GUEST OPINION
BY JEFF ROSEN
As district attorney of Santa Clara County, I oversaw the successful prosecution and conviction of rapist Brock Turner.
The judge imposed a lawful, though far too lenient, sentence that was recommended by the county’s Probation Department. I vehemently opposed the sentence. Our reaction to it was swift, decisive and fair. It was not an attack on the judge. We acted against an outdated law. We fought against the false notion that the rape of an unconscious woman was somehow less violent, less serious, less traumatic, less.
“On nights when you feel alone, I am with you. When people doubt you or dismiss you, I am with you. I fought every day for you. So never stop fighting, I believe you.”
— Emily Doe
Standing a few feet away from me, Emily Doe read her letter that included that passage to Brock Turner’s back.
I had no idea at the time that her sadness and anger with Turner’s sentence would change the way the world thinks about sexual assault, that millions would be deeply moved.
I only knew that I was. I released the letter that day with hopes that perhaps it might help some local victims. It spread within days from that courtroom in Palo Alto to millions of people around the world.
Within months, actor Sharon Stone was reading Emily Doe’s letter in front of legislators, law enforcement, advocates and experts at a symposium on Campus Sexual Assault that we convened at Santa Clara University. At its completion we announced that Santa Clara, San Jose State and Stanford had — along with our office — co-signed an unprecedented memorandum of understanding dictating how we would better coordinate our handling of campus sex assaults.
Law changes
Then, I wrote the law later enacted by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown making sure that future Brock Turners will be sent to prison, where rapists belong.
Even Emily Doe told Turner that she hoped that he would remake his name and make the world a better place.
Our actions were meant to tangibly address the national frustration that arose from conditions that allowed for Turner’s sentence.
They were made through reflection and reason, not revenge.
Notwithstanding my strong disappointment at the sentence, I am firmly opposed to the recall of Judge Persky.
Subjecting judges to recall when they follow the law and do something unpopular undermines judicial independence. This value is more important than any outcome in any individual case. When judges believe that they will lose their careers for making unpopular but lawful decisions, they may lack the courage to stand up for the rights of minorities or others needing protection from powerful majorities or those with even understandably inflamed passions.
Were it not for this principle, it is hard to see how our country would have cherished rights that we now sometimes take for granted: civil rights, integrated schools, free speech, access to birth control, and marriage equality, to name a few.
Judges who made unpopular decisions in favor of these values have been threatened with recall or have been recalled, even in recent years.
No pattern by Persky
I support the principle of recall, but only in circumstances where a judge has exhibited a pattern of abuse or favor for one group of people over another, is unable to perform his duties, or is biased.
The findings of our local bar, the State’s Commission of Judicial Performance, and my review of Judge Persky’s decisions have concluded the same thing: there is no pattern.
Perhaps we should think less about Brock Turner’s sentence and more about Emily Doe’s sentences. Let’s heed the calls for help from millions of survivors, rather than recall a single judge.
Jeff Rosen is the Santa Clara County District Attorney. He has held that post since 2010.
Interesting. Emily Doe supports the recall. I wonder if Rosen asked her how she feels about having her name and words used in Rosen’s political endorsement? This seems really bad to a rape victim as a political prop. If she didn’t consent, that would be ironic.
I would imagine that she would feel the same as Rosen, Hon. Ladoris Cordell, and Hon. Del Pozzo, and the LA Times, whose words have been used as a prop for the recall campaign, when they all, in fact, reject the recall.
I’d like to see the District Attorney write an editorial explaining why he shielded a tech CEO from deportation to India after his second domestic violence conviction. Does Rosen fight for victims? Not all the time.
Absolutely pathetic. Rosen is a political opportunist running unopposed while the Turner Appeal is going on. And there wouldn’t even be a Recall if Rosen hadn’t filed the case. Two drunk college students would have been better off with counselling and social work and drinking awareness, versus what Rosen did. He’s a hack.
i think Persky and cronies forget that attempted rape, and rape are crimes of violence– not sex. It is NOT about dating, sex or lust. It is about power, dominance- and terror.
When men get raped in prison, it is not about ‘love and sex’ it is about who wields power,who controls the cells and abuse. In Persky’s world, ‘all men would rape’ if given a few beers. His view condemns every good man to knee-jerk cave man instincts. Persky failed to recognize the behavior for what it was: a first-time serial rapist who chose to wield power over an unconscious person. it is clear that Judge Persky needs re-training- or simply get off the bench
Your comment makes no sense. First of all, there was no rape under the California definition at the time of the Turner trial. Rape charges were dropped by the DA due to lack of evidence. Secondly, contrary to Emily Doe’s famous victim statement, the evidence submitted at trial was not consistent with violence – there were no pine needles found inside her on exam, for example, and the blood she described on her arms came from the IVs used by the paramedics. One has to wonder if this really was an encounter between two very drunk people that started off consensually and then went too far. I understand that Emily Doe’s intoxication made consent impossible, but it would appear that Turner’s own intoxication (twice the legal limit) made it possible he did not understand that. Does it mean that he is excused? Of course not. But it does make one question whether he really was able to form criminal intent. That actually matters under the law. And sorry, but “first-time serial rapist” is a contradiction in terms that makes no sense whatsoever.
Emily Doe told sheriffs that she has a history of blackout drunkenness, making Turner’s claim that she consented possible, a 50/50 chance. Reasonable doubt. And no DNA. Rosen should have dropped all charges, right then. But he feared the wrath of the Dauber Lynch Mob Machine aka Recall Persky campaign: “#MeToo scared to do my job”, Santa Clara D.A. It was either Rosen or Persky that Dauber would recall: Rosen if he refused to file for insufficient evidence; or Persky if he didn’t allow this case to move forward. The light sentencing is just a pretext for Dauber’s larger plan: the change the Rules of Evidence and Procedure. She wants guilty until proven innocent. And limited due process for All Males. The Jacobin Dauber had angry protesters outside the Courthouse.