Theo Inducted as Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation

Theo Stamos, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church, received statewide recognition for excellence when she was inducted as a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation at their annual meeting in Williamsburg on Thursday, January 24, 2019. The Virginia Law Foundation was created to encourage and recognize excellence in the practice of law and public service.

Ms. Stamos received this honor in recognition of her initiative and tireless efforts in creating and co-chairing the Justice & Professionalism Committee of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys since the committee’s inception in 2013. The Justice and Professionalism Committee serves as a forum for Virginia’s prosecutors to share information, remain current on legal, ethical and investigative practices, and to avoid erroneous convictions. Under Ms. Stamos’ leadership, the committee has published and distributed “The Right Thing – Every Time: Ethical Guidelines for Virginia’s Prosecutors” and “Officer Integrity Issues and Brady v. Maryland.”

Ms. Stamos also was instrumental in developing a collaborative program, The Prosecution Project, with the University of Richmond Law School. The Prosecution Project introduces law students to the professional roles of prosecutors, to their ethical responsibilities and the challenges faced by modern prosecutors in today’s rapidly changing environment. For four years the Prosecution Project successfully has educated law students about the critical role Virginia’s prosecutors play in the search for truth and in the administration of justice in Virginia.

Ms. Stamos serves on the Board of Directors of the Prosecutors Center for Excellence in Washington, DC, as well as on the Boards of the Arlington Bar Association and the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys. She has served Arlington County and the City of Falls Church for her entire legal career, starting as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in 1987 and serving as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2011.

While I understand the premise of the criticism, Let me say this, I HAVE tried a number of cases in Arlington in the past 20 years. I have tried them in Alexandria, Prince William, Fairfax, Stafford, and the federal court in the EDVA (Alexandria). I have also handled cases in NY, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, DC, Florida, Michigan, Washington, Ohio, Texas, California and numerous international investigations. The idea that there is something special or particular about Arlington is a false narrative. I agree there are some nuances to every court house (which take a real lawyer about a week to figure out). I am candidly more concerned about prosecutors who have never been on the defense, never been the victim of bad prosecutors and dirty cops. I am more concerned with prosecutors who know nothing about other areas of the law (civil litigation?) and have never represented a human being. Representing the government is a massive responsibility and requires judgment that many lack. I would not care if a great lawyer had not been in trial in a particular courthouse or courtroom at all. I am reminded of the scene in Hoosiers when they get to the state finals. Coach has them measure the height of the rim, the size of the lane. Tells them you will see it is the same game and the same rules. Don't be intimidated by the size of the arena. Players can play. It does not matter where the game is. I would take Jordan in any game anywhere on the planet as a teammate for a game of basketball. Same for great and talented trial lawyers. Is why in the biggest cases, with the most on the line, you often see the same people coming in to handle. Talent is talent. That said, I have appreciated the way Theo has managed her office. I have seen a dramatic change from the days of her predecessor. It has improved in a massive way. The Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is significantly better than it was. I think it is better than many (Stafford, PW, and Fairfax for sure). For the same reasons I respect Jim Plowman and call him a friend, I respect Theo and call her a friend. I think the focus in this race needs to be on progress. The ending of the problems we have IN EVERY JURISDICTION IN AMERICA, with racism and bigotry, the challenges in justice for those without resources. The proper handling of addicts and other people with afflictions. The importance of programs for our youth and our veterans so we are not making them into criminals. We cannot solve our problems as a society by locking people up or branding them with convictions. That is not the solution. Make some a felon and then tell me how they are going to turn anything around. There is a real need. Parisa has a groundswell and has received massive endorsements because she is championing much of the needed change. Ray Morrogh is facing the same problem in Fairfax. Saying change is not going to get it done for anyone anymore, people are paying attention and want real change. So rather than focus on who has tried a case where, let's focus on which substantive change is going to be put into action. I want to hear from every candidate how we are going to break the pipeline of poverty to prison. How we are going to end the days of double standards and over charging. How are we going to continue to support and train law enforcement to end implicit bias and improve community relations (so that anyone reading this knows, I LOVE most cops and have represented dozens of state and federal officers and am not a cop hater). But we need real change. Theo has started the cultural shift. In 20 years in that courthouse I have seen it first hand. But it is not enough. Arlington MUST get more change for everyone to benefit. If Parisa wins, she says she will do that. If Theo wins, she says she will do it. Arlington is lucky to be choosing between two sharp as tacks women. Let's just focus on who has real plans and will make real promises that they can fulfill to make the office what it should and can be.

So you don't manage the prosecutors in your office? Really? Interesting.

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