‘I Have Fulfilled Commitments I Made’

Tue., Oct. 13, 1998

Jim Sweetser

COVER LETTER

My highly motivated and dedicated staff of over 70 deputy prosecutors and 60 support personnel have consistently set all-time records for the number of Superior Court trials and convictions. Our conviction rate for all Superior Court filings has risen from 82 percent in 1995 to over 90 percent in 1998.

That means more court time, more convictions, longer jail sentences and less plea bargaining. I have fulfilled commitments I made to you in 1994.

We are proud of the new programs that have been implemented to keep you safe:

Regionally recognized Gang Prosecution Team sent criminals to jail for 800 years.

Nationally recognized, Coordinated Regional Domestic Violence Team.

Team Based Management Twelve Mini Law Firms: Major Crimes, Special Assault, District Court, Property Crimes, Drug Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Appellate Team, NOPA Team, Civil Team, Family Law Team, Gang Crime Team, Domestic Violence Crime Team.

Victim advocates for child, gang, elderly, domestic violence and violent crime victims.

Neighborhood Oriented Prosecuting Attorney Program for East Central, West Central, and Edgecliff neighborhoods.

Uniform charging and sentencing standards.

Civil litigation specialist saves taxpayers over $100,000 each year.

Sexual Registration Program.

My experience, proven track record and tough stance on crime qualifies me to lead our community and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office into the 21st century.

This sidebar appeared with the story: RESUME OF James R. Sweetser (Dem)

Education Brown University, Providence, R.I., 1980 Gonzaga School of Law, Spokane, 1984

Management Experience Supervising deputy prosecuting attorney, 10 years; advising police agencies, supervisor of Burglary/Traffic Team three years Supervisor, Major Crimes Team, three years Elected prosecutor four years ago

Trial Experience Fourteen years, 275 criminal trials, including: Thomas A. DiBartolo, sentenced to 26 years Dwayne Woods, death penalty Kevin Boot, life without possibility of parole Kenneth Comeslast, life without possibility of parole Larry Housdan, 29 years Blake Pirtle, first death penalty case in county in 25 years

Appellate Experience Twenty-two cases argued before the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. No trial conviction reversed on appeal

Committees and Boards Juvenile TASK Force on Prevention of Violence in Schools Member, Serial Killer Homicide Task Force Chairman, Domestic Violence Policy Board Member, Domestic Violence Consortium; Law and Justice Council; Bench, Bar, Press Committee; Superior Court Liaison Committee; National Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Bar Association Professionalism Award Committee; Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys Legislative Committee

Hobbies Family activities, coaching youth basketball, fly fishing, softball, golf

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