Mass Daily News submitted eight detailed questions to Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Linda Champion in June 2026, covering her positions on the September 1 Democratic primary, the Rollins-era non-prosecution list, retail theft, Mass and Cass, bail and mandatory minimums, ICE detainers, the manslaughter charge against Boston Police Officer Nicholas O'Malley, and her day-one priorities for the office. Champion responded in writing.

MDN's companion narrative profile of Champion is here. Her full responses, reproduced below verbatim, are published in the interest of complete transparency.

1. Inside Hayden's office — why it needs new direction

The District Attorney's Office should be transparent, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves. Residents deserve timely information, clear communication, and confidence that their concerns are being heard and addressed. The dedicated professionals who work in the District Attorney's Office deserve clear leadership, consistent standards, and the support and backing they need to serve the people of Suffolk County with fairness, integrity, and confidence.

That's why I'm running. I want to lead a mission-driven office where expectations are clear, decisions are grounded in facts, and victims, families, and neighborhoods know exactly what they can expect from their District Attorney. My focus won't be on headlines — it will be on showing up, listening, and delivering results. For more than 35 years, I have worked alongside residents, community leaders, and families throughout Suffolk County, and as District Attorney I will continue to be present, accessible, and engaged in the communities I serve.

2. "The stats say one thing, my neighborhood says another"

The current and past administrations have implemented policies that are not working. Those policies have made us less safe, damaged morale both inside and outside the office, strained the DA's relationship with law enforcement and the public, and eroded trust. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office needs a new direction.

For me, crime statistics are just one snapshot of what is happening in a community. We all know that not everything taking place is reported or captured in the data. Many people do not want to become involved in filing a criminal complaint, while others may feel sympathy for an individual because of that person's socioeconomic circumstances.

I hate hearing the phrase "Safest Small City." Try saying that to Giovanni Anthony Bala's mother. Giovanni was a 22-year-old newly certified union carpenter who was described by his family as loving, hardworking, loyal, and deeply connected to his family and community. She raised an amazing young man, yet he was taken from his family this year because of senseless gun violence.

We cannot use statistics as a shield from difficult realities. When leadership relies on numbers to dismiss the lived experiences of residents, it loses credibility and trust.

3. Rollins' non-prosecution list — what stays, what changes

Nothing stays!

I do not support blanket non-prosecution lists, and under my administration they will end. Blanket policies amount to laziness in decision-making and fail to recognize that every case, every victim, and every set of circumstances is different. What will replace those policies is thoughtful, case-by-case decision-making. We will not reflexively prosecute every low-level offense the same way we did thirty years ago. At the same time, there will be no blanket "won't prosecute" list that ignores context, victims, or patterns of behavior. Every case deserves individual review.

ADAs must be allowed to exercise judgment and discretion, not simply follow rigid policies. They must engage with the defense bar, evaluate cases on their individual merits, and work toward fair and timely resolutions.

Under my leadership, every crime committed against the Commonwealth will be subject to review on a case-by-case basis.

If it is the intent of the residents to remove discretion from the DA's office, there is a process by which that can be handled. If the proposed change is rooted in public safety, I will support the residents in any ballot initiative or legislative changes the community seeks to advance.

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The needs of victims, public safety, and the impact on the community will be at the center of every decision we make. For first-time, low-level, and need-driven offenses, those cases can be diverted into specialized services, restitution arrangements, or specialty courts whenever appropriate. ADAs must remain focused on serious violent offenses and serious financial crimes that impact our small business owners, seniors, and vulnerable residents.

4. First 90 days on retail theft, smash-and-grab, and Mass and Cass

In the first 90 days, working in partnership with law enforcement, we will send a clear message that stealing will not be tolerated. It is deeply concerning that a message was sent to residents suggesting shoplifting is okay. Shoplifting is not okay. Policies that signaled shoplifting would not be prosecuted invited organized crime, strained our resources, sent a mixed message to children, and undermined public confidence. The impact of those policies has contributed to the loss of pharmacies in communities of color, where many seniors rely on convenient neighborhood access to medication.

