Building a Fair Justice System in
Chittenden County
We are making real progress toward a justice system in Chittenden County that is fair, accountable, and rooted in our shared values. True justice means repairing harm, addressing root causes, centering victims, and treating every person with dignity, not criminalizing poverty, addiction, or mental health challenges. At a time when the Donald Trump administration and its allies push fear and “law and order” politics, we are standing firm in Vermont’s tradition of fairness, independence, and compassion. We can keep moving forward by holding systems accountable, making clear that ICE is not welcome in our community, and building a justice system grounded in evidence, integrity, and real public safety.
Here Are Some Examples of How Sarah Has, and Will Continue to, Serve the Residents of Chittenden County
-
In the wake of COVID-19, our court system faced an unprecedented backlog that delayed justice, frustrated victims, and allowed repeat offenses to go unaddressed. Since 2022, we have made substantial progress by cutting active cases in half and dramatically reducing the backlog. Through innovative solutions like a specialized diversion program, the Accountability Court project, and a dedicated weekly docket for repeat offenders, we’ve resolved hundreds of cases more efficiently while ensuring each one receives the attention it deserves. Moving forward, our office will continue prioritizing timely, fair resolutions and maintaining the systems that have restored momentum to our courts.
-
In 2022, our community experienced a troubling rise in violent crime, including gunfire incidents and homicides that deeply impacted public safety. Since then, we have worked closely with law enforcement to resolve the majority of those cases and hold offenders accountable. As a result, homicides have significantly decreased in the years since. Our focus now is to sustain this progress by balancing prevention with accountability. Ensuring that violent offenders are held responsible while continuing to strengthen the conditions that keep our communities safe.
-
Federal immigration enforcement actions have created fear and undermined trust within our community. I have taken a clear stance against these tactics, joining national efforts to hold federal authorities accountable and standing firm in support of local values. Maintaining trust between the justice system and the community is essential to public safety. I will continue advocating for humane policies and ensuring that fear is never used as a tool in our justice system.
-
Healthcare workers, especially in emergency departments, were facing increasing levels of violence. Through direct collaboration with hospital staff, improvements in reporting systems, and faster case handling, we’ve made measurable progress, reducing incidents by over 50%. By maintaining close coordination and oversight, we will continue protecting frontline workers and ensuring accountability for violence in healthcare settings.
-
Domestic violence cases require a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach, and we recognized the need to improve how these cases were handled. By creating a dedicated Domestic Violence Investigator position, we’ve strengthened evidence collection, improved victim engagement, and built more effective cases that center survivor experiences. This work has helped ensure that victims are heard, believed, and supported. Looking ahead, we will continue expanding these practices to further strengthen trust and outcomes for survivors.
-
Relationships between prosecutors and law enforcement were strained during the pandemic and its aftermath, making collaboration more difficult. Since then, we have rebuilt those partnerships through consistent communication, shared training, and a commitment to transparency. Today, coordination across departments is stronger and more effective. We will continue fostering these relationships to ensure investigations are thorough, prosecutions are fair, and outcomes are consistent.
-
Our community has been deeply impacted by substance use and overdose fatalities. Recognizing that incarceration is not the solution, we expanded access to Treatment Court and aligned our programs with national best practices. These efforts, combined with strong partnerships in harm reduction, have contributed to a significant drop in overdose deaths. In 2022 we lost 54 community members to fatal overdose. In 2023, 52. In 2024, 45. In 2025, 27.
At the same time, we continue to hold accountable those who exploit addiction by trafficking dangerous drugs into our community. Moving forward, we will deepen our investment in treatment, prevention, and policies that prioritize health and recovery over punishment.
-
A fragmented system once made it difficult to connect individuals with the services they needed. We have worked to change that by building strong partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations. Together, we’ve expanded restorative justice programs, diversion opportunities, and real-time collaboration to address challenges as they arise. Going forward, we will continue strengthening these networks to ensure people are connected to housing, treatment, and support systems that lead to long-term stability.
-
Following the disruptions of the COVID era, rebuilding internal stability was critical. Today, our office is staffed by a dedicated, experienced team that works cohesively to deliver fair and efficient outcomes. This strong foundation has allowed us to make meaningful progress across all areas of our work. Looking ahead, we are committed to maintaining this stability, supporting our team, and continuing to lead with consistency, transparency, and integrity.
