GRANT COUNTY – Attorney Robert Schiffner is running for Grant County Prosecutor because he wants to make Grant County the best place to live and the worst place to commit crime.

“I will lower the tax burden on citizens of Grant County and make our streets safer by efficiently using your tax dollars,” Schiffner stated. “I will accomplish these goals while always keeping in mind that it is better to prevent a crime against a citizen rather than prosecute it after the fact.”

He stated he has more than 20 years of legal experience.

“I am the only candidate who was born and raised here,” Schiffner stated. “I do not need to conduct focus groups or take polls to determine what the citizens of Grant County want from their criminal justice system and from their elected officials, because I have interacted with the citizens of this county for five decades.”

He has several goals for the position including having more law enforcement visible to the community, reducing crime, spending taxpayer dollars wisely and making Grant County a better place to work and live.

“This contribution will be accomplished by actively participating in the process that brings new jobs and economic growth to our county,” Schiffner stated. “I will work hard as the legal advisor to the Grant County commissioners to make sure that county government is doing everything it can to promote responsible growth in our community.”

He sees three challenges facing the prosecutor’s office and wants to alleviate them.

“The last seven months have been filled with lawsuits, turmoil and resentment,” he explained. “I will work to put all of this to rest and move forward with the goals for the office.”

It will be a challenge eliminating lawsuits filed against the county, Schiffner stated.

“One lawsuit alone last year cost the county nearly $500,000 in damages and attorneys fees,” he stated.

A final challenge is implementing new procedures in the office to move cases through the system in an effort to reduce prosecution and indigent defense costs, he stated.

Schiffner stated citizens should vote for him because of his 20 years of trial experience throughout the court system.

“I have handled over two dozen cases in the Court of Appeals,” he stated. “None of the convictions I obtained as prosecutor has ever been overturned on appeal. I also have a master’s degree in business from Washington State University and managerial experience as an engineer at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and at other nuclear and geothermal power plants.”

He explained he will carry a full case load if elected.

“I believe the citizens of this county deserve a prosecutor who will handle the toughest cases himself,” Schiffner stated. “I will lead from the front and by example.”

He defines the prosecutor as the principal legal advisor to elected officials, is responsible for prosecuting crimes and defends Grant County in civil lawsuits.

“Importantly, the prosecutor is also charged with the responsibility to reform and improve the administration of the justice system and to make every effort to eliminate and remedy injustice,” Schiffner stated. “The prosecutor has a valuable and important role to play in promoting responsible growth within the county in partnership with all elected officials and the community at large.”

He explained several ways he could improve efficiency in the prosecutor’s office.

“Routine cases need to move more quickly through the criminal justice system,” he stated. “Routine vacations and illnesses by deputy prosecutors should not be reasons for costly continuances of criminal matters while defendants sit in the Grant County jail at taxpayer expense. Criminal matters need to move through the system at a constant pace regardless of day to day staffing levels.”

Schiffner stated it’s important for deputy prosecutors to communicate with law enforcement.

“Finally, all the recent law school graduates hired as prosecutors will need to undergo intensive training and supervision to develop the skills and judgement necessary to serve the citizens of Grant County,” he stated.

He plans to reduce the number of convictions by reducing crime.

“Prosecuting crime and gaining convictions is important, but preventing criminal conduct is even more important,” Schiffner stated. “When crimes are committed, the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office has to be prepared to aggressively and cost-effectively prosecute the defendant to the fullest extent of the law in order to protect the citizens of Grant County.”

He explained how plea agreements are necessary to the criminal justice system.

Due to various scheduling and time constraints, there are only so many trials to be held each year, while there are hundreds of felonies committed each year, he stated. To increase the amount of trials, more judges and staff would be needed in addition to a larger court facility to house the activity.

“The solution is simple,” Schiffner stated. “The majority of felony cases must be resolved within a few weeks after being filed. Plea agreements must be extended within days of filing of a case rather than weeks or months. Routine cases must be resolved in an efficient manner so precious resources can be focused on the most violent criminals who prey on the weakest members of our community.”

He stated the most important aspect of a good prosecutor is extensive legal experience and sound judgement.

“’Experience Matters’ is more than a campaign slogan, it is a reality,” Schiffner stated. “My 20 years of legal experience, my construction management experience and my education make me the only candidate qualified for the job of Grant County prosecutor.”