The opponents in the upcoming state’s attorney election are preparing for their Oct. 6 debate, with the areas of qualifications and effectiveness as the candidates’ focal points.

The debate for the candidates will take place in room 186 of Swen Parson Hall at 7:30 p.m..

Democrat Jerry Shapiro has criticized current State’s Attorney Phil Dimarzio and his office for a lack of felony convictions. Shapiro also said there is an exceedingly large amount of employee turnover in the office.

Shapiro said, “Fifty-eight percent of all felony charges between December 1986 and December 1987 were disposed of by reduction, outright dismissal or a not-guilty decision. Right now, we do not have an adequate felony conviction system.”

He said DiMarzio might be using an initial felony charge as leverage for a less severe conviction, such as a misdemeanor. And, Shapiro said, if a charge is serious enough to warrant a felony charge, a felony conviction should be pursued. “This is plea bargaining at its worst,” Shapiro added.

In response to Shapiro’s claims, Republican opponent and First Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Coghlan said the issue of felony convictions is not one of paper and statistics. “Our policy has tried to be one of fair treatment,” Coghlan said. “By his (Shapiro) implying that we have less than a 50 percent conviction rate, he is trying to mislead the public. We are proud of the fact that we have an 80 to 90 percent conviction rate.”

Coghlan stressed that the conviction rate includes all convictions, ranging from murder to a traffic violation. His office, he said, tries to pursue a fair trial and not one influenced by statistics. Coghlan said a felony conviction could label a person for life, and an interest in criminals and punishment rather than paper is what is important.

Shapiro said he is just as interested in a fair trial as his opponent. However, Shapiro said a more accurate review of a case from the beginning will allow for a more speedy and inexpensive trial. “With cases going before a judge as a felony and then being reduced to a lesser offense, some cases may be falling through the cracks, and that is what I am concerned about,” Shapiro said.

Coghlan has raised the question of whether Shapiro is qualified for state’s attorney. Coghlan said Shapiro has never prosecuted a criminal case.

The job of state’s attorney consists of 90 percent criminal prosecution, and Shapiro lacks the necessary knowledge of the process, Coghlan said.

Shapiro could not be reached for comment concerning Coghlan’s charges.

However, Shapiro did state that another chief concern of his is the high rate of turnover in the state’s attorney office.

“Over the last two-plus years, seven assistant state’s attorneys have left the office,” Shapiro said. The added expenses of training new employees and operating an office at less than full staff only hurt the victim, Shapiro said.

DiMarzio said the turnover rate is not a problem in his office and, if anything, is indicative of a successful office where highly marketable employees have been able to broaden their career opportunities.