Public safety is my top priority. This means making sure that seniors in our communities do not lose another pharmacy because of failed policies. Suffolk County has seen a troubling increase in retail theft, and law-abiding residents, particularly seniors, have borne the consequences. When neighborhood businesses and pharmacies close their doors, the people who depend on them are often the ones hurt the most. If you live in a community with retail choices, you may think it is not a big deal to lose a neighborhood store or pharmacy, but when you cannot access life-saving medication and do not have the ability to order it by mail, the consequences are very real. I will restore accountability, justice, safety, and security, and work to restore the people's trust in the District Attorney's Office to get the job done. We have one job: to protect the Commonwealth and its residents.

As for Mass and Cass, we will work with law enforcement to distinguish sharply between people whose primary issue is addiction and those who are exploiting them. Dealers, traffickers, and those using violence or coercion will be aggressively prosecuted. We will pair enforcement with pathways out. Individuals whose conduct is driven by substance use disorder will be steered into treatment-focused options, including Drug Court and Homeless Court, with clear expectations and accountability. The message will be simple: this corner of the city will not be surrendered and will not be overtaken. We understand addiction and recovery are extremely complicated issues, the current Mass & Cass residents living in the alleyways and on the sidewalks will know that the DA cares about their recovery. My administration will work hard to keep pathways open when an individual is ready to begin the difficult road to sobriety and recovery. However, my ADAs will be instructed to not ignore individual or collective activity that threatens the quality of life of others and creates unnecessary stress on area businesses, first responders, including EMTs, nurses and doctors working in that area. We must prioritize the public and quality of life for all residents.

5. Cash bail, mandatory minimums, and repeat violent offenders

Public safety is the priority while ensuring the system acts fairly and without bias. Cash bail is a legal right that defendants have to obtain pretrial release. For individuals who are a credible threat to public safety, pretrial detention is often more effective at protecting the community. These decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.

If the alleged harm to the public was not a violent offense, there is often little need for a monetary condition of release unless the individual has a history of failing to appear in court.

In the narrow context of murder or attempted murder, because I have seen firsthand what happens when dangerous people cycle in and out of the system with no meaningful intervention, I will seek pretrial detention. Public safety must come first.

My campaign chair, Ana Timas Fidalgo's husband, Jorge Fidalgo, was murdered. Jorge, a Cape Verdean American businessman and community leader, was shot and killed on April 23, 2001, his 46th birthday, at his Roxbury grocery store, Davey's Supermarket, formerly known as F & T Davey Supermarket, on the corner of Dudley and Clarence Streets. Jorge believed it was important to help other immigrants navigate life in this country and connect them with employment opportunities. He gave back to his community and supported his family. He connected Danilo Lopes with a job. Lopes and an accomplice later shot him in the head to steal the day's receipts from the store. I have seen the impact murder has on a family and on a community.

For repeat violent offenders and gun cases, my approach is:

Risk-Based Bail: Bail decisions must be tied to dangerousness. For serious violent and gun offenses, ADAs must use their discretion, training, and experience to make decisions through the lens of public safety. Nothing should drive those decisions other than protecting the people of the Commonwealth whom we serve. I will look to leaders like David Fredette, my former supervisor and trainer at the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, and Virginia Leigh, LICSW, former Essex County candidate for Sheriff, to work collectively in developing standards-based decision-making systems that reduce implicit bias and inconsistencies in decision-making.
Mandatory Minimums in Gun and Serious Violence Cases: Mandatory minimums still have a role in clearly defined gun and violent offenses involving repeat violent offenders. They provide a floor that reflects the seriousness of bringing illegal guns into our neighborhoods. If you repeatedly choose violence or illegal firearms, the system will respond with certainty and strength.
Alternatives Where Appropriate: For nonviolent, low-level cases, we should be using specialty courts, diversion programs, and treatment instead of defaulting to incarceration.

6. ICE detainers and non-citizen offenders — where I draw the line

My administration will not break any federal or state laws and will follow any ordinance approved by local government officials. The Suffolk County District Attorney's office cannot fix what is broken in our immigration law — that is for state legislators and federal elected officials to fix.

