VOTE411 Voter Guide

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I have 32 years of experience as a prosecutor, having served as the elected LaPorte County Prosecutor from 2019 to 2022. The main role of Prosecutor is leading a team of deputy prosecutors as we ethically handle the investigation, charging, and trials of criminal conduct. I have a wealth of jury and bench trial experience, having tried over 60 jury trials and over 100 bench trials in my career, and have successfully prosecuted and tried cases in all five of LaPorte County’s Courts. As the elected Prosecutor, I relied heavily on my extensive trial and criminal law experience on a daily basis to mentor my staff and deputies and answer their questions about the proper and ethical way to handle investigations, legal issues, and trials. Being an experienced criminal trial attorney is necessary to assist and advise law enforcement and lead them in their investigations and collection of evidence while safeguarding the Constitutional rights of the accused. I will lead the office effectively.

My first priority will be to work on lowering homicides and violent crime in LaPorte County from its current record levels. This requires leadership and a commitment to the thorough investigation of violent criminal conduct and the filing of the highest appropriate charges against those responsible. It takes years of experience to learn the proper way to conduct a criminal investigation and then be able to successfully take those cases to trial and hold the criminals accountable.

Second priority will be to stop the record dismissals of criminal cases. Lack of experience has led to the current record breaking violent criminal conduct as well as dismissal of cases. When you lack the experience to be able to differentiate between violent and non-violent offenders, you cannot attack crime in a positive way. Simply dismissing cases is not effective.

My third priority is stewardship. I will not allow taxpayer money to be used for personal gain like the current prosecutor has done.

Assisting domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims, and child abuse victims have been the most rewarding experiences of my career. Seeing them finally feel a sense of relief to be able stand up to the person that harmed them cannot be overstated. Helping them try to overcome some of the trauma they have gone through is a rewarding experience although very hear wrenching at the same time. You do not come away from those encounters without being changed.

Although I have been a highly successful trial attorney both civilly and criminally, I find that the trauma that is suffered by a family's loss due to a murder is the hardest thing to navigate. There is very little joy at the end of a guilty verdict in murder cases due to the loss of life involved. When you can assist any victim in finding their voice and testify is the greatest reward regardless of the outcome of the case.

Entering my 35th year of being an attorney, there are not many areas of the law with which I am unfamiliar. Nonetheless, I always conduct research and read case law to better familiarize myself with trending topics or issues in criminal law. Attending seminars and keeping current with continuing legal education is something that I have always done and will continue to do so.

As the past elected prosecutor of LaPorte County, I ran the office and handled the budget, administration, and personnel. I was responsible for all aspects of the office and oversaw 43 employees and multiple budgets totaling several million dollars. I was able to keep my office efficient and running under budget all 4 years without having to seek any increases from the County Council. Due to my leadership, I was able to amass a surplus of $300,000 at the end of my term that I earmarked to give back to the County and to Dunebrook - the child advocacy center for LaPorte County. Unfortunately, the new prosecutor refused to honor the payments to Dunebrook of $150,000 to assist their child advocacy mission as well as the $150,000 to the County for the Michigan City Courthouse courtroom electronics. Instead, he used the money to purchase VIP tickets for himself to the Red, Wine & Brew fest the past 3 years as well as buy a $10,000 deer decoy for the DNR.

I am a proven criminal trial attorney. I possess an ability to lead from the front and my leadership style is that of a person that wont ask my deputies to do anything that I wouldn't do. My best quality is my attention to detail and ability to prepare for trial and anything that could arise during the trial. I treat everyone that I meet with the same level of respect and foster a great environment for collaboration. Criminal Law and trial are my passion and I love teaching and passing on that passion to those willing to join me.

1) Plea agreements in lieu of trial because its "easier". Under my administration we will not just take the easy route because its cheaper, or because we are scared of trial

2) Hostility in the work place.

3) Repeat violent offenders constantly getting the opportunity to repeat further

My greatest accomplishment in my legal career was each and every time I could get justice for a victim or their family. There is no better feeling than getting closure for those families that I poured my heart and soul into. Cases involving children have always taken a toll on me, but seeing them through and getting justice for them makes everything worth it. One case that stands out is a Child Molest case that we lost after a victim came forward after years of keeping it in. She came forward and a jury found that they just needed more evidence. We were crushed but because she came forward, other victims of the Defendant came forward as well because of her bravery. Months later we were able to convict him and sentence him to over 80 years for what he did to another victim. That feeling is something I wish we could market. The victim that did not get the justice she deserved felt like she won because of what the ultimate outcome was.

The same way I have always handled unfamiliar areas in life. I go head first and no body will out work me in figuring out an answer. My work ethic and drive will always guide me to obtaining the knowledge I need to become well versed in any area of the profession.

I was Chief Deputy Prosecutor for 3 years. As Chief Deputy I was responsible for running the criminal side of the prosecutor's office. Along with that was several staff members that help us do our jobs on a daily basis. My strengths as a supervisor include the ability to listen and work side by side with my deputies. I lead from the front and join my deputies in the trenches. I am not one that needs their name in the paper, and I get just as much joy seeing my deputies reach their potential and get justice. I always take the time to answer questions and provide advice based on my experience. I am also not afraid to adapt to situations that aren't comfortable. As an administrator, I treat everyone with respect, no matter who they voted for or what their education is. Our office is a family when it is running properly and without hostility. My deputies and staff respect me, but it is earned not demanded through intimidation or fear for their job.