By Claudia Rufo—For the North Star Reporter
Attorney Christopher Markey is hoping to return to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, this time as the county’s top prosecutor.
Markey is campaigning on his 16 years in the district attorney’s office, including 12 as an assistant district attorney and four as a victim-witness advocate.
“I fell in love with the job,” Markey said. “I love trying to help people. I think it’s the most noble profession as an attorney you can have…to help your community.”
Markey stated that his decades in the courtroom have shaped both his legal skills and his judgment.
“When you have a lot of experience, it gives you perspective,” he said.
Comparing the work to professional athletes, he added, “It’s like baseball players. You make it to the major leagues, but you still practice every day. It requires repetition. It makes you better, more confident in your decisions.”
Markey also said that handling more serious cases has made him a stronger leader.
“I’ve felt the pressure of having to deal with a murder case. I’ve felt the pressure of dealing with a rape case. I’ve had the pressure of dealing with really bad criminals with guns,” he said. “All of that makes a difference in providing confidence to your staff and credibility with judges and the public.”
Some of the most formative moments occurred early in his career, when, just months after graduating from Stonehill College, Markey worked as a victim-witness advocate and was assigned to a murder case.
“I remember just thinking, ‘I don’t know what to say,’” he recalled. “Those experiences had a huge impact on me in how I want to do this job.”
If elected, Markey plans to modernize the office and make the justice system more responsive to victims’ needs.bOne proposal is to create digital forensic labs in district courts, enabling victims to quickly download evidence, such as text messages or photographs, from their cell phones without needing separate appointments at police stations.
“People have already missed work. They’re already dealing with terrible circumstances,” Markey said. “If we can make it more convenient while they’re in court that day, it builds trust and makes their cases stronger.”
He also intends to hire a full-time forensic psychologist to assist with staff training and help divert young offenders with serious mental illness from further involvement in the justice system. Additionally, the psychologist would provide referrals for traumatized victims and witnesses.
“Address the issues early on rather than having to wait months,” he said. “Using technology in a better way to make things more efficient, that’s helpful for our staff and gives them more time face-to-face with witnesses and victims.”
Markey describes himself as “tough on crime,” citing past cases he was involved in or witnessed.
“The most egregious cases need to be resolved as rapidly as possible, for everyone’s sake, for safety’s sake, and for the victim’s sake,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized discernment.
“Not every single person who comes into court is a horrible human being,” Markey said. “To make the distinction between the truly evil people and the people who made a mistake… that comes from experience and having a moral compass developed over decades.”
Markey grew up in Bristol County and lived in North Attleborough for several years before moving to Dartmouth. He said his connection to the region is central to his candidacy.
“I’ve lived my entire life here,” he said. “I love the community where I grew up. It’s given my family and me incredible opportunities.”
He added, “As a lawyer, there is no greater privilege to do public service work than to be a district attorney.”