| 12/27/2006 3:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Child support changes among Lewis' priorities
New prosecutor to take office at start of new year
Donovan Estridge
Courier Staff Writer
Changes will be coming in the prosecutor's office as Jefferson/Switzlerand County Prosecutor-Elect Chad Lewis prepares to take over the job at the end of the year.
Besides personnel changes, such as hiring chief deputy prosecutor D.J. Mote from Marion County, Lewis wants to make the prosecutor's office more efficient. To accomplish this, Lewis said he wants to change some internal policies.
"There are going to be some changes made in the child support side of the office," Lewis said.
During the primary campaign last spring, Lewis focused on the need to revamp the way the county handles the hundreds of child support claims. One of the methods he wants to use is applying a more user-friendly system that will benefit all parties.
"There has been some difficulty in the past with communication between the prosecutor's office and custodial parents," Lewis said.
Lewis hopes his new child support deputy will help his office accomplish its goal.
But communication isn't the only item that Lewis wants to change. Since getting elected in November, he has been critical of the county's record for collecting child support. According to the prosecutor-elect, Jefferson County saw a 9 percent decline in payments through the month of December. The numbers are worse in Switzerland County where payments are down 20 percent, he said.
"I know statistics can be misleading," Lewis said. "but we need to get on the right track."
Because Lewis feels strongly about bolstering child support collections, he promised to take an active role early in his administration to oversee that department.
During the campaign, candidates debated how to battle the drug problem in the county. Now that he is elected, Lewis wants to make true on his promises.
One way he plans to help is to be active in the schools and community. Already, Lewis has been in contact with a former methamphetamine addict who served substantial prison time for his addiction. Lewis said he wants to utilize the former user to speak about his addictions to students.
"He can talk about being an ex-inmate," Lewis said. "It will probably be more powerful for students to hear him as opposed to their teacher."
Also Lewis wants to help implement programs with the Boys and Girls Club, Girls Inc., and Turning Point.
One of the biggest deterrents in slowing down the growth of drug use is to strive for convictions, Lewis said.
"We need to make sure we get convictions," Lewis said.
In addition to ensuring the conviction rate is high for drug offenders, Lewis would like to see sentences increased as well. Though a lot of discretion is left to the judges, Lewis thinks longer sentences would help prevent the spread of drugs.
"If someone is convicted of manufacturing meth and they get a suspended sentence or home detention, that sends a message to the public," Lewis said. "Longer sentences also send a message."
Before Lewis implements his plans he has to get used to his new case load. After Dec. 31, current prosecutor Chris Naylor will no longer be responsible for any criminal cases. To alleviate some of the problems with the transition, Naylor and Lewis will meet next week to discuss the status of certain cases.
The change in administrations comes at a critical time since one high-profile case ended in a hung jury last week. Now, Lewis will have to determine if his office will proceed in trying it again. Lewis will also now be responsible for the highly publicized Michael Bowen case. Bowen is accused of being under the influence of Freon when he drove his car through a crowd of people at the Madison Regatta.
"The Bowen trial is scheduled for March," Lewis said. "I know the witnesses are already lined up and experts are ready to testify. It should go smoothly."
Though Lewis is optimistic, he admitted that there is a slight disadvantage to taking over the cases.
"Of course there is going to be a disadvantage," Lewis acknowledged. "There is somewhat of a learning curve but there isn't anything we can't overcome."
Regardless, Lewis believes that he and his office will be ready to take over in January. By taking a proactive approach, Lewis thinks the office will run efficiently.
"You have to be proactive," Lewis said. "If you aren't you fall behind."
Lewis will officially become prosecutor on Jan. 1.
|
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Article comment by:
Robin Morosini
Mr. Lewis' first order of business should be to file a motion for a change of venue on the Michael Bowen case. If Mr. Lewis wants to start his career off on a high note (no pun intended) talk about opportunity knocking. This is the perfect case to set his example for 'slowing down the growth of drug use'. A conviction on this case and subsequent jail time with the maximum sentence imposed would surely put a feather in his cap. Show the community he means business. However, with Judge Hoying presiding over the case, Mr. Lewis better be very careful, dot all his i's and cross all his t's. This case could make or break him as county prosecutor. Judge Hoying will be looking for a little payoff to keep Mr. Bowen out of jail. Mr. Bowen needs the maximum sentence when convicted to send his message drug use will not be tolerated. Let Mr. Bowen spend a few summers, falls, Christmas's in jail, just as Jennifer Willette has. As the most seriously injured in the Madison Regatta, she is STILL in the hospital, six months after the accident. I sure hope Mr. Bowen had a nice Christmas as home with his family. I hope it is his last for quite a few years.
|
Article Comment Form
|
