ER - District Attorney candidates both say they are confident

District Attorney candidates both say they are confident
by Christine Bensen-Messinger, 5/18/2006

While Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Worth Dikeman focused many of his comments on what he considers to be his opponent’s shortcomings, Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos focused many of his responses on the positive change he thinks he has brought to the DA’s Office during a live televised debate on KEET-TV Channel 13 Wednesday night.

In his opening statement, Dikeman said voters could have four more years of the same thing, including cronyism, a mass exodus of experienced attorneys leaving the DA’s Office and no confidence in their DA, or they could vote for him and have an experienced prosecutor who makes his decisions based on facts and law.

“We’re only as strong or effective as our weakest link,” he said.

In his opening statement, Gallegos said he does not make prosecuting decisions based on wealth, position or popularity and toted the drop in violent crime he said the county has seen since he took office four years ago.

“I have made the office more effective (and) … accountable to the people of Humboldt County,” he said.

Gallegos said he has worked to lead the DA’s Office and community into the 21st century.

The debate, which lasted one hour, included 30 minutes of call-in questions and 30 minutes of questions posed by local reporters.

When asked what they thought the DA’s relationship with law enforcement should be, Dikeman, who has been unanimously endorsed by all local law enforcement agencies, said he believes it is important that the DA’s Office works well with local police.

“The District Attorney is the leader of the law enforcement community,” he said.

Gallegos said it is important that the DA take care to avoid having relationships with police.

When asked about the necessity of plea bargaining, both men agreed it is an integral part of the criminal justice system.

Gallegos said a higher number of plea bargains shows that criminals are concerned they will be convicted by a jury and so choose to accept pleas.

“That is a sign of our success as long as they are appropriate and we always strive to make them appropriate,” he said.

Dikeman said it is important that the less experienced attorneys be given guidance about acceptable pleas by the DA, something he said he does not think is being done.

Both candidates also answered questions about the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, the effects of methamphetamine in the community and their personal records on prosecution.

In closing, Gallegos toted his commitment to his job and the community and the need to continue pursuing “justice for all,” while Dikeman said change in the DA’s office is needed.

“There’s nothing wrong that can’t be changed at the top,” he said.

(Christine Bensen-Messinger can be reached at cbensen@eurekareporter.com.)

Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.