What Would the Democrats for Queens DA Do if Elected?

Does the candidate support decriminalizing sex work? Does the candidate support ending cash bail?

These are some of the questions that six Democrats running in the primary for Queens district attorney are having to answer as they look to reshape how crimes are prosecuted, and change how much jail time someone receives (a heads up: Queens Councilman Rory Lancman will appear on the ballot, but he withdrew his candidacy June 21).

Your Guide to the Queens DA Race

Here's a look at how the candidates say they would prosecute certain crimes, and where they stand on divisive criminal justice issues.

Ending Cash Bail

Melinda Katz — Supports not asking for cash bail for any offense. She says the DA could remand a repeat offender or those charged of more serious crimes.

Tiffany Cabán — Supports the end of cash bail for any offense, arguing it is representative of income inequality in the city. Cabán says the Queens DA's office can check in with defendants to ensure they return to court.

Greg Lasak — Supports not requiring cash bail for minor offenses, but Lasak says he wants the state to change the upcoming bail law to allow judges to consider the seriousness of the charge.

Mina Malik — Supports not requiring cash bail and instead calls for monitoring defendants and having them check in with the DA's office.

Betty Lugo — Supports ending bail for low-level offenses, but she is open to requiring it for violent offenses or if a defendant is considered a flight-risk.

Jose Nieves — Supports not requiring cash bail for any offense, arguing it is a factor in stop-and-frisk in New York City disproportionately impacting people of color. Nieves says defendants could be monitored or fitted with ankle monitors.

Conviction Integrity Unit

Melinda Katz — Wants to establish a Conviction Integrity Unit for Queens that is independent from anyone involved in the original cases. Katz says she will consult defense attorneys and community leaders to determine what cases should be reviewed.

Tiffany Cabán — Wants a robust Conviction Integrity Unit for Queens. She also supports clearing convictions and releasing people for crimes that are no longer being prosecuted.

Greg Lasak — Argues he has the best experience to maintain a Conviction Integrity Unit. Lasak said he overturned more than a dozen wrongful convictions while serving on the state Supreme Court. Lasak wants the Queens unit to rely on the counsel of witnesses, investigators, and retired police detectives.

Mina Malik — Says she will use her experience helping establish a Conviction Integrity Unit at the Brooklyn district attorney's office to start one at the Queens office. Malik says she wants a unit independent from anyone involved in the original cases.

Betty Lugo — Says she would set up a Conviction Integrity Unit for the Queens DA's office. Lugo wants the unit to work with faith-based and community leaders to review convictions.

Jose Nieves — Promises to establish a Conviction Integrity Unit for the Queens DA's office, and wants the unit to have an advisory board that includes community leaders, retired judges, and those formerly incarcerated or exonerated of crimes.

Marijuana

Melinda Katz — Says she would not prosecute low-level marijuana offenses.

Tiffany Cabán — Says she wouldn't prosecute any recreational drug use if it doesn't pose a threat to other people.

Greg Lasak — Says he wouldn't prosecute low-level marijuana offenses.

Mina Malik — Promises she wouldn't prosecute low-level drug possession cases.

Betty Lugo — Says her Queens DA office wouldn't prosecute low-level marijuana offenses, and she would push police officers to not stop people only if they smell of marijuana.

Jose Nieves — Vows he wouldn't prosecute low-level marijuana possession cases.

Closing Rikers

Melinda Katz — Supports closing Rikers Island quickly but does not support opening a new jail in Kew Gardens, arguing the city's plan has not solicited enough input from the neighborhoods.

Tiffany Cabán — Supports closing Rikers Island quickly but does not support new jails. She argues new jails always become overcrowded. She opts, instead, for decarceration.

Greg Lasak — Wants Rikers to be closed or refurbished, and supports opening new jails at the location.

Mina Malik — Supports closing Rikers Island but doesn't support opening a new jail in Kew Gardens.

Betty Lugo — Calls for Rikers to be refurbished instead of it being replaced with borough-based jails. Lugo says Queens residents shouldn't have to deal with prisoners near their homes.

Jose Nieves — Supports closing Rikers Island but doesn't support opening a new jail in Kew Gardens.

Sex Work

Melinda Katz — Supports not prosecuting sex workers and instead targeting traffickers, pimps, and those who solicit them.

Tiffany Cabán — Supports the full decimalization of sex work, saying sex workers are victims and need the employment because they face economic inequities. Cabán says she would instead focus on targeting sex traffickers.

Greg Lasak — Says he wouldn't prosecute sex workers and would instead target traffickers, pimps, and those who solicit them.

Mina Malik — Promises her Queens DA office would not prosecute sex workers and would instead target traffickers, pimps, and those who solicit them.

Betty Lugo — Supports not prosecuting sex workers and instead targeting traffickers, pimps, and those who solicit them.

Jose Nieves — Vows his Queens DA office would not prosecute sex workers and would instead target traffickers, pimps, and those who solicit them.

WHEN'S THE ELECTION?

The primary will be held June 25, with the winner advancing to the general election in November. The winner of the primary is expected to win the general election.

The next Queens district attorney will enter an office that had been occupied for nearly three decades by Richard Brown, who passed away earlier this year.

------

Looking for an easy way to learn about the issues affecting New York City?