In the city of Austin, Texas, a former prosecutor is making headlines as he runs against his former boss, the Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza. Jeremy Sylestine, a defense attorney and former prosecutor with 15 years of experience, has criticized Garza's policies for being 'hurtful to the community' and driven by political ideology rather than upholding the law.
Sylestine points out that during his time in Garza's office, he noticed a decline in expertise and a lack of attention to basic functions. He strongly believes that the results of cases and the increasing crime rates in the county are a reflection of this. With a focus on 'reimagining policing' and prosecuting police officers, Garza's office has faced criticism for being soft on crime and ignoring the wishes of crime victims and their families.
As a defense attorney, Sylestine has listened to the concerns of these families and aims to 'return power to the victims.' He believes that the current system is not designed to protect their rights and wants to ensure that the DA's office takes responsibility for putting their best foot forward when the evidence is strong in a case. By doing so, he hopes to instill confidence in victims and survivors that someone is willing to fight for their justice.
Despite being a 'proud Democrat' who believes in progressive reforms, Sylestine emphasizes that these tools must be used properly to benefit the community. He points out the danger of ignoring crimes and going easy on sentencing, arguing that the opinions of citizens and juries matter in upholding justice. Sylestine cites a specific case where the DA's office missed a deadline, resulting in the release of a violent offender who went on to commit murder. He believes such incidents need to be highlighted to prompt change.
One of the major issues plaguing Austin has been the strained relationship between the Austin Police Department (APD) and Garza's office since the city council defunded the police in 2020. Garza's promise to prosecute police officers and subsequent indictments have further damaged the morale within APD. Sylestine acknowledges the need for drastic recalibration and rebuilding trust between the DA's office and the police. Having worked closely with law enforcement in his previous role, he asserts that accountability is essential while fostering strong communication and trust.
Addressing the backlog of cases in Garza's office, Sylestine points out the consequences of running off experienced prosecutors, leading to a dearth of expertise. With over 7000 pending cases, the current situation is untenable. Despite the pandemic, Sylestine questions why Garza hasn't made significant progress in addressing this backlog over his three-year tenure as the district attorney.
As the Democratic primary approaches, Sylestine's pitch to undecided voters is centered on the need for a total shift in leadership within the district attorney's office. He highlights the level of ineptitude and flawed policies that have created a dangerous situation in Travis County. While acknowledging the importance of progressive traditions, he believes that public and community safety should not be sacrificed. People should feel safe and secure in their own city, free from the fear of violence.
Sylestine confidently asserts that he is a qualified candidate who understands Travis County and its juries. He is determined to get the job done while upholding progressive values and ensuring public safety. His goal is to address the concerns of the residents who often feel ignored and displaced by the actions of the current DA's office.
In the upcoming primary, it will be up to the voters of Austin to decide whether they support a change in leadership and whether Jeremy Sylestine is the candidate who can deliver on their expectations.
