Justice rather than convictions
Garth Dano is not new to the courtroom.
MATTAWA - Before the last election, Mattawa Police Chief John Turley complained at times that current Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee trash-canned prosecutable cases originating at the MPD.
Incoming Prosecutor Garth Dano says Turley could end up feeling that way again. However, Dano adds that he will attempt to stop this kind of problem before it starts, through communication.
Dano intends to schedule times to meet with all law enforcement officers in the county to provide them with insight. He plans to give clear direction as to what the prosecutor's office needs in order to obtain convictions of criminals.
Dano says he will review actual and hypothetical cases with the various police departments and agencies. He wants line officers to have an expectation of what they need to do to prepare a solid police report and provide necessary testimony.
"I have already spoken with Sheriff Tom Jones, who has told me that he is very much looking forward to working with me," Dano said. "I've also met and spoken with all of Grant County's municipal chiefs of police."
Dano believes that having been a civil plaintiff's lawyer and a criminal defense lawyer will be of value in his new post. He'll be able to anticipate defense arguments, theory, and positions and advise originating agencies of them.
"As the chief law enforcement officer of the county, I will be seeking justice rather than just convictions," Dano said. "Our county faces very serious problems in our criminal justice system. Due to budgetary concerns, it is going to be a challenge to always provide crime victims and law enforcement with vindication for harms done."
Dano said he will use common sense, experience and good judgment in the handling of criminal cases. He plans to work with defense attorneys so that cases can be expedited.
"I can meet with defense attorneys and provide them with the entire prosecutor file, which will lead to earlier guilty pleas and convictions," Dano said. "This will result in getting criminals out of our severely overcrowded jail and on to the state penitentiary, saving tax payer money."
"My goal as a prosecutor is to treat everyone respectfully," Dano added. "I will require the deputy prosecutors to speak with law enforcement and crime victims and be available to meet privately with defense counsel prior to a case going to trial. I will insist that the deputy prosecutors treat defense counsel respectfully both inside and outside of court."
Dano hasn't revealed how he will handle staffing. He has said he intends to have Moses Lake attorney Alan White serve as chief criminal deputy. The rest is yet to be determined.
"I need to make employment decisions fairly quickly, he said. "It is vitally important that I meet with the staff as soon as possible. I need to review the employees' files and evaluations, proposed prosecutor's budget for 2015 and meet with the human resources staff."
Dano added: "My goal is to have the very best lawyers and staff Grant County can afford and maintain for the benefit of our criminal-civil justice system."
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