I have worked at the Albany County Attorney's office for nearly fifteen years, both as a deputy county attorney and the elected county attorney. During this time, I have gained extensive experience in prosecuting crime, as well as working with law enforcement, the courts and opposing counsel in Albany County. I have had the pleasure of working with the members of our criminal justice system over these years and developing the relationships necessary to achieve the best results for the citizens of Albany County. I have also gained experience in working with departments heads and elected officials in Albany County and providing them legal advice and support. Albany County is special place to work and live and I hope to continue to serve.
Most often, an individual is arrested and the prosecutor's office has to make a charging decision in a relatively short amount of time. The first analysis is to determine what charges, if any, fit the facts of the case itself. Next, a prosecutor needs to look at what charges are proper to pursue. I consider the nature of the offense, violent or nonviolent, any harm caused to victims, and the individual defendant themselves, including their age, circumstances, criminal history, and other factors unique to the person. Whether to charge a case and, if so, how to proceed with the prosecution of that case is dependent on the facts of each case. Prosecutors are ministers of justice and our duty is to seek justice to the best of our ability.
Sentencing recommendations are often the result of plea negotiations with opposing counsel as a part of a larger plea deal. When determining what sentence recommendation to give to the court, I look to the nature of the crime, the affect of the crime on the victim and the community, and the defendant's past criminal history and the character of the person being prosecuted. Nonviolent crimes, property crimes and drug offenses, tend to lend themselves toward making the victim whole and rehabilitation, while violent crimes are more likely to require incarceration. Each case and defendant are unique and often require creative solutions to achieve the goals of sentencing, deterrence, rehabilitation, and, if necessary, removal from society.
In Albany County, we have both adult and juvenile diversion programs, which allow for people charged with crimes to go through programs where they learn better ways to handle situations and life, but avoid a criminal record. In the juvenile diversion program, administered by Big Brothers Big Sisters, kids are offered services and support and avoid going through juvenile justice system, which leads to lower recidivism and less negative impact on the kids and their families. The adult diversion program works in much the same way and is supervised by a case manager. I support any program that provides for accountability and rehabilitation, but allows individuals to avoid the criminal justice system and a criminal record.
I believe Albany County deserves experienced, steady leadership in the County Attorney's Office. For the past eight years, I have served as a Deputy County Attorney, representing the County in civil matters, prosecuting misdemeanors, and handling felony prosecutions. During that time, I have tried 18 jury cases, the majority involving felony offenses. In addition to my work with the County, I have served as a Judge Advocate (JAG) in the Wyoming Army National Guard since 2022. I advise military commanders on legal and ethical issues, which has strengthened my judgment, leadership, and ability to make difficult decisions under pressure. As Albany County Attorney, I will build on the office's strong tradition of providing sound legal counsel.
Every charging decision begins with the law and the evidence. Prosecutors have an ethical duty to file charges only when the evidence supports them and there is a reasonable likelihood of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Under my leadership, the County Attorney’s Criminal Division will continue working closely with our local law enforcement agencies while exercising independent legal judgment. This partnership is essential to protecting public safety, allowing every case to be evaluated on its own facts, the applicable law, and the interests of justice. Our #1 responsibility will be to provide objective legal advice based on the law, regardless of politics or outside pressure.
Sentencing recommendations should promote both justice and public safety. In making those recommendations, I consider the four recognized purposes of sentencing: punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and incapacitation. I also consider the individual facts of each case, including the impact on victims, the defendant's criminal history, acceptance of responsibility, and the likelihood of successful rehabilitation. Albany County is fortunate to have treatment resources that are not available in many Wyoming communities. When treatment can safely reduce future crime and help someone become a productive member of the community, it should be considered. When prison is necessary to protect the public I will advocate for that as well.
I support evidence-based alternatives that improve public safety while holding offenders accountable. Albany County's adult and juvenile diversion programs provide appropriate first-time or low-risk offenders an opportunity to address underlying issues through treatment or education while avoiding a criminal conviction. I also strongly support the Albany County Court Supervised Treatment Program (Drug Court), where I have served for six years. These programs are not appropriate for every case, but when they reduce recidivism, promote accountability, and help participants become productive members of our community, they are valuable tools.
