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<br />9 <br />232370v2 <br />Victim-Centered Approach to Domestic Assault and Other Public Safety Matters. Our <br />approach to plea bargaining centers on our clients, justice, and the victims of crime. We work closely with <br />all crime victims throughout the court process. We contact crime victims directly in domestic assault cases <br />and engage victim advocates for additional assistance. We seek the victim’s input to assist us in determining <br />the proper outcome of the case. If during the course of investigation or prosecution we learn that charges are <br />either erroneous or unfounded, we work to ensure that the case does not continue. It is a simple thing to <br />demand a plea of guilty and insist on a trial if a guilty plea is not received. It becomes more diff icult when a <br />victim pleads with you that she/he does not want you to force her/him to testify, that it will disrupt family <br />harmony, have an adverse effect on the family’s employment status and income, and do irreparable damage <br />to the family unit. We recognize that the inner workings of the justice system have tangible effects on the <br />lives of victims. If a prosecutor fails to take these factors into account, the prosecutor is not attempting to do <br />justice, but is blindly seeking convictions. We make every effort to learn what is important to crime victims <br />to ensure plea negotiations best serve the interests of justice. <br /> <br />Approach to Driving While Intoxicated Offenses. Our firm treats Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) <br />offenses very seriously. We ensure that DWI offenders are prosecuted to protect public safety. All offenders <br />are required to attend a Victim Impact Panel and obtain a Chemical Dependency Evaluation and follow those <br />recommendations. For repeat offenders, we seek jail time, Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM), and <br />significant fines. In the event an individual is a victim of a DWI offense, we seek restitution on his/her behalf. <br /> <br />Approach to Theft Offenses. Our firm handles a high volume of both misdemeanor and gross <br />misdemeanor theft offenses. We regularly meet with the officers to enhance the law enforcement response <br />to shoplifters. In prosecuting these offenses, we focus on the number and type of prior offenses an offender <br />has had. We also consider the reason the offender stole the items. <br /> <br />Approach Regarding Driver’s License Offenses. Our firm deals with numerous defendants who are <br />cited and arrested for repeat driver’s license offenses, such as Driving After Revocation, Driving After <br />Suspension, and Driving After Cancellation. Several of our clients currently participate in the Driving <br />Diversion Program (DDP). DDP provides defendants with the tools to obtain a valid driver’s license by <br />putting overdue fines on a payment plan. This program is instrumental in helping defendants obtain insurance <br />and have the ability to travel to work and school. The purpose of the program is to enable people to take <br />responsibility for their past conduct, pay their debts, and get back on the road to becoming responsible <br />citizens. If a defendant can successfully obtain a valid driver’s license, then we will generally resolve the case <br />in a way that will allow the defendant to retain the valid driver’s license. If a defendant continues to drive <br />without a valid license, then we will hold the offender accountable by seeking communit y work service, jail <br />time, and fines to protect the traveling public. <br /> <br /> <br />[The rest of this page intentionally left blank.] <br /> <br /> <br />62