SARAH GEORGE’S Policies
Since being Chittenden County State’s Attorney, Sarah has strengthened the level of transparency between her office and the community. Sarah has put all of her policies in writing, she has announced such policies through the press and social media, and she has made clear the mission and the values of her office.
Bail Policy
This Bail Policy reflects the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office’s commitment to eliminating requests by prosecutors for cash bail, recognizing that it unfairly punishes people based on income rather than risk. Instead, prosecutors seek the least restrictive conditions to ensure public safety and court appearance, without requesting bail. The policy aims to reduce unnecessary pretrial detention, protect the presumption of innocence, and avoid coercive pressures to accept plea deals, while supporting fair and effective alternatives that keep people in the community.
Non Public Safety Stop Policy
This policy distinguishes between “public safety stops” and “non-public safety stops” to guide law enforcement practices, emphasizing that traffic stops should primarily focus on behaviors that pose a real risk to others, such as reckless driving, excessive speeding, or impaired driving. It identifies many common minor violations, like equipment issues, expired registration, or low-level infractions, as non-public safety stops, which do not inherently threaten public safety and should be treated differently. The policy also highlights concerns around consent searches, noting that drivers may feel pressured to agree even when not legally required, and underscores the need for thoughtful, fair enforcement that prioritizes safety while minimizing unnecessary or inequitable police interactions.
FIPP Statement
The Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office affirms its commitment to fair and impartial policing by urging Vermont communities to adopt stronger protections that limit local involvement in federal immigration enforcement and address systemic discrimination. It emphasizes that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not a local one, and highlights the importance of preventing racial profiling, protecting the rights of immigrant and BIPOC communities, and ensuring accountability for police misconduct. By advocating for policies that restrict information-sharing with federal authorities, protect victims and witnesses regardless of immigration status, and build trust between law enforcement and the community, the policy promotes a safer, more equitable justice system grounded in transparency, fairness, and public trust.
Racial Equity Policy
The Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office recognizes the deep and persistent racial disparities that exist within the criminal justice system and the role that prosecutorial discretion plays in shaping those outcomes. In response, this policy commits the office to advancing racial equity by reducing unnecessary incarceration, addressing the collateral consequences of prosecution decisions, and prioritizing alternatives to traditional punitive approaches, particularly for cases involving poverty, substance use, and mental health needs. It also calls for ongoing anti-bias training, improved access to data for accountability, and evaluation standards that focus on meaningful public safety outcomes rather than conviction or incarceration rates. Overall, the policy directs prosecutors to use their discretion to promote fairness, reduce disparities, and move the system toward more just and equitable outcomes.
Truancy Policy
This policy establishes county-wide criteria for when the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office will file truancy petitions, emphasizing that court involvement in school absenteeism should be used only in the most serious and urgent cases where schools are unable to address underlying issues on their own. It seeks to ensure consistency across schools while recognizing that requiring families to appear in court can create significant hardship and should not be used as a scare tactic. The policy also requires schools to document underlying causes of absenteeism, prior interventions, and why court action is necessary, with deadlines and procedural requirements intended to ensure that truancy cases are thoughtful, targeted, and focused on support rather than punishment.
Chittenden County Bill of Values
The Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office mission is to “do justice” by using its authority with fairness, humility, and respect while serving the community through support for victims, families, and defendants. It emphasizes accountability not only for individuals but for the justice system itself, and prioritizes solutions that improve safety and wellbeing over punishment alone. The office commits to addressing systemic racism and discrimination, using discretion to charge only provable cases, and focusing on diversion, treatment, and restorative approaches whenever possible. It also seeks to center survivor needs, avoid wealth-based disparities, protect constitutional rights, and ensure decisions are based on evidence, context, and public safety rather than vengeance. Overall, the mission outlines a justice system grounded in fairness, transparency, and reducing harm while recognizing people’s capacity for change.
Buprenorphine Policy
This policy directs the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office to decline prosecution of misdemeanor possession of buprenorphine, including Suboxone, recognizing these medications as critical, life-saving tools in treating opioid use disorder. By supporting access to medication-assisted treatment, the policy aims to reduce relapse, overdose deaths, and crime, while prioritizing public health and recovery over criminalization. The year after this policy was implemented in Chittenden County the Legislature decriminalized the possession of Buprenorphine statewide.
Make a Donation
Support Sarah’s work to build a fair justice system by making a donation today at the link below; or send checks made payable to Sarah For States Attorney to PO Box 104, Burlington Vermont 05402.
