Improve Processing of Cases
Case management needs to be improved. The first priority is to decrease the time taken to reviewing cases. The DA also needs to control more aggressively the process from the start. Last minute deals on the day of trial or hearing should not happen. This results in wasted costs and increases the inconvenience of witnesses and jury members. If settlements cannot be reached then we just need to do the trial. When defense counsel know you mean business cases will get settled sooner. If we get the cases that need to be settled out of the system early we can focus on the cases that need to go to trial.
Set Standards of Ethics and Professionalism
I can tap into my 15 years of prosecution experience and over 26 years of experience doing jury trials, not just "handling" cases, to establish standards for the attorneys in the office. More importantly, I have the experience to train and mentor the attorneys to help improve the handling of cases. Prosecuting Attorneys have a great deal of power. With that power comes even more responsibility to act ethically and always to strive to do justice. You cannot learn ethics from a book. I have the advantage of instilling a strong sense of prosecutorial ethics that has been formed in the trenches of the day-to-day battles from which I have learned from over the past 26 years.
Explore Alternative Sentencing to Reduce Jail Congestion
I learned long ago criminals hate to work. Why give non-violent, low-level offenders a few days of rest and relaxation in jail at our expense? We need a modern version of the chain gang. It is called community service. We need a coordinated program, paid for the criminals. They can spend days off from their work painting the Senior Center, pulling weeds in our parks, picking up garbage or doing other work for charitable groups. We get a benefit and do not pay to feed and house the inmates. An added benefit is that making offenders work off their debt actually has more of a deterrent affect than jail, which means less crime.
Improve Relations with Sheriff's Office
The next DA needs to improve relations with the Sheriff's Office. It is easy to say this is a goal, but it is much more difficult to implement. Knowing how to work with the Sheriff deputies takes years of experience. I have spoken with key members of the Sheriff's office and have discussed how cases can be handled better. The DA needs to work with deputies on search warrants and during investigations to resolve questions earlier in the process. We need a combined team approach to investigating and prosecuting cases. These are not separate processes. There also needs to be constant feedback on issues that are preventing successful prosecution. Communication that can be trusted starts with a DA with criminal prosecution experience.
Provide Prompt Legal Opinions
The DA should provide legal advice to ALL County and local boards, agencies and officials. A legal liaison will be assigned to provide legal counsel to all governmental entities within Nye County including the Tonopah Town Board, Beatty General Improvement District, Smoky Valley TV District, Amargosa Valley Town Advisory Board, Pahrump Regional Planning Commission and many others. Legal opinions will be given promptly. The length of time needed to give a legal opinion will be measured in minutes, hours or days not months or years.
The Right Way, The Only Way
Our County has become a national embarrassment. Recent events are only the tip of the iceberg. Improprieties in the DA's office have been covered up and ignored for years. This go along attitude needs to stop. All actions taken by the DA and the employees need to be above reproach. I will ensure all public funds are accounted for through and to the County Treasurer. I will not use a County car for commuting or personal trips. I will not use a County phone for personal calls or text messages. I will not charge personal expenses to a County credit card. More importantly, I will make sure any public employee that violates his or trust will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Public office does not create an entitlement. It creates a duty - a duty to serve.
Work for the People, Not against the People
Governments cannot solve problems. Committed Public Officials can when there is a desire to do so. We cannot continue to ignore zoning and subdivision problems. We need to pull our heads out of the sand and start solving problems. We cannot continue to be held hostage by poorly devised CC&R's and act like the County cannot do anything about it. The County owns property. The County has the legal resources to take this battle to the courts to address these complex issues. Innocent homeowners should not be forced to bear these costs any longer or to get drug into expensive litigation because the County does not want to acknowledge it has created the problems we see today by choosing to ignore practical solutions. We need to try a new course, one dedicated to solving problems.
Invest in Youth Programs
Focusing on youth crimes pays off. Curbing youth crimes can result in less criminal activity as adults. As DA I personally will be involved in juvenile cases. We need to build on what has been started to curb truancy problems. I also am a firm believer in forcing the parents to be part of the solution. There is no trick to having a successful juvenile justice program. Committing your time is all it takes. I currently co-chair the Trial by Peers Program for the Clark Co. Bar Association. I would start a similar program. Peers sit on the jury, mete out punishment, and serve as prosecutors and defense counsel under the supervision of volunteer attorneys. Teens tend to respond better to decisions made by their peers.
