Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor's Manual

APPENDIX A

Sample Introductory Package

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

MADD letterhead with logo

April 15, 2006

Carol A. Peters
NDAA/NAPC Program Manager
Lane County District Attorney's Office
125 E. 8th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
carol.peters@ndaa-apri.org

RE: Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Dear Ms. Peters:

I am writing you for the purpose of memorializing Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD) support of Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors (TSRP) and thanking the National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators (NAPC) for its outstanding leadership in developing and promoting the TSRP program along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

As you know, the vast majority of our Nation’s prosecutor’s offices are significantly under funded and resourced. Consequently, most offices provide only minimal training to the young attorneys who handle misdemeanor driving while impaired (DWI) and driving under the influence (DWI) cases. Many of these prosecutors are ill-equipped to overcome the bevy of experienced defense lawyers and expert witnesses they face regularly. Indeed, one of the most common reasons that DWI/DWI drivers escape justice is the lack of adequate prosecutor training.

TSRPs substantially alleviate this problem by: 

  • Serving as their respective State’s experts on DWI/DWI law and evidence;
  • Providing continuing professional education on pertinent issues including trial advocacy, visual trial techniques, and complex defense challenges;
  • Researching and providing assistance on traffic safety issues (many TSRPs publish trial manuals, predicate questions, memoranda of law, and legal updates to keep their prosecutors current about the State of the law); and
  • Assisting or “second chairing” trial prosecutors on complex motions, hearings and trials.

TSRPs can also serve the traffic safety community and promote public understanding by:

  • Providing much needed leadership on a statewide basis;
  • Training law enforcement officers how to prepare their cases and testify in court;
  • Creating and distributing educational materials for public consumption (many TSRPs publish quarterly newsletters or engage in other outreach activities); and
  • Serving as a liaison between prosecutors and the traffic safety community.

In recognition of the TSRPs outstanding contributions to the public, the MADD National Board passed a resolution supporting them in February 2006. You can view the official statement and all other policies at www.madd.org.

Thank you again for your support of this valuable program. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, or if we may be of any service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at 202-974-2497.

 

Sincerely,

Talpins Signature
_________________________
Stephen K. Talpins
National Director of Public Policy
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

(Signed electronically)

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