Democracy In Albany - New York Politics ||

DA Soares and the Houghtailing case

By RodneyDem, Section Diaries
Posted on Thu May 17, 2007 at 09:11:12 PM EST

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=590366&category=&BCCode=&newsdate=5/1 7/2007

The case was a failure on many levels.

This was the longest case in Albany County history - significant tax dollars were spent on this case.
The result of this case is that, at maximum, two people will serve 4 years in prison.
During the trial it was found that the DA's office withheld evidence. Prosecutorial misconduct was declared.

Doing quick research on the case also revealed an additional interesting point which, to my knowledge, went largely unnoticed locally.

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/2007/032607WatchdogOrLapdog.html

This editorial alleges that "Soares has been practicing law and acting as district attorney since October 2006 after failing to renew his attorney registration."

This is the first I have heard of this. Is this true?

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+ http://tim esunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=590366&category=&BCCode=&newsdate=5/1 7/2007
+ http://www .northcountrygazette.org/articles/2007/032607WatchdogOrLapdog.html
+ RodneyDem's Diary

DA Soares and the Houghtailing case | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)

it's easy to second guess (none / 0) (#1)
by kateb on Fri May 18, 2007 at 03:47:43 AM EST

Cases like this are always going to be difficult.

If this is true (none / 0) (#2)
by firefoxfan on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:08:36 AM EST

Then the man isn't worth our respect. How can you be in charge of prosecuting people and not have a license to do so?

Sounds like a different variant of the Albany progressive double standard: lets criticize the status quo while our golden boy (Soares) and the godfather (Keefe) break the law. Throwing stones-glass houses--ring a bell?

rodney (none / 0) (#3)
by DIA on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:24:52 AM EST

old news my friend. and it really wasn't news. as part of an editorial policy I just made up I'm going to ask you not to link to a crap website like the north country gazette. At one point that person was trying to say that the DA couldn't prosectute the steroids case because he wasn't licensed in Florida. the guy doesn't have a good grasp on the facts. But i'm sure you'll like what he writes so perhaps you should spend more time there.

Is it true or not? (none / 0) (#4)
by firefoxfan on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:27:56 AM EST

Did the guy call and find that out about Soares or not?
Was it addressed on this blog?
Seriously, if its true, who cares what the source is?
Unless it isn't.

[ Parent ]

it wasn't addressed on this blog (none / 0) (#7)
by DIA on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:46:28 AM EST

by the time i heard about it, it was a non issue.

my understanding was that the DA did not pay his fee to register when it came up to be paid. the north country gazette said that this meant he was practicing law without a license and that all of the cases he has prosecuted had to be thrown out. the reality was that he just had to send in his fee because you get three notices before you have defaulted.

: thank you (none / 0) (#8)
by firefoxfan on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:48:48 AM EST

I'll take your word for it.

[ Parent ]

my 2 cents (none / 0) (#5)
by kateb on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:31:12 AM EST

I want a DA that doesn't shy away from tough cases. And I don't think this is a case of "failure". DAs are supposed to seek justice, not victory. Justice is with the jury.

I don't remember what happens if you're late re-registering. Check with the state agency that handles it. (They're very responsive.)

I said before I think this DA has a tendency to be out of touch, so it doesn't surprise me he was late. I bet he won't be late again.

FYI (none / 0) (#6)
by kateb on Fri May 18, 2007 at 05:42:10 AM EST

Firefoxfan, there's an "interesting" history about the North Country Gazette and its founder. Look it up. She's been in a lot of trouble.

I've also seen her get basic facts wrong often (what a judge said, for example). She also does not correct basic mistakes, unlike other media.

I think you can make your points without going there. You've been right about other things "political types" didn't see. Stay with that.

Albany DA's Office (none / 0) (#9)
by nitevision on Fri May 18, 2007 at 07:25:29 AM EST

Three years of working almost exclusively on one case? - Readers are missing the point.

David is good about grabbing headlines, Porco, Heversi, Florida steroids, etc. Talk to the attorneys who deal with his office on a regular basis. You will discover an almost universal opinion that the DA's office is dysfunctional.

I continue to believe in David's sincerity but give him an "F" on managing his office. There appears to be little or no supervision of staff members. The lack of supervision costs every one of us real dollars. Recklessly pursuing some cases unworthy of prosecution while letting others fall the the cracks points to his lack of management skills. I am beginning to ask if David has fallen into a political mode of getting re-elected at all costs rather than representing the people which his oath requires.

DA Soares and the Houghtailing case | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)

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