Barbara Cray

Office Sought: District Attorney

District: 6

Towns Served: Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo Counties

About Barbara Cray

I am a highly experienced trial attorney with a particular interest in Constitutional
Law. After law school I was a law clerk for a United States District Judge. I
started by own successful law firm. I have been first chair for jury trials in the
state and federal courts. And I developed a specialty in financial crimes, writing
policies and giving workshops in fraud detection and prevention.

Eight years ago I moved myself and my law practice to Maine, and I love it here!
When the call went out for attorneys to be appointed counsel for indigent criminal
defendants, I responded, and have done criminal public defense work for the past
three years in mostly Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties, and to a lesser extent in
Knox and Waldo counties.

I am a trained and experienced mediator, and regularly mediate small claims and
eviction cases in the Maine district courts.

I also engage in community service and volunteer work in Maine. I am a member of
the RS12 School Board. From 2018 to 2022 I served as a volunteer facilitator for
the Restorative Justice Project of Maine. And I provide advocacy for the League of
Women Voters, the Maine Women’s Lobby, Grandmothers for Reproductive
Rights and the Maine Council on Aging,
I also am very active with the Maine Democratic Party. In addition to town and
county leadership roles, this year I am the chair of the state party’s platform
committee.

And creatively, I am a filmmaker and singer.

Platform Issues:

• Improve delivery of justice to victims of domestic and sexual abuse. There
  are too many instances in this district where abusers have gone free and
  victims not protected. Those who commit such abuse must face the
  consequences, and not be empowered in their abuse by deferred disposition
  or dismissal. Victims must be heard, supported and helped to not return to
  an abusive relationship. The cycle of abuse must be stopped.
• Bring the concepts of community justice to the midcoast. Partnerships
  between law enforcement, local organizations and residents can work
  together to address the social, economic and environmental factors that lead
  to harm, and shift to the greatest extent possible from punishment to
  restoration and prevention through community led solutions, which leads to
  safer and healthier neighborhoods.
• Consider the use of civil violations where a civil fine will best accomplish
  the purpose of the general sentencing provisions to that particular case to
  reduce the need for criminal proceedings and appointment of counsel in
  appropriate cases.
• Work to incorporate mental health counseling and addiction treatment into
  solutions supported by the community to accelerate to the greatest extent
  possible treatment for “disorders” that are at the root of criminal some
  behaviors.

Priorities in Office

• Prosecute criminal behavior in midcoast Maine with professionalism,
  reasoned decisions and judgment; try cases myself
• Develop strong communication with law enforcement and develop a
  collaborative relationships where, even if there is disagreement, each side is
  heard and understood
• Hold community meetings to discuss community concerns and ideas, and
  discuss fraud detection
• Meet with students to demystify the criminal process and discuss harm
  prevention behaviors
• Establish an advisory commission for receiving regular input from law
  enforcement, defense lawyers, courts, service organizations and community
  members