Sample Questions for Candidate Forums
Whether it’s district attorneys, judges, or lawmakers, those running for office have the power to shape the criminal legal system, impact crime survivors, and ensure conviction integrity
Be an informed voter by asking your candidates about:
● How they'll protect crime survivors and uphold their rights
● Their plans to address wrongful convictions and prevent re-traumatization
● Their commitment to equity and restorative justice practices
Here are some sample questions for you to use to get real answers this election season.
1 If elected, what steps will you take to support and advocate for victims' rights in the legal system, including during post-conviction case activity?
2 Victim services are often significantly reduced after a conviction despite continuing legal activity for the entire sentence length How will you prioritize increasing awareness about and expanding information and support for crime victims and survivors during post-conviction case activity?
3 State and federal resources have been increased to allow more convictions and sentences to be reviewed and overturned Yet, there is no corresponding increase in advocacy, support, and services available for victims and survivors in those cases. How will you address this inequity and fix the needed support and services gap?
4. What steps will you take to address the impacts of wrongful convictions and exonerations on victims, survivors, and their families, and how will you support them in seeking justice after a conviction has been thrown out on the grounds of factual innocence?
a. What strategies or resources will you implement to improve information sharing and support available to victims and survivors in cases that become “cold” following an exoneration?
5. What steps will you take to ensure transparency in your processes surrounding post-conviction case activity and to enhance public trust in the legal system (or specific office)?
6. How do you plan to create mechanisms for feedback from victims and survivors regarding the effectiveness of your office's policies and practices for conviction and sentence review?
7. How will you support increased VOCA funding for agencies in your jurisdiction and ensure robust victim advocacy and victim services throughout the entire legal process, including post-conviction?