When first elected to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney in 1997, Joan Ziglar promised to bring P.E.P. to the position. P.E.P. stands for Prosecution, Education, and Prevention of crime. She kept that promise by doing the following:

Prosecution

• Took on tough cases and prosecuted them vigorously.
• Increased the average sentence imposed for serious crimes.
• Reduced the number of plea agreements.
• Lobbied for sensible changes in the law to aid prosecutors in the courtroom.
• Empowered victims to use the law as a shield against crime.

Education

• Took criminal justice programs into schools and mentored students on all grade levels.
• Joined with the COPS unit of the Martinsville Police Department to present criminal justice programs.
• Helped train police officers on new laws enacted each year.
• Required all staff members to perform community service annually.
• Joined the Curriculum Committee of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys to develop statewide training programs for prosecutors.
• Created an internship program using state funds that has served more than 100 students.

Prevention

• Took pro-active steps to combat gang activity and provided training on hate crimes to police officers and the community.
• Educated the community on the consequences of criminal conduct.
• Encouraged citizens to avoid becoming and/or remaining victims of crime through community watch programs.
• Fought to keep serious and repeat offenders incarcerated and to deter gangs.

P.E.P. has resulted in the lowest crime rate in 30 years and in better relations with the community.