State senators weight the testimony of detractors and supporters

State senators weighed the testimony of detractors and supporters before supporting the confirmation of a former Orleans County State’s Attorney as a Vermont judge on Friday.

Jennifer Barrett, who served as the state’s attorney in Orleans County from 2015 until last August when Gov. Phil Scott appointed her to be a superior court judge, addressed concerns people had expressed about an aggressive prosecution style.

She defended against complaints that she too often sought high bail against defendants by saying she followed the law as a prosecutor, and it was the judge who makes the final decisions on bail.