JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS NEW IDEAS

As a prosecutor, I know the county attorney can and should do more to
ease jail overflow and spearhead a new method of processing cases
through our system.

Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek bravely approached the Iowa Legislature and
told them that we need to change the way we process low-level alcohol
and drug offenses. Despite criticisms to the contrary, the sheriff is
not proposing that we ignore laws against excessive drinking or use
of illegal drugs. The sheriff has the best interests of the community
in mind, as do I. I contend it is time we take a look at the way in
which low-level alcohol and drug offenses are overwhelming our
system, burdening our overcrowded jail and taking the focus away from
more serious, violent offenders.

Since I announced my campaign for Johnson County Attorney, I have
advocated for fresh ideas. Like Sheriff Pulkrabek, I believe that
Johnson County ultimately needs a new correctional facility. This
facility could include a detoxification or treatment center along
with additional space for violent offenders. In the meantime, police
should be encouraged to cite and release marijuana offenders on a
promise to appear in court, and we should investigate alternate
placement for non-violent intoxicated persons.

I also believe we should supplement jail diversion programs already
implemented with court-diversion programs that permit low-level
offenders to avoid incarceration and a criminal record by remaining
arrest-free during a period of probation, seek treatment and perform
community service. The community is safer from these offenders when
we give them a stake in their own success, rather than the current
"assembly-line" justice system that incarcerates, fines, convicts and
forgets about them until they offend again.

Nick Maybanks

Coralville