LAKEPORT — District attorney candidates debated about marijuana legalization, sentence bargaining, public opinion and many more issues during a public forum Tuesday night in the Board of Supervisors chambers in Lakeport.
Incumbent Jon Hopkins and challengers Don Anderson and Doug Rhoades also gave their opinions on critical traits for district attorney, challenges in the office, the Victim-Witness Division, crime related to methamphetamine or marijuana and the case against Bismarck Dinius. The debate started at 7 p.m. and was co-sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and LakeCoNews. They will have another debate April 15 in Middletown. The election is June 8.
Anderson said he couldn”t favor marijuana legalization, though he thinks it may reduce crime.
“It”s a necessary thing just like alcohol and cigarettes ? it”s part of our community,” Anderson said. “I don”t care how much it”s regulated. It”s going to be here.”
Hopkins said he had not yet read the ballot measure to legalize marijuana in California. The measure will appear on the November ballot.
Hopkins said while taxes may help enforce illegal grows, legalization without restriction on growing would be a problem.
“There”s already so much violence with people stealing drugs from people growing legal amounts of medical marijuana,” Hopkins said.
Rhoades said with an age limit of 21, a limit on the amount people can legally buy and other regulations he would support marijuana legalization.
“I”m actually for a measure legalizing marijuana,” Rhoades said.
He said the law shouldn”t change the illegality of driving under the influence or public intoxication.
Anderson said he supports sentence bargaining because he thinks it will result in savings and more cases will settle.
Sentence bargaining guarantees defendants a maximum sentence if they plea to charges.
“I can only think of one reason why not; the District Attorney”s Office doesn”t have faith in themselves or the deputies to make decisions,” Anderson said.
“If there”s an offer made and I don”t like it, it”s not fair or it”s too lenient, it will not be accepted,” Anderson said.
Hopkins said he is against sentence bargaining on felonies because it treats the justice system like a “flea market” and it would “turn the back on victims and public safety” with the “only focus on trying to get things off your desk.”
“I think the judges aught to sentence,” Hopkins said. “I don”t think felons should pick their plea.”
Rhoades said he”s in favor of sentence bargaining and that he doesn”t think it would turn the system into a flea market.
“The district attorney retains the right to say no, if that”s the case, the case goes to trial,” Rhoades said. “Every judge has to approve sentences.”
Rhoades said he would be a good district attorney because he would protect the people and encourage youth and new business by keeping the community safe from crime.
“I want to make sure the Lake County we pass on is as good, if not better, than the Lake County we inherited,” Rhoades said.
Anderson said he thinks he would be an effective district attorney because he treats everyone, including defendants