Maurice Chenier
- Office: District Attorney
- Election Date: November 8, 2022
- Candidate: Maurice Chenier
- Due Date: Friday, August 19, 2022
- Printable Version
Thank you for seeking GrowSF's endorsement for the 2022 District Attorney election! GrowSF believes in a growing, beautiful, vibrant, healthy, safe, and prosperous city via common sense solutions and effective government.
The GrowSF endorsement committee will review all completed questionnaires and seek consensus on which candidates best align with our vision for San Francisco and have the expertise to enact meaningful policy changes.
We ask that you please complete this questionnaire by Friday, August 19, 2022 so we have enough time to adequately review and discuss your answers.
Vision
GrowSF believes in a growing, beautiful, vibrant, healthy, safe, and prosperous San Francisco. We work to propose and pass laws that align incentives of private businesses and individuals to promote shared prosperity for every San Franciscan.
This section of our questionnaire seeks to help us gain an understanding of your alignment with our vision for San Francisco. Note that some of the questions may be outside the scope of the office you're running for.
Short-form questions
Please mark the box that best aligns with your position. You may explain any position if you so desire, but this section is designed to be a quick overview of your governing philosophy and view of the city's problems.
Victims' rights
| In general, is it too hard, just right, or too easy for a victim of crime to… | Too hard | Just right | Too easy |
|---|---|---|---|
| File a police report | x | ||
| Recover a stolen item like a bike or laptop computer | x | ||
| File a domestic violence or rape report | x | ||
| File a burglary report | x | ||
| Receive the support they need | x |
If you want to explain any positions above, please feel free:Available resources are not used.As a result, the enforcement mechanism is completely deficient based upon shortcomings of the current DAs office.
Police
| In general, is it too hard, just right, or too easy for the police to… | Too hard | Just right | Too easy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest drug dealers | x | ||
| Arrest domestic violence offenders or rapists | x | ||
| Break up & arrest organized theft rings | x | ||
| Identify and arrest suspects | x |
If you want to explain any positions above, please feel free:
The current system simply recycles criminal offenders including violent offenders. There must be drastic changes to the enforcement system in order to prevent the current ineffective system.
The DA's office
| In general, is it too hard, just right, or too easy for the DA's office to… | Too hard | Just right | Too easy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge & prosecute known drug dealers | x | ||
| Charge & prosecute rapists | x | ||
| Charge & prosecute domestic violence offenders | x | ||
| Charge & prosecute organized theft rings | x | ||
| Charge & prosecute hate crimes | x | ||
| Hold police accountable, both for performance and misconduct | x |
If you want to explain any positions above, please feel free:
My firm belief is that the current policies of the District Attorney's Office promote recurring crimes and recidivism. A more aggressive approach should be taken at all levels of the criminal prosecution including charging, enforcement and sentencing.
Budget
| Do you think San Francisco spends too little, too much, or just enough on… | Too little | Just enough | Enough, but badly | Too much |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police and public safety | x | |||
| The DA's office | x | |||
| The Public Defender's office | ||||
| Homeless services | x | |||
| Drug prevention and treatment | x |
If you want to explain any positions above, please feel free:
Based upon the effectiveness of the current system I can only comment that enough is not being done. There needs to be a system of allocation and reallocation of resources to make a more effective law enforcement profile for all the various offices mentioned.
What are the top three issues facing San Francisco, and what would you like to see change?I want to focus a victim-based campaign. The top three issues are homicides, property crimes, and elimination of unfettered drug use and related crimes.
Tell us one thing you think needs to change in SF that the average voter wouldn't know about.
Many times when a repeat offender is charged with a probation violation, the District Attorney's Office does not charge the offender with two separate crimes. That policy needs to be permanently changed. If there is a probation violation for a series offender, the District Attorney's Office should not only prosecute the full probation violation but, in addition, charge the repeat offender with the new crime or crimes. Since this is not being done, offenders are recycled back into the system shortly after committing crimes over and over again.
Long-form questions
This section is optional.
We know your time is short, so please feel free to respond to the questions below which you think are most relevant to the position you're running for (but you are, of course, welcome to answer all of them). It is not necessary to answer these questions to secure our endorsement, but more context always helps us make better decisions.
The DA's office
What are the top issues facing San Francisco, and what do you intend to do to solve them?
Homicides, drugs, property crimes.
What is your position on first time non-violent drug dealing offenses?
Because the current system is an catastrophe mode, even first-time nonviolent drug dealing offenses must be prosecuted. The mitigation would occur during sentencing. However there should be a definite commitment to enforcing the drug laws. Strict enforcement will assist first-time offenders and users with rehabilitation and lesson the likelihood of recidivism.
What is your position on repeat or violent drug dealing offenses?
As the district attorney I will strictly enforce the law with respect to repeat and violent drug offenders.
What is your position on drug possession offenses?
Drug offenses should be prosecuted notwithstanding any mitigation during sentencing. However, if there is a minor drug possession offense, the primary focus will be to assist the offender in seeking assistance and help. This will require the DA to maintain a system of compliance. As DA I will set up a task force for compliance even for minor drug offenses to lessen the likelihood of recidivism.
How should the DA's office and SFPD interact with homeless individuals?
The DA should work in close concert with the SF PD to resolve the current homeless problem. Although there is a general categorization of a "homeless problem" there are numerous other crimes being committed by homeless individuals including drug offenses, property crime offenses and violent crimes. As such, the DA and SFP the should work together to discern which homeless individuals are in fact more of a risk to the city and the general public. In doing so, I will set up a task force to identify a joint plan with the SF PD to combat the current homeless problem.
What will you do differently from your predecessor?
My administration will be a victim based administration. There will be no excuses for violent crimes just prosecutions. A more strict approach to law enforcement will be employed. However, I will also set up a task force to determine appropriate mitigation in certain appropriate instances.
How will you reform the criminal justice system while also ensuring residents, tourists, and businesses are safe from crime?
My administration will be victim based. Protection of the public and restoration of law and order will be the primary focus. Therefore, I will work to keep tourists, residents and businesses safe from crime. As previously stated, I will strictly enforce the law for violent offenses and certain property crimes.
What does success look like to you?
A city where the citizens feel safe again and free from the title wave of crime that is plagued the city for the past 20 years. Increase in tourism, resolution of the homeless problem, resolution of the drug use and distribution problem. A city where the youth are guided into programs which will ensure their success. As such, as the DA I will set up a task force to immediately began enforcing citywide programs which will include addressing all aspects of the same i.e. identifying the problem, proposing an immediate solution,. The primary focus will be a place where the citizens will not feel imprisoned by the current title wave of crime.
Victims' rights
Do victims receive adequate support from the DA's office? Why or why not?
As the victim of a crime on several occasions and in dealing with the DAs office with respect to my nephew's homicide in 2005 I would say that the DAs office has completely failed the citizens and residents of San Francisco. Based upon my personal experience and additional experiences, there are too many bureaucrats with personal agendas unwilling to enforce the law and as a result we have been overwhelmed with a cesspool of criminality. I plan to change the primary focus from the offender to the victim with an eye towards prevention, restitution, and re-education
What would you change about the support victims receive?
The entire approach to charging crime should be changed. Reasonable doubt does not mean no doubt. Victims should be given more support from the DAs office regarding the status of prosecution and the particular reasons for lack of enforcement. I will incorporate the victims in every stage of the prosecution of the crimes that have been levied against them. I will petition the state for additional funding to assist victims and set up a task force for victim reporting wherein the victims are more informed and given information periodically regarding the progress of the prosecution's. The victims will be able to complain about and seek resolution of any deficiencies at any stage of the prosecution.
What, if any, crimes would you prioritize when considering the needs of victims? How would you implement this and what would you do?
Again my entire campaign is victim based. As set forth above my priorities would be homicides, property crimes and drug crimes. I intend to set up a task force for enforcement of any sentencing as a supplement to the probation department. Also intend to charge both probation violations and new crimes as opposed to simply violating probation. I plan to strictly enforce the law for repeat offenders who commit violent crimes. I plan to expand the classification of property crimes as well as drug crimes.
When, if at all, is it appropriate to charge children as adults?
The approach would have to be on a case by case basis and additional facts will be needed to respond to this question. For example is a child identified as anything under 18 or would there be sub classifications? In my opinion it would have to be done on a case-by-case basis. So for example if there is a repeat offender who was 17 years old who commits a homicide, there would be a strong consideration as to whether to charge that person as an adult. Nevertheless, answering the question in a vacuum would require additional information.
Public health
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites in San Francisco?
As it pertains to public restrooms yes. As it pertains to drug use, I am not in support of the current open-air drug market system. Whether it be used, purchase, or sale. Because of the current catastrophe mode, the approach should be compliance and rehabilitation as opposed to encouraging drug use on the streets.
Do you support our current laissez-faire approach to open-air drug usage? What would you change?
There will be a system of strict enforcement of the law, compliance with the law. The current approach to the open-air drug drug market would not be tolerated. In my opinion, it is in catastrophe mode and requires an immediate response to clean up the problem
Police
What do you consider are some recent successes and struggles of SFPD?
I am supportive of our Police Department and think that they have been unfairly singled out for many of the problems which will involve a community approach. I plan to work with police and not against police.
In what ways can the SFPD shift its priorities to better serve the city?
I am personally aware that the SF PD has had many struggles with the DA in the last 20 years. I plan to change that and incorporate the SF PD into a joint effort to resolve the current problems with unsolved homicides, homicides, property crimes, drug use, and other violent crimes.
How do you intend to work with SFPD towards your goals?
I am going to work directly with police from day one as opposed to fighting with him regarding which case should be tried. Gone are the days of the Ramey warrant wars of 2004 through 2010
How can your office help improve morale and performance at SFPD?
I intend to work directly with the police and if a good arrest is made for a definite violation of the law I intend to enforce the same including prosecution, sentencing, and subsequent compliance.
Budget
Is the DA's office adequately funded?
No.
Which DA programs or departments need increased funding? Which could get by with less funding?
Increase funding needed for Victims rights, grand juries, trial training, appellate training, law and motion,Investigation and recruitment.
If you could wave a magic wand, how might you change the budget for the DA, Public Defender, and SFPD?
As the DA, my concern would be changing the charging standards for the various crimes that have plagued the city. It would be incumbent upon the different departments of the law enforcement system to seek the funding needed to effectively run the office. However, I believe that we need to hire more police and more district attorneys to meet the current title wave of crime which I believe is an catastrophe mode/crisis mode..
Policy
Now that we know where you align and differ from our vision for San Francisco, we'd like to get some details about how you intend to use your elected office to achieve your goals.
Why are you running for District Attorney?
To combat the current title wave of crime, to bring justice to numerous homicides that have occurred over the years including the literal hundreds of homicides that have not been resolved, to prevent future homicides, to prevent future crimes, to prevent the widespread unfettered property crimes that are occurring in the city to end the open air drug market and wide spread drug dealing and use, to end the assaults and batteries on the good citizens including a reduction in the number of violent crimes and to make the city safe again.
What is your #1 policy goal?
Victim based. A more strict approach to law enforcement will be employed until there is some sort of control over the current title wave of crime. My number one policy goal is to enforce violations of the law
How will you build the coalition and political capital to enact your #1 goal?
My primary goal will be to enforce violations of the law.I do not believe that political capital is needed. The citizens and residents of San Francisco have spoken with regard to the response they expect from the DA regarding the current title wave of crime. I will do everything within my power within the confines of the office that I am elected to to achieve these goals.
Will the power of the office of District Attorney be enough to achieve this goal?
A community effort will be required to address the current catastrophic state of the crime in San Francisco. No one office can eliminate the problem. Acting in concert with other offices and departments will substantially increase the likelihood of making the improvements intended
What are your #2 and #3 policy goals?
Drastic reduction in crime overall. Drastic increase in prosecution of crimes.
Will the power of the office of District Attorney be enough to achieve these goals?
Community effort will be required from various departments.
What is an existing policy you would like to reform?
DAs discretion to prosecute crimes when there is sufficient evidence
What is an "out there" change that you would make to SF / local government / policy, if you could? (For example: adding at-large supervisors, changing how elections work, creating a Bay Area regional government, etc.)
Obviously, additional funding would help all departments. However there must be oversight so that the funding is not used inappropriately. NA.
Personal
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Why did you become a prosecutor?
Frustrated with the rampant criminality with no visible end in sight.
Why do you have an interest in being District Attorney?
Frustrated with the rampant criminality with no visible end in sight
What do you want to be remembered for, and why?
Someone who was dissatisfied with the current system, had the courage to attempt to make a change on behalf of the city; and for the benefit of the city; to make the city safer for all residents.
How long have you lived in San Francisco? What brought you here and what keeps you here?
I was born and raised in San Francisco California. I attended St. Michael's Catholic grammar school, St. Ignatius college preparatory high school, the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University and law school at Santa Clara University school of Law. I played sports here, practice my faith here, have been involved with the community for many many years.
What do you love most about San Francisco?
I believe the San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities geographically in the world. The people are generally good people and some of the nicest in the entire world.
What do you dislike the most about San Francisco?
The current state of crime
Tell us about your current involvement in the community (e.g., volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, civic and professional organizations, etc.)
I have stood up against the tidal wave of crime in 2004 through 2009. I have participated in food banks, assisted veterans, served as pro bono counsel for indigent immigrants facing deportation and involved in numerous other professional organizations which benefit the community and the legal profession.
Thank you
Thank you for giving us your time and answering our questionnaire. We look forward to reading your answers and considering your candidacy!
If you see any errors on this page, please let us know at contact@growsf.org.