Candidates on the issues: Spokane County Prosecutor
Are you in favor of the proposed supported release program?
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Stephanie Olsen
Yes, says people are being released pretrial anyway and additional structure would be helpful.
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Deb Conklin
Yes, says it will reduce the jail population and let people continue with the positive things in their lives like jobs.
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Stafanie Collins
Maybe; says she is unsure if offering pre-trial services would motivate people to come to court.
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Larry Haskell
Yes. Believes people, largely facing misdemeanors, that the judge sends to it will benefit from the services the program would provide, at a minimal risk to the county.
Should prosecutors' discretion come into play on felony charging decisions?
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Stephanie Olsen
Yes, believes the elected prosecutor should trust and empower their deputies.
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Deb Conklin
Yes, believes prosecutors' discretion always comes into play.
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Stafanie Collins
Yes, says she frequently utilizes her discretion and trusts her coworkers to do the same.
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Larry Haskell
Yes, says that prosecutors should remain true to the statues but there always will be borderline cases where discretion is appropriate.
Should prosecutors charge on probable cause or beyond a reasonable doubt?
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Stephanie Olsen
Probable cause because at the time of charging often all prosecutors have is a certificate of probable cause from police. Believes, waiting to charge often lets the moment of crisis pass, when intervention is most important.
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Deb Conklin
Beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Stafanie Collins
Beyond a reasonable doubt, unless there is a large community risk then probable cause.
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Larry Haskell
Believes prosecutors should charge mostly on the beyond a reasonable doubt standard but can use probable cause if there's a large risk to community safety and a large likelihood of more evidence.
Currently, Spokane County files more felonies than most other counties in the state, including counties with significantly more people. Is the Spokane County overcharging defendants?
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Stephanie Olsen
Maybe, believes community is growing and crime is changing. Does not support higher charges to get a plea deal.
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Deb Conklin
Yes, says it's a strategy the prosecutor's office currently uses to have "throw-away charges' that can be dismissed in return for a guilty plea.
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Stafanie Collins
No, says she hasn't seen anyone overfilling currently in the office.
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Larry Haskell
No, says a low decline rate for prosecution is what both Spokane residents and law enforcement want. The office does not overcharge people to get plea deals.