VOTE411 Voter Guide

I have practiced law for over 24 years in the criminal sector. While working for the County Counselor's Office as a Senior County Counselor, I was responsible for providing legal advice to every department head in Jackson County; including the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office; a task that I will continue once in the Office. In addition, our office handled the union negotiations in the Prosecutor's Office. This is a task that will also be continued. I have served as the "Head" Prosecutor for the City of Blue Springs, Mo where I established and implemented policies and procedures in the office. I created the first official diversion program while serving in the role as Prosecutor. The diversion program served to give non-violent offenders a second chance to acknowledge their wrongful conduct and to make different choices. I have served in the capacity of a criminal defense attorney and have practiced law in the counties of Platte, Clay, Cass, Pettis, Johnson, Clinton and Ray.

1. I will prosecute violent and property crimes to the fullest extent of the law. 2. I will train the lesser experienced attorneys on how to properly assess and try a case from start to finish. 3. I will connect with law enforcement officers in every jurisdiction in Jackson County to give assurances that individuals properly arrested and investigated will be prosecuted. 4. I will meet with the neighborhood associations, groups, leaders and businesses to give assurance that cases brought before this Office will be prosecuted and inform them that witness tampering will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 5. I will re-engage the prosecution of drug cases, even if there is a non- violence component attached to the possession of a controlled substance. 6. I will review the oversight of the County-funded COMBAT programs designed to prevent violence and determine if the programs have been a benfit to the communities of Jackson County in reducing violent crime.

Having spent a decade working in violence reduction, I am not afraid to prosecute. As a current resident of one of the most dangerous sectors of Jackson County who regularly goes to sleep to the sound of gunshots, I do not have an interest in or the luxury to be soft on violent crime. However, I know that exclusively relying on incarceration to restore public safety is irresponsible and ineffective. We must also invest COMBAT funds in affordable housing, expanded diversion programs for non-violent offenders, mentorship programs in our public schools to curb substance misuse and domestic violence among teens, and so much more. I am the only candidate that has consistently stressed the importance of balancing accountability with resource deployment. I also represent a historic and organic opportunity to bring communities of color closer to the criminal legal system which will have a positive impact on our entire County.

• Update evidentiary policies and procedures to ensure more cases are processed and victims have a chance to be represented in the courtroom; • Establish a dedicated prosecution division for property crimes; • Revive the prosecution of drug distribution offenses; • Bring more diversity to the Prosecutor’s office and promote an equitable and inclusive work environment; • Review, assess, and reform COMBAT funding and community partnerships to better address the root causes of crime, including property theft and gun violence.