PUNISHMENT FOR DRUG OFFENDERS DIVIDES CASS COUNTY PROSECUTOR CANDIDATES

The Cass County prosecutor's race pits opponents with very different
outlooks on how to punish drug offenders.

Republican incumbent Chris Koster suggests 30 days of jail time for everyone.

His opponent and Democratic nominee, Matthew Hamilton, said that requesting
the same punishment for all offenders, despite their situations, is
irresponsible.

"The prosecutor recommends a maximum sentence on every drug crime from a
first-time drug user to a hardened dealer.

"I would liken that to a mother who always grounds her child for five years
for everything the child does wrong," Hamilton said. "You lose credibility."

A better method, he said, is to recommend probation but temper it with
threats of jail if the offender violates any probation conditions.

"We need to test drug offenders," Hamilton said. "If they stay clean, they
avoid the long arm of the law. If they test positive, they get shock time."

Hamilton said he would approach child molesters differently as well. All
cases must be pursued vigorously because a child molester will continue his
crime spree until caught.

"If you refuse to file it until there is ironclad evidence, more children
are likely to be victimized in the meantime," Hamilton said. "We are
picking and choosing what to bring and advertising that to the media."

Hamilton also emphasized that he will actively participate in trials.

"I don't know what he does," Hamilton said, referring to Koster. "But he is
not actively involved in day-to-day court operations."

Koster responded by questioning his opponent's experience. As Cass County
prosecutor, Koster said, he trains attorneys in his office.

"My opponent has never tried a jury trial," Koster said. "The most junior
attorney in my office has more experience than my opponent. It becomes a
question of who is training whom."

Koster touted his prosecutorial record. He said his office: has a 100
percent conviction rate in homicide cases, ranks No. 1 in the state for
collecting child support and has the lowest percentage of plea bargains in
the state.

Koster acknowledged that the courts, despite his recommendations, generally
release drug offenders on probation. But he said his recommendations are
justified because narcotics cases account for 20 percent of felonies in
Cass County. Moreover, Koster said he is simply following the "will of the
people" since the Missouri General Assembly passed those sentencing guidelines.

"We make no plea bargain," Koster said. "First-time narcotics possession
merits at least 30 days in jail. It's simply unacceptable that there should
not be consequences for that."

Koster added that his work as prosecutor isn't done. He wants to personally
prosecute John E. Robinson Sr. for allegedly murdering two women and a
teen-age girl, whose bodies were found in barrels in a Raymore storage
locker. He also wants to see the Cass County Justice Center completed.
Koster said he helped oversee the building's design.

Cass County

Prosecutor

Republican

CHRIS KOSTER

. Age: 38

. Address: unincorporated Cass County, near Belton

. Occupation: Cass County prosecutor

. Civic involvement: board member of Missouri Association of Prosecuting
Attorneys, a member of the U.S. attorney's anti-terrorism task force,
Belton/Raymore Rotary Club

. Stances:

- -- Makes no plea bargains on narcotic charges
- -- Has a 100 percent conviction rate on homicide cases
- -- Oversees technological advances in Missouri so that courts and
prosecuting attorneys' offices can more readily share information

Democrat

MATTHEW HAMILTON

. Age: 29

. Address: Raymore

. Occupation: Lawyer

. Civic involvement: Belton/Raymore Lions Club, Belton Chamber of Commerce,
committeeman in juvenile and criminal law with the Kansas City Metropolitan
Bar Association, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, Missouri
Association of Trial Attorneys

. Stances:

- -- Supports taking a tough stance against accused child molesters
- -- Promises that he'll actively prosecute criminal cases
- -- Would encourage first-time drug offenders to abide by the probation
conditions by threatening harsh punishment if any violations occurred