Prosecutor Accused Of Fleeing Fairfield PD Gets Dismissal Program

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield resident and assistant state's attorney accused of fleeing law enforcement will be allowed to participate in a program that could result in the dismissal of the charge that she interfered with police.

Justina Moore, 42, was granted nine months in an accelerated rehabilitation diversionary program during a court appearance Friday.

Moore was charged after officers were contacted by her ex-husband and went Dec. 9 to her Dawn Street home, where she refused to identify herself and eventually left the scene, leading to a police pursuit, law enforcement said in a report. By seeking accelerated rehabilitation, Moore did not enter a plea in the case. If completed successfully, the pretrial court supervision program will result in dismissal of the charge.

"She should have known better," said Judge Philip Scarpellino as he granted the program, stipulating Moore must do 50 hours of community service, pay restitution if it is sought for a tire that was damaged in the incident and cooperate with the Department of Children and Families.

Moore's ex-husband had contacted police about a propane tank being used to heat her house, where two children were staying, the report said. Fire officials took the tank for safety reasons but found no unhealthy propane levels at the home, according to the report.

Moore declined to answer questions from law enforcement or identify herself or her children, saying she was in the midst of a custody dispute and any documentation could jeopardize the custody hearing, the report said. She later told police she was as a prosecutor in the Fairfield Judicial District, but still wouldn't give her name, according to the report.

Moore then fled law enforcement with her children in an SUV, before police cut her off and ordered her out of the vehicle, the report said. She refused, so law enforcement removed her and brought her to the ground, according to the report.

"I know she regrets very much this whole situation," said Moore's attorney, Eugene Riccio.

Moore's ex-husband was at the courthouse Friday with his lawyer, Michael Powers. When Powers attempted to speak about the potential danger to which the children, ages 8 and 11, were exposed, he was denied by Scarpellino, who said Powers' concerns were a matter for the Department of Children and Families.

"We don't believe today that the judge acted in the best interest of the children," Powers said, arguing Moore was undercharged and should have faced two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Moore, who has worked as an assistant state's attorney with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice since 2008, was placed on leave for a week as a result of the charge. She then returned to work on limited duty, pending the progress of her case, which was transferred to the New Haven Judicial District to avoid the potential for a conflict of interest. Division of Justice spokesman Mark Dupuis said Friday afternoon Moore's work status was under review.