As the daughter of a hardworking South Korean immigrant, my mother came to this country in 1973. She did not speak English and lived in the racially divided Deep South while trying to raise three little Black girls. I intimately understand immigrant life, the hardships, the barriers, and the fear.

For non-citizen offenders, cases will be handled in collaboration with the defense bar and the communities we serve. I will establish an Immigration Integrity Unit. The defense bar may then conference matters with that team to ensure that people are held accountable but not subjected to unjust collateral consequences that amount to being severely punished for a minor offense.

That is where I draw the line. Sanctuary cities do not mean we are a haven for lawlessness. We will not aid anyone who breaks the law, but we will also ensure that accountability is proportional and that cases are reviewed thoughtfully and fairly.

When it comes to violent non-citizen offenders, my message is simple: the duty of the office is to protect victims and the public. We can uphold due process, avoid racial profiling, and prosecute serious violent offenses to the full extent of the law. Our limited resources will be spent seeking justice for victims and prosecuting violent offenders who pose a threat to the community and public safety.

7. The O'Malley manslaughter charge — process and what I'd do differently

Charging a police officer with manslaughter is one of the most serious decisions a District Attorney can make. It must be above politics and beyond shortcuts, not only in fact but also in appearance. In Officer O'Malley's case, the decision to charge within eight days, without first presenting the case to a grand jury, raised legitimate questions about process and timing. As District Attorney, my default approach in any officer-involved shooting resulting in death would be a thorough inquest and grand jury review. Here, I have not seen the body camera footage. Based on what has been released publicly, I see no extraordinary reason to proceed differently. Process is what protects the integrity of a case. It gives the public confidence that evidence, not headlines or a self-serving political agenda, drove the decision, and it respects both the victim's family and the officer's rights. The public should never have to wonder whether a charging decision was rushed to meet a news cycle.

8. Survivors at the center — what changes on day one

My father was a military police officer who served during the Vietnam War. My sisters are married to soldiers. I believe in law and order. Residents want a District Attorney who will restore accountability, uphold the law, and prioritize public safety. I am a single mother who is working to create a safe community for all. As a candidate I am pledging accessibility, collaboration, and partnership. This means working with victims and survivors of crime and will make them the center of our work. Their needs will be at the center of how the office operates, not just how we talk about our priorities.

On day one, I will:

Convene an "All Hands on Deck" Meeting: Law enforcement, EMTs and first responders, community leaders, clergy, and residents will be invited into an all-staff meeting. ADAs must hear directly from the people they serve, including individuals like Leslie Credle, founder of Justice for Housing, and EMTs who are often impacted by unreported violence against them. ADAs and VWAs will listen to concerns, learn about community issues, and connect with the people they serve outside of the courtroom. This collaboration will help identify key policies and procedures, as well as opportunities for improvement. The information gathered will help prosecutors, VWAs, and support staff prioritize caseloads and address urgent issues.
Increase Staffing of Victim Witness Advocates: We will strengthen the VWA team. We will conduct a top-to-bottom review of staffing levels and caseloads for victim witness advocates, with the goal of reducing the number of survivors each advocate is responsible for and increasing training in trauma-informed practices, sexual assault, and domestic violence. We will implement clear standards for victim notification, including when charges are filed, when plea offers are made, when a case is continued, and when an individual is released. Survivors should never learn about major developments from the news or by accident.
Submit to a Full Audit: I will conduct a full audit and release the results publicly. The purpose of the audit will be to determine how long it takes to process cases from arraignment to resolution and to examine how often cases are delayed because of discovery issues. The audit will also help identify opportunities to invest in modern technology or to modify, expand, or create new specialty courts or diversion programs to move cases toward resolution more efficiently and effectively.

This Q&A is published in full and unedited except for minor formatting (em-dashes, bullet markers, and section headers). For context, analysis, and MDN's editorial framing of Champion's positions, see the companion profile.

In her own words: Linda Champion's full Q&A with Mass Daily News on the Suffolk DA race