BAR HARBOR – The district attorney for Kennebec and Somerset counties has been elected to lead the Maine Prosecutors’ Association for the next two years.

Evert N. Fowle was elected Thursday at the conclusion of the group’s annual meeting in Bar Harbor.

He pledged to address the state’s increasing violent crime rate at a time when resources are scarce, according to press release issued by the organization.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Legislature to assure the best possible impact on public safety,” Fowle, whose office is in the Kennebec County Courthouse, said Thursday.

Fowle replaced Geoffrey Rushlau, district attorney for Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties. Rushlau and Stephanie Anderson, the district attorney for Cumberland County, were elected vice presidents.

As a prosecutor, Fowle has helped implement the Co-occurring Disorders or Mental Health Court and the video arraignment program that cuts down on the number of times jailed defendants must be transported for court appearances.

jharrison@bangordailynews.net

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