On the heels of Kevin Kane's announcement last week that he will step down Nov. 1, the Connecticut Criminal Justice Commission is beginning its first search for a new chief state's attorney in 13 years.

The commission was set to meet Wednesday, Sept. 4,  to set up the process, commission chairman and Connecticut Supreme Court Associate Justice Andrew McDonald said, adding that the search would be designed to ensure public confidence.

"It will be a very transparent process and we will take time to get the right person," McDonald said. "I imagine we will receive applications from individuals who are already state prosecutors, and it would not surprise me if we received applications from others in state and federal government roles. I encourage anyone who has a commitment to criminal justice administration and has superior leadership qualities to apply."

McDonald said the seven-member commission will "be discussing the broad framework within which the search will be undertaken" when it meets.

Interviews with final candidates are expected to be televised by Connecticut Network, aka CT-N, the state's government-access television network. McDonald also said "we will absolutely be reaching out to minority bar associations" in an effort to attract interested candidates from all demographics.

McDonald said the position of chief state's attorney is unique in the state, and that responsibilities associated with the position require openness "to ensure public confidence in the trust that the person would be holding."

The ACLU of Connecticut issued a statement last week, soon after Kane announced he was stepping down, encouraging the commission to undergo a national search for a replacement.

McDonald noted the person replacing Kane must be licensed for at least three years in Connecticut, but said he'd wait until the full commission meets later this week before commenting on any possible nationwide search.

The ACLU also stressed that there should be "robust public comment and transparency during the interview and selection process," and a commitment "to appointing someone who is truly committed, in action and in words, to decreasing incarceration and eliminating racial disparities in Connecticut's judicial system."

The ACLU statement credited its Smart Justice campaign with pushing Kane "into softening some of his positions on justice reform, and we hope and expect the next chief state's attorney will play a much more active role in the fight to end mass incarceration and racism in the justice system." The statement goes on to say, "Nationwide, locales across the country are welcoming prosecutors who are committed to smart, progressive justice policies, and Connecticut can and should be next."

McDonald did not respond specifically to the ACLU statement, but noted that filling the position quickly is not as important as finding the right candidate. "I am more concerned with finding the right person than accelerating the process to artificially meet a deadline," he said.

The chief state's attorney is a five-year appointment with a current annual salary of $177,822.