MAYVILLE, N.Y. — From a pandemic to overturning a low conviction rate, Chautauqua County's newly elected district attorney has a full case load of issues to work through.

"It's going very well. There's a lot that's been happening this week. There's quite a bit of change that's taken place," said Jason Schmidt, (R,C) Chautauqua County’s newly elected Republican district attorney.

What You Need To Know

  • Jason Schmidt was elected the new Chautauqua County district attorney last November

  • Schmidt plans to make a number of changes to the office

  • His goals include overturning a low conviction rate and navigating through the pandemic

Schmidt was sworn into office a week ago, after defeating democratic incumbent Patrick Swanson last November.

"Ultimately the buck stops here. Let’s be honest, the office has had a very poor conviction rate. They faced a lot of challenges in the courtroom and I think I was elected to make changes," said Schmidt.

Schmidt and his team of prosecutors are now conducting an internal file audit of every felony, violent felony and un-indicted case to ensure they're presented to a grand jury and are conviction ready.

"Felony file war room. And if we don't indict those cases within a certain period of time they can get dismissed. And so it's very important to us that none of that happens on our watch," said Schmidt.

Schmidt also vows to work closely with his investigators and use their police experience, as well as, guidance to review cases that need a push over the finish line. 

"I am bringing them intimately into each and every felony case that we are taking to trial, so that they can work with us to make sure that if there's are any holes in the investigation, that we fill them," said Schmidt.

Schmidt also met with city police leaders and will establish offices in Jamestown and Dunkirk, where prosecutors will be stationed to work with officers on cases before they're sent to the courtroom.  

"Steer those cases so that when they come to us formally we know the cases. We understand the investigation has absolute integrity and we're prepared to take those cases to trial if need be," said Schmidt.

Until then, because of the COVID-19, the office will be forced to handle arraignments and other case proceedings virtually.

Grand jury proceedings will still take place in-person inside county legislative chambers.

"Which provides for a much greater open space so that we can all be COVID compliant," said Schmidt.

Schmidt says because of the pandemic, he doesn't plan on being back in a courtroom for trial before late spring.