NAME: Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.cannizzaroda.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: 3535 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: 504.482.1144
FAX: 504.482.1177
Email: cannizzaroda@gmail.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
PROFESSION: Retired Judge, Criminal District Court and 4th Circuit Court of Appeal.
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION: Retired Judge, Criminal District Court and 4th Circuit Court of Appeal.
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date): Loyola University School of Law-Juris Doctor Degree-1978
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
2003-2008 Judge, Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal
1986-2002 Judge, Orleans Parish Criminal District Court-Section "J"
Elected Chief Judge of Criminal District Court 1998-1999
Presided over more than 1,800 Felony Jury Trials-Record for State of Louisiana
Established, Developed and Implemented:
-Court Supervised Intensive Probation and Drug Court
-Drug Testing Program
-Building Security for Criminal District Court
-Real
Time Court Reporting
-Fines and Fees Collections Department
-Community Service Program
1998-2001 Louisiana Judicial Budgetary Control Board-Approve and recommend budgets of the judiciary to the State Legislature
2002-Present Assistant Professor, University of New Orleans-Political Science Department
1997-1998 President of Louisiana 4th and 5thCircuit Judges Association
1994-Present Volunteer Judge-Loyola School of Law Moot Court Competition
1993-1997 Chairman, LA Board of Examiners for Certified Court Reporters
1990-1993 Adjunct Faculty Member-Tulane University School of Law Trial Advocacy Program
1983-1986 Comarda, Cannizzaro and Associates: General Practice Law Firm, Specializing in Criminal Law
Orleans Indigent Defender Program-Staff Attorney
1978-1983 Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office-Assistant District Attorney
-Chief of Trial Division (1982-1983)
-Responsible for supervision of all Felony Trial Attorneys in Criminal District Court
-Prosecuted approximately 100 Felony Jury Trials
-Presented select homicide, rape, sex offender and narcotics cases to the Orleans Parish Grand Jury
ACHIEVEMENTS:
2002 Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Pioneer in Recovery Award
2001 Frederick J. Gisevius Distinguished Alumni Award-Loyola University School of Law
1994-2000 Top Overall Performing Judge-Metropolitan Crime Commission
1994 Outstanding Jurist Award-Victims and Citizens Against Crime
1988, `90, '91, Orleans Parish District Attorney's Award-in recognition of Outstanding Judicial Performance
1991 Distinguished Alumnus Award-DeLaSalle High School
1986 Youth Achievement Award-American Italian Federation of the Southeast
Merit Award for Judicial Temperament and Outstanding Service-Alliance for Good Government
1978 Louisiana Civil Procedure Award-Loyola University School of Law
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
2001-Present Christian Brothers School Board Member
1996-2000 Christian Brothers Foundation Board Member
1992-1995 Alumni Representative-Athletic Council-University of New Orleans
1991-95, 2001-2005 University of New Orleans Alumni Association
1986-2008 Louisiana 4th and 5thCircuit Judges Association
2003- 2005 Substance Abuse Services Alliance (SASA) - Board Member
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
-Elected and re-elected twice citywide as Judge, Orleans Criminal District Court Section "J";
- Elected in 2002 to Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal
1. What is the depth of your experience in the area of criminal justice? Prosecutor? Defense Attorney? Judge?
Thirty years experience in the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court: as Prosecutor, (5 years as Assistant D.A. including one year as Chief of Trials); Defense Attorney (2 ½ years Private Practice and OIDP); Criminal District Court Judge (17 years); Judge, 4th Circuit Court of Appeal (5 years); prosecuted approximately 100 felony jury trials as Assistant D.A. as Judge, presided over more than 1,800 felony jury trials.
2. What uniquely qualifies you for this office?
30 years experience in the system. I know the Criminal Justice from every angle: its strengths and weakness; how each part of the system interacts and the problems created when the parts break down. Without a comprehensive understanding of how all parts work and the institutional knowledge to lead and administrate effectively, the system comes to a grinding halt; criminals go free and victims are victimized by the very system that should instead serve their needs.
The D.A. must interact effectively and efficiently with police, criminal sheriff, victims, witnesses, clerk's office, defense attorneys, probation officers and judges to bring cases to trial. As a successful leader and administrator, I presided over 1,800 felony jury trials in a manner so exemplary that from 1994 to 2000, the Metropolitan Crime Commission honored me as a Top Overall Performing Judge. My record shows what I will do when elected District Attorney. Crime is too rampant to have any on-the-job training period. I am uniquely qualified in every area to lead from the day I take my oath.
3. Do you think the pressure to move cases as rapidly as possible is compatible with justice, or is this a conflict?
Justice delayed is justice denied. Conflict arises when trials are not moved quickly: victims, witnesses and defendants are deprived of their day in Court. I've demonstrated throughout my career my commitment to justice and speedy trials that properly serve both the public and those charged with offenses.
4. What steps will you take to provide effective witness protection?
Assistant D.A.'s will be available at crime scenes of violent offenses (i.e. Murders, Rapes, Armed Robberies) to begin relationships with witnesses immediately and establish a basis for trust and cooperation. I'll work with law enforcement from other parishes to create an effective Regional Witness Protection Program, moving witnesses where they will be safe, yet accessible. Witnesses to violent crime suffer retaliation in the same neighborhoods where they observe criminal activity. To protect witnesses, we must relocate them utilizing: the Regional Witness Protection Program; state and federal agencies to provide safe housing; schooling for their children; and other service agencies providing other needed services. I would give notification to other law enforcement agencies of the presence of the witnesses who need protection.
5. How will you integrate the work of the District Attorney's office with the Police Department?
D.A. and Police officer training sessions will be implemented to aid in Report Writing, Interview Techniques, Courtroom Testimony and Crime Scene Investigation. Additionally, a liaison D.A. will be assigned to Police Relations to help with problems police may have concerning the criminal justice system.
6. What will you do to retain experienced prosecutors and support staff for the office?
Committed leadership is needed to bring a sense of pride and quality to the Office of the DA. Legislative packages are needed to increase compensation to D.A.'s and staff to a competitive level, so we can hire and retain quality, committed employees.
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