OAKLAND, California. – With Pamela Price, Alameda County District Attorney about to leave after being ousted in a recall electioncounty supervisors must select an interim replacement before a successor is chosen by voters in the 2026 election.

The oversight board must agree on a process for choosing an interim prosecutor.

“I want to make sure this is the most qualified person with a personality that can work with their colleagues, especially during this very sensitive time,” Supervisor Keith Carson said.

Carson, who opposed the recall, is retiring in January after 32 years on the board. He said supervisors must carefully evaluate candidates in an effort to stabilize the DA’s office.

Carson said the goal is to “get the ecosystem of the criminal justice system at least back into shape, as far as at least the DA’s office is concerned, up and running.”

Butch Ford is a candidate to replace Price.

“The first thing that anyone who comes in, whether it’s me or anyone else, has to do is unify the office, unify the office in spirit and spirit and goals,” Ford said.

Ford was a 23-year veteran of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and a critic of Price. He joined San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ office after Price took office. Price later accused him of interfering in a criminal matter, a charge that was dismissed.

Ford told KTVU that if he becomes district attorney, he has no plans to fire the attorneys hired by Price.

“The basis of what it takes to be a competent prosecutor is not difficult to determine,” Ford said. “As long as someone qualifies and meets these criteria, they will be welcome to stay. But everyone will be expected to contribute to the well-being of the office and, more importantly, the well-being of this community.”

KTVU legal analyst Michael Cardoza, who previously worked in the Alameda County district attorney’s office and is now a criminal defense attorney, said the board received “a referendum or a mandate from the voters: We don’t we don’t want the liberal approach.

Cardoza said the board should consider the will of the people.

“The board will have to choose very, very wisely. They have to choose someone who understands criminal law, has a background in criminal law but, just as importantly, has experience running an office.” , Cardoza said.

Price will remain district attorney until the recall results are certified. Meanwhile, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Royl Roberts, sworn in as an attorney in 2022, will lead the office until an acting prosecutor is selected.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. Email Henry at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan.