Hallett touts experience as attorney, on bench

Attorney John W. Hallett has seen criminal cases from both sides of the court bench, serving as a judge and as defense counsel.

He said it is this perspective, coupled with a "proper judicial temperament," that makes him equipped to serve as Jefferson County Court judge, a seat he is seeking for a 10-year term.

"The people of Jefferson County have been very receptive to our positive message of change for Jefferson County Court," he said. "Initially, it appears very important that there is nothing wrong with a judge that believes both a criminal defendant and a victim have rights."

Mr. Hallett, who maintains a private law practice in the Paddock Arcade, has more than 20 years' experience in the legal field.

In addition to practicing criminal and family law, Mr. Hallett formerly headed public defenders' offices in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties and has served as LeRay town judge for the past six years, presiding over hundreds of cases.

Being both a judge and defense attorney are experiences from which Mr. Hallett draws his belief that both defendants and victims have rights that need to be protected. He said a top priority for a sentencing judge should be ensuring restitution for victims.

"I believe victim input is essential to pass a proper sentence," he said. "It's something that has to be taken quite seriously and a judge has to have a certain amount of empathy for the victim of a crime."

In addition to defendants and victims, Mr. Hallett said it is necessary for a judge to treat all people who come before him with the appropriate respect.

"It's important for the people of Jefferson County that the district attorneys and the public defenders are free to practice law and advocate for their clients without being yelled at or belittled by the court," he said. "I want to ensure an atmosphere in which they are free to do their jobs, be taken seriously and listened to. These people work for Jefferson County and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

Mr. Hallett said that he would never discuss a case "behind closed doors" unless an attorney requested it with the consent of the client. He suggested the case of a Redwood man who won an appeal of an attempted murder conviction in March was appealed in part because of in-chambers conversations. In that case, Judge Kim H. Martusewicz, Mr. Hallett's opponent, warned Gunther J. Flinn he may face a stiffer sentence if convicted at trial.

"Every defendant is entitled to a constitutional right to trial," Mr. Hallett said. "They should not be punished for exercising that right to take the case to trial."

In Mr. Flinn's case, a trial was held in early October before Judge Martusewicz. Mr. Flinn was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder and eight additional charges and potentially faces a longer prison sentence than was imposed for his initial guilty plea.

THE HALLETT FILE

John W. Hallett

PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican, Conservative

LAW SCHOOL: Syracuse University College of Law

FAMILY: Wife, Polly, children, Katie and Jedidiah