The abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs increases crime greatly.  Twin Falls County, like most communities, has significant drug-related problems.  In addition to very high use and sale of methamphetamine, we have seen a significant increase in the abuse of illegal opioids like heroin and the illegal abuse of prescription pain killers.

Dealing with this growing and evolving problem requires a two-pronged approach:  Holding law-breakers accountable, and treating the casual users and the addicted. To fight drug crime, I formed the first dedicated drug prosecution unit in Magic Valley history. This unit is staffed with attorneys with an average of 14 years of prosecution experience—most of that specializing in drug prosecution.  Law enforcement in Twin Falls County takes drug crime seriously—focusing mainly on the dealers and those who traffic in large quantities of illegal drugs.

The fight against drugs also requires prevention and treatment.  I was instrumental in forming the first Drug Court in the Magic Valley, and in fighting to make sure that drug courts continue to serve both the offenders who need treatment and the security of the citizens of our county.   To that end, I have created a unique program which serves the low-level, beginning drug users who are not eligible for standard drug court.  The Substance Abuse Recovery Program is unique to Twin Falls County and helps low-level drug users back to sobriety and productivity. Finally, I have established the competitive Prosecuting Attorney’s Drug Free Scholarship which offers graduates of Twin Falls County high schools scholarships to attend the College of Southern Idaho when they pledge to remain drug free.  So far this program has helped 19 young Twin Falls County students launch their college careers.

In serving as your prosecuting attorney, I do more than just prosecute criminals.  It is my job to be—first and foremost—the advocate for Twin Falls County and its citizens.  Putting Twin Falls County first is my duty. In addition to an enormous criminal case load, I also manage a Civil Division which is responsible for daily advice and assistance to the county’s commissioners, other elected officials and its many departments.  My office has handled millions of dollars in contract negotiations on behalf of the county, perhaps most notably the successful sale of the county hospital to St. Luke’s. Because of that sale, Twin Falls citizens gained a modern, first class medical facility and the county gained an expansive new office building to serve the needs of our growing community.  In addition to the old hospital building–now County West–the county received substantial payments to put towards indigent medical care in Twin Falls and set up a charitable trust, the Health Initiative Trust Fund, which disburses funds to many worthy organizations.

My office also represents the county and its children in all child protection cases.  We file child protection cases when a Twin Falls child is abused or neglected.  Usually the parents and the endangered child are reunited after treatment and training; sometimes, regrettably, the parental rights are terminated.  Child protection cases are some of the most important cases we do.  We can literally save a child’s life with timely intervention.  I place some of my most experienced prosecutors in child protection court and in juvenile court.

My civil office has also represented Twin Falls County in complex litigation.  In 2011, I spearheaded Twin Falls County’s challenge to the Idaho Redistricting Commission’s illegal attempt to carve Twin Falls County into multiple legislative districts and dilute its influence in the legislature.  I took this fight to the Supreme Court and won.  The court sided with Twin Falls County and prevented a scheme which would have drastically disenfranchised rural Idahoans.

Sometimes my work for the county requires me to engage the State Legislature and serve on state and national committees.  As your prosecuting attorney, I have worked with the legislature to enact good laws, and fight bad ones; I have served on Supreme Court committees to advise about new criminal rules and jury instructions; I have been a leader in the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association—becoming the only person in its history to serve three terms as its President; I have been Idaho’s representative to the National District Attorneys Association which represents state interests to the federal government.  In all of these positions I have fought for the interests of the citizens of Twin Falls County who have entrusted me with this important job.  In all of these positions I have fought for fair, competent, effective administration of justice in Twin Falls County.