SUFFOLK, Va. — The race for Commonwealth's Attorney in Suffolk is pitting incumbent Narendra Pleas against independent challenger and defense attorney Patrick Bales. The contest is a rematch between the two for the same seat in 2021.

Narendra Pleas said she believes being the Commonwealth's Attorney is about more than just prosecuting criminals; it's also about preventing crime and keeping individuals out of the justice system in the long term.

A key initiative Pleas is proud of is the behavioral health docket.

"They are taking those crimes ... and getting those people the services they've never had before, getting them stabilized, and it's all for the long term," Pleas said.

She noted that many participants in the program "have never had stability — they've never had a continuation o

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