Prosecutor focuses on needs of crime victims

Stacey Pires Veroni, deputy chief of the criminal division of the R.I. attorney general’s office, was recently honored by the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association with the 11th Annual Ada Sawyer Award for Excellence.

PBN: What does a deputy chief of the criminal division do?
VERONI: There are five deputy chiefs of the criminal division, which is made up of specialized prosecution units, as well as a pool of trial attorneys. I am responsible for the performance of our victim services team and for the team of prosecutors who handle our daily criminal violations calendar. I also oversee our domestic violence and elder abuse units, and I have a caseload that includes murders, embezzlement, child molestation, organized crime and public corruption.

PBN: What has attracted you to criminal law?
VERONI: Since taking my high school civics class, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I thought being a criminal lawyer would be an exciting career, and took internships with both the public defender’s office and attorney general’s office and learned this to be true.

 
PBN: How has being a woman affected your career?
VERONI: As with any position or assignment, you bring life’s experiences and perspectives with you, and I’m sure that is what impacts my performance. I recognize that, at times, victims of violence and sexual assault are more comfortable in speaking with or confiding in a female prosecutor. This can enable a case or interview to go more smoothly.

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PBN: What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?

VERONI: I don’t know where to begin. … There’s the thrill of being on [a] trial and of putting together a good memo or brief, but I think that the most satisfying aspect of the job is being in a position of trust and knowing that I have great responsibilities – and feeling that I am fulfilling my responsibilities.

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