Incumbent Matt Hamel is seeking a second term as Chesapeake’s top prosecutor. Hamel, who previously served as a Chesapeake City Council member, is being challenged by Republican David Mick, a former Chesapeake assistant and deputy commonwealth’s attorney who now works as an assistant attorney general for Virginia. Hamel previously held the office as a Republican, but has changed parties to run as a Democrat.
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Matt Hamel
Age: 51
Employment: Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney
Education: J.D., Rutgers University School of Law ; B.A. College of the Holy Cross
Military Service: Navy
Previous elected office: Chesapeake City Council member
Party affiliation: Democrat
Website: www.matt-hamel.com
What do you believe is the most important issue facing the office now?
Keeping Chesapeake the safest city while recruiting and retaining the highest caliber prosecutors who lead with integrity is key. Budget constraints at the state level and an unpopular environment for law enforcement create challenges for prosecution offices across Virginia. I inherited an office in the midst of COVID with 7,000 backlogged felony cases due to court closures. Our team navigated through these challenges expertly and honorably for Chesapeake citizens. At the same time, and where our consciences say it’s the right thing to do, my office championed diversionary programs like drug court and the mental health dockets for non-violent offenders that provide treatment options, hope and second chances. Proudly, we have the second largest diversionary program in the commonwealth. Also gaining support across the country are veterans courts and I’d like to see one here.
Why do you think you’re the best candidate for the job?
These are the essentials when it comes to representing Chesapeake as its chief prosecutor and asking for justice in your name: First is a commitment to fairness. Justice must be colorblind. Whether you’re a victim or the one on trial, red and blue have no place in a courtroom. Second is experience. Whether leading in the military and running parole boards in Iraq, prosecuting cases in state and federal court, or managing nearly 30 prosecutors critical to seeing that justice is done in Chesapeake, either you have it or you don’t. In the end, it comes down to integrity, where what matters isn’t friendships or personal opinions but doing what fairness and the law demand. I may not be colorblind, but I know right from wrong. I have the proven experience and leadership skills to get the job done. And the only people I owe anything to are victims and their families.
If you could pick only one solution, how would you reduce violent crime in our community?
Programs and outreach. Breaking the cycle of violent crime requires treating the illness and not just the symptoms. Working with our state and local law enforcement partners and agencies to support community programs, we increased a multi-agency presence across the spectrum and in the highest crime areas. Creating relationships with the community builds trust which in turn leads to solving crime and having successful prosecutions. Educational programs and diversionary courts also help attack underlying issues such as drug abuse and mental health. Creating task forces also help. I created an Elder Abuse Task Force to proactively educate and combat crime against the most vulnerable. Our crime rates have gone down, Chesapeake is a nationally-recognized safe city, and your Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has been a key partner.
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David A. Mick
Age: 44
Employment: Assistant attorney general, Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Education: political science, Christopher Newport University; Juris Doctorate, Widener School of Law
Party affiliation: Republican
Website: davidmick.com
What do you believe is the most important issue facing the office now?
The biggest issue facing the office now is its leadership. The current commonwealth’s attorney had never previously worked in a Commonwealth’s Attorneys office or even prosecuted a criminal case, and it shows. During his time in office, we have seen several high-profile incidents of careless prosecutorial mistakes, and a shockingly low conviction rate in cases where juveniles bring weapons to school. To be sure, there are many great prosecutors but without out an experienced leader who knows the job the potential of the office is limited. Ultimately, this results in overlooked errors, high employee turnover, and making our city less safe. I am running because I have the right experience, having worked as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney focused on criminal litigation. I can apply both sides of the law to run and effective and efficient office that will keep our community safe.
Why do you think you’re the best candidate for the job?
I am the only candidate that has actually been a prosecutor and have more than 17 years practicing criminal law. Growing up in Portsmouth, I saw firsthand how addiction and violent crime can tear apart a community, that’s why I studied the law. I’ve been a prosecutor, a supervisor to a team of prosecutors in Chesapeake, a defense lawyer, and I’m currently an assistant attorney general focused on criminal litigation, cold cases, writs of actual innocence, and special investigations. I’ve personally handled over 1,000 criminal cases from misdemeanors to murders and gotten the convictions to prove it. My experience was recognized by Governor Glenn Youngkin when he appointed me to serve on the Board of Juvenile Justice. I’m running because my opponent has failed to run an effective office, failed to hold violent criminals accountable, and has made Chesapeake less safe with misstep after misstep.
If you could pick only one solution, how would you reduce violent crime in our community?
To start, I would effectively prosecute crime, unlike the incumbent. Criminals must be held accountable for their actions, and my office will do just that. As we watch and read the news we see stories of violence and more commonly gun violence in Chesapeake, and the commonwealth’s attorney has failed to hold these criminals accountable. By effectively prosecuting cases we will deter future criminals and crack down on repeat offenders. This will be done in coordination with law enforcement, citizens, and by working with staff to review criminal cases to ensure the best possible outcome. My office will also expand outreach programs to help victims, witnesses, and others affected by crime. Part of that is making the office more accessible to citizens. I will partner with our law enforcement community to have a robust crime prevention outreach program to make our city safer.