ISSUES

PUBLIC

SAFETY

I have worked tirelessly to keep the public safe through a thoughtful and diligent approach to criminal justice. Building and strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, establishing a strong coalition with law enforcement partners and pursuing ongoing collaboration with criminal justice system stakeholders to prioritize public safety is a critically important part of my job.

I attend a monthly meeting with law enforcement leaders, furthering the important collaboration between our teams, our common goals and our shared commitment to public safety. Keeping our community a safe place to live, work, recreate and raise families is of paramount importance to me.

VICTIMS’

RIGHTS

Victim advocacy is one of my top priorities. Over the years, I have handled a wide variety of criminal cases in Ada County Courtrooms. As I have shared before, I've ushered the families of homicide victims, child victims of molestation, domestic violence victims and adult victims of sexual assault through the emotionally harrowing experience of trial and have witnessed firsthand the aftermath a violent homicide leaves in the lives of the survivors. Those experiences drove me to develop additional victim services and deepened my resolve to ensure cases are successfully prosecuted.

The important work done by the Victim Witness Unit in my office ensures that crime victims are supported, informed, and heard throughout the entire prosecution. Our Victim Witness Coordinators stand with victims to help them navigate the criminal justice system and connect them to needed resources, such as counseling or shelter through organizations like Ada County Victim Services Center and the Women's and Children's Alliance.

I was instrumental in the creation of the Ada County Victim Services Center, which provides wraparound services to crime victims - medical, law enforcement, prosecutors, social services, legal support through the WCA's legal aid partnership, among other resources, to fully support our most vulnerable crime victims in the aftermath of crime.

I view victims' constitutional and statutory rights as merely the foundation for what should be provided and work to further strengthen those rights through our advocacy efforts. It is imperative that we have a robust Victim Witness Unit to assist victims and that we work closely with those who provide services to victims such as Ada County Victim Services Center, the Women's and Children's Alliance and other organizations to begin the healing process for crime victims.

COMMITMENT

TO EXCELLENCE

I am extremely fortunate to have an exceptional and dedicated staff working hard to keep our community safe and helping me fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Ada County Prosecutor's Office. An important part of my job is recruiting and retaining talented staff. We have over 180 employees, and one of my most rewarding and critical jobs is ensuring they have the tools, resources, and training they need to serve the public effectively. I work hard to cultivate and encourage a culture of public service, integrity, professionalism, and accountability across our office, meeting regularly with our employees and fostering our values of service, integrity, and excellence. From our Civil Division, which assists elected officials like our county sheriff, commissioners, and department heads, handling all civil legal needs for Ada County, to the Criminal Division, which prosecutes criminal offenders, my office demonstrates excellence.  I am honored and proud to serve alongside the women and men who care deeply about seeking justice and keeping our community safe.