CATHY EKE
THE ISSUES
Providing Safety for our Citizens
Henry County needs a Prosecutor that is not afraid to go to trial. Too many lenient plea agreements have been dispersed, in order to avoid trials. My trial experience is unmatched.
Drug dealing remains rampant in this county and citizens are dying as a result. I will prosecute drug dealing cases that result in overdose deaths. Although our neighboring counties are zealously prosecuting these types of cases, Henry County has yet to file any. I pledge to follow through and go after those dealers that are killing our citizens with the poison they are peddling.
Drunk driving crimes are one of the most avoidable crimes. It is my goal to aggressively prosecute those who choose to drive under the influence, especially when harming other innocent motorists.
Providing Swift Justice
The Prosecutor’s Office is the “gas pedal” to the criminal justice system. Society benefits from swift resolution of criminal cases by limiting incarceration costs and maintaining faith in the system. It benefits everyone to bring these cases to a resolution quickly. This is not being done.
I have created many techniques to speed up this process, including posting Discovery online accessible to only attorneys of record. Indiana is an automatic Discovery state, yet obtaining Discovery in this county has been difficult, time consuming, and sometimes nearly impossible. If I am elected Prosecutor, I will file Discovery on cases just after criminal charges are filed, thereby speeding up this process and reducing pretrial incarcerations.
Legitimate plea offers will be extended to defense counsel soon after first court appearances. Deadlines for acceptance of these legitimate offers will be withdrawn and increased if not accepted within a reasonable period of time. Also, the Habitual Offender will be used as a negotiation technique to further expedite court proceedings and case resolutions.
MAKING REAL CHANGE
When Experience Matters Most
Reducing Incarceration Costs
Too many inmates linger in the Henry County Jail too long, causing taxpayers to foot the bill. It currently costs an average of $42 per day to incarcerate a typical Henry County inmate. Some inmates require additional costs. Currently, the average daily jail population ranges from 190-225 inmates. Significant annual savings of $40,000 to $50,000 could be made by reducing that population. It only makes sense to reduce the jail population, thereby reducing costs of incarceration that are paid by you, the taxpayer. This does not mean releasing dangerous inmates. This means expediting the resolution of criminal cases swiftly, whether they go to trial or accept a plea offer.
I would review the jail list daily to see what low level offender inmates could potentially be released on community corrections or otherwise resolve their cases.
Providing Additional Child Safeguards
Too many child abuse and child neglect cases slip through the cracks and never get prosecuted. I pledge to assign a Deputy Prosecutor to consult on a consistent basis with the Henry County Department of Child Services. Currently, there is little communication between Henry County DCS and the Prosecutor’s Office. I pledge to assign a Deputy Prosecutor to consult on a consistent basis with DCS so that child abuse/neglect cases no longer slip through the cracks.
Improving Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence
No Contact Orders will automatically be filed simultaneously with all Domestic Violence criminal charges. This provides additional safety for victims of domestic violence. Historically, this has not been done in Henry County. It has been left up to the victims themselves to file this paperwork. Often times, they are unsure how to file these documents, which also require additional and separate court hearings. Victims may also feel uncomfortable, or even fearful, with taking this step. An automatic filing of these documents, along with the criminal charges, reduces the burden from victims and places the responsibility on the Prosecutor’s Office, thereby safeguarding victims of domestic violence.
Improving Law Enforcement Communications
There has been a lack of communication between law enforcement officers and the Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor is the lead law enforcement officer of the county. As such, there must be excellent communication between all law enforcement officers and the Prosecutor’s Office. This also includes Henry County Jail staff.
Oftentimes, officers and deputies can spend hundreds of hours investigating big cases. I will keep those officers apprised of the prosecution, ask for their opinions on potential sentences, invite them to sentencing hearings, and notify them of case outcomes.
I Ask for Your Vote
Please vote for Cathy Eke. As your Prosecutor, allow me to make these positive changes to benefit the safety of our community and improve fiscal responsibility.