Moscow city prosecutor leaving for private practice

Erin Tomlin took a leap of faith in March when she submitted her letter of resignation as the Moscow city prosecutor. After four years of working for the city, she decided to resign her position without quite knowing what she was going to do next.

“It’s one of those things that I’ll look back on in the future and think, that was crazy,” said the 37-year-old.

It worked out for Tomlin, though. After hearing the news that she was resigning, Tim Gresback contacted her and offered her an associate’s position at his personal injury firm in Moscow. Tomlin will be joining him in the middle of June with the potential to one day inherit the entire practice, said Gresback.

He went on to say that he has been an attorney for 30 years, but has never mentored an apprentice before and hopes to be a good role model for Tomlin.

Tomlin will turn over the reins today to new city prosecutor, Liz Warner.

“Erin has a reputation for working hard, smart and with heart,” Gresback said, who first heard of Tomlin when she was a law student at the University of Idaho in 2012.

“It’s a natural transition,” said Tomlin about her upcoming move.

She added that she was especially excited because she will still be a voice for victims who are seeking help.

“That’s what I’m passionate about,” she said.

As city prosecutor, Tomlin said she tried to provide resources for those who found themselves in misdemeanor court.

“Misdemeanor court is where the rubber meets the road for our community,” said Tomlin, adding that people from all different backgrounds end up in misdemeanor court.

Many times, instead of dismissing a case or recommending jail time for someone who may be struggling with mental illness, Tomlin said, she tried to get them the help in less obvious ways. Instead of punitive measures for minor trespassing and disturbing the peace charges, she said, she made an effort to reach out to resources in the community equipped to handle mental health issues.

“I believe in the ‘it takes a village’ approach,” she said.

In her time as city prosecutor she took a special interest in domestic violence cases. Her goal, she said, was to stop the violence before it got to the felony level.

“It’s hard because the criminal evidence isn’t always there at the misdemeanor level,” she said.

Instead she identified other resources such as the University of Idaho Women’s Center or school counselors if children were involved. There are a lot of programs in the community that don’t get used enough, and every time she hears about a new one she adds it to her growing list, she said.

“I always ask myself, what’s in my tool box, what can I put in it,” she said.

Tomlin was awarded the UI’s 2017 Virginia Wolff Distinguished Service Award for her efforts in raising awareness on the issues surrounding victims of domestic violence and her advocacy to increase resources and training among service providers and community members.

Tomlin received her master’s degree from the Martin School of Political Science in May 2017 and will also be also be joining the board of the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Idaho’s Second District in June.