioid epidemic

Julia Dillon, a Stafford County resident and attorney, is running for Commonwealth’s Attorney with a focus on tackling the area’s opioid epidemic.

Name: Julia B. Dillon

Party: Democrat

Town: Stafford

Running for: Commonwealth’s Attorney

Website: www.julia4stafford.com, Facebook

Work: Attorney

Education: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law — JD with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution. Allegheny College — B.A. with a double major in Philosophy and Economics, minor in Political Science.

Community Involvement: Dillon is an active member of Summit Presbyterian Church where she completed a three year term as an elder. She is a wife and mother of two boys who attend Stafford County Public schools.

Questions and Answers

PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? 

Dillon: The position I am seeking is for all of Stafford County. There is one overarching issue that prompted me to run: Justice. The current prosecutorial system is effective at processing felony convictions, but it is not focused on Justice. My campaign is focused on four areas of Justice: the public, law enforcement, accused and victims. Issues that impact all of these areas include 1) the current opioid epidemic, 2) mass incarceration, including pretrial, 3) safety.

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Dillon: I will make certain that in all offenses of violence that come to my office the victim has the opportunity to meet with a prosecutor who is handling the case before the day of court and that the victim’s thoughts are taken into account at every stage of the proceedings.

I will recognize that drug addiction is a disease and work to increase incentives for rehabilitation while working with law enforcement to address the supply side of the issue.

I will be fair in the discovery process. I will make certain defense attorneys have access to the information they need to represent their clients and evaluate plea offers. I will make sure certain offers are extended in a timely manner before court and will make every effort to determine in advance of court whether witnesses will be needed. This will reduce victim and lay witness stress as well as the time of law enforcement officers who should not be forced to come to court if their testimony is not needed.

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Dillon: Overseeing justice is the job of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Working with law enforcement, protecting the public, protecting victims, and protecting the rights of the accused.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Dillon: More than seven years of adult felony prosecution experience from initial charges all the way up to the final appeal. As an Assistant County Prosecutor in Fairfield County in Ohio, I worked with drug task forces, multiple law enforcement agencies, and crime victims. I was part of establishing a Child Advocacy Center. I have handled more than 20 jury trials in a jurisdiction where the right to a jury trial was an advantage only to the accused and not the State.

I have broad based experience with various prosecutors offices. I worked as a Mediator in Columbus Ohio’s Night Prosecution Mediation Program. As a current defense attorney and juvenile guardian ad litem I have seen varying methods of prosecution throughout Virginia.

Finally, the proposed new discovery rules that were supposed to go into effect this past July and that may go into effect next year were modeled largely after the discovery rules in Ohio. Therefore I have the unique experience of being familiar with the practical application of the new rules that should take effect.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?

Dillon: I do not feel that the average citizen is well informed about the Prosecutor’s office until directly impacted by crime. I will not try cases in the press, but I will be straight forward regarding policies and decisions.

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?

Dillon: None that I can think of at this time.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

Dillon: I have a strong desire for hustice for everyone and will work diligently to protect the public through smart and fair prosecutions. As the mother of two, I need Stafford to be safer. It can’t be truly safe with the serious drug epidemic.