What you don't know can hurt you... That's why the Office of the Bronx District Attorney and BRONXNET have teamed up to bring you Ask the Bronx D.A., a show that serves to educate Bronx residents about the criminal justice system. Community members now have an opportunity to learn about their rights as law-abiding citizens, as well as what actions they can take if a crime has been committed against them.

The D.A.'s Office finds that people often do not understand the criminal justice system and why some defendants are not criminally prosecuted, sentenced to time in prison, or are paroled. Lisa Payne, Director of the Bronx D.A. Community Affairs Unit, says this eight-part series is part of an outreach effort to educate the public on matters of concern, ranging from drug sales on the street to car theft to serving time as community service. Each show deals with a particular topic, and people from the community are invited to ask the D.A. an array of questions related to that topic. Host and attorney, Melanie Torres, is joined by the Bronx District Attorney, Robert T. Johnson, and Bureau Chiefs from the D.A.'s Office in a round table discussion about particular issues of concern to the public.

Ask the Bronx D.A. airs Sundays at 4:30AM and 5:30PM, Mondays at 5:30PM; Tuesdays at 5:00AM and 7:30PM; Wednesday at 6:30AM; Thursdays at 7:00AM and 7:00PM; Fridays at 5:30PM, and Saturdays at 5:30AM on BRONXNET channel 67.

TOPICS:

Here are the episodes that have already aired, along with the most frequently asked questions:

1. Economic Crime

  • What is your office doing to combat auto crime?
  • Why are so many car thieves repeat offenders? It seems like they don't do much time!
  • How can people safeguard their cars from being vandalized or stolen?
  • What kind of scams should I be aware of when surfing the net?
  • What should be my first step if I suspect that I may be a victim of credit card fraud?
  • Is there anything wrong with buying videos and cassette tapes on the street?
  • What are some of the scams elderly people should be aware of?
  • Who are the travelers?
  • What is elder abuse?

2. Quality of Life

  • Is spray painting graffiti a crime, and can you get a ticket?
  • What types of drug crimes are misdemeanors?
  • Is playing loud music a crime?
  • Are there stiffer penalties for repeat offenders like prostitutes or drug possession defendants?
  • Why do some offenders get community service instead of jail time?
  • What does the D.A.'s Office do about marijuana sales?

3. Domestic Violence

  • What is domestic violence?
  • Can a person be arrested for assaulting their spouse, even if there is no physical injury?
  • Can someone who has dropped charges against an abuser go back to the D.A.'s Office for help?
  • If you and the abuser are not married and s/he doesn't live with you, is that still considered domestic violence?
  • Does the D.A. treat victims of sexual assault or domestic violence differently than other victims?
  • What is the difference between discipline and child abuse?
  • How can parents tell if their child has been abused by someone?

4. Narcotics

  • Can you explain why people who are arrested for selling drugs seem to be on the street in no time?
  • Can you explain why marijuana sales seem to be treated so lightly?
  • Are drug dealers allowed to plea bargain?
  • Does your office do anything for drug offenders who have an obvious addiction?
  • What is a narcotics eviction?
  • Can the entire family be evicted if one person in the household sells drugs?

5. Community Outreach

  • Why is community outreach so important to the District Attorney's Office?
  • How can people find out more about your programs?
  • How can I get my child's school involved in your programs?
  • Do your programs run year-round, or only through the academic year?
  • Are all your programs geared towards school-aged children? Do you have any for adults?
  • Have you had any adult workshops? What topics have you addressed? What kinds of topics will you address in future workshops?
  • There's a program I've heard about- the S.T.A.R. Program. Tell me more about that program. Who is it geared toward?
  • Are other organizations and groups eager to work with your office in your efforts to reach out to the community?
  • What community groups do you work with?
  • I've read about Operation Weed & Seed in the newspaper. What exactly is it?
  • What does the name Weed & Seed mean? Why were the Mott Haven and Soundview communities selected for Operation Weed & Seed? What kinds of problems do these communities endure?
  • Who participates in Operation Weed & Seed? What efforts has Weed & Seed taken to address the problems in particular communities?
  • How successful have your programs been thus far?
  • How do new programs get developed?

6. Elder Abuse

  • What is the Elder Abuse Initiative?
  • What is the main goal of the Elder Abuse Initiative?
  • Why did the Bronx District attorney's Office decide to implement the Elder Abuse Initiative?
  • What role does the Hebrew Home for the Aged play in this initiative?
  • What kinds of services are provided at the Hebrew Home for the Aged?
  • What are the most common types of crimes committed against the elderly?
  • Why is it sometimes difficult to reach out to senior citizens?
  • What are some of the cases your office has prosecuted that involved an elderly victim?
  • What kinds of services does the District Attorney's Office provide for senior citizens?
  • What are some important things that seniors should be aware of when they are outside of their homes?
  • If a senior citizen thinks that they or someone they know is a victim of economic fraud, what should they do?
  • What are some of the steps the District Attorney's Office is taking to heighten the awareness of elder abuse in the Bronx community?

Click Here to Visit the Bronx District Attorney's Office Website

Ask the Bronx D.A. airs Sundays at 4:30AM and 5:30PM, Mondays at 5:30PM; Tuesdays at 5:00AM and 7:30PM; Wednesday at 6:30AM; Thursdays at 7:00AM and 7:00PM; Fridays at 5:30PM, and Saturdays at 5:30AM on BRONXNET channel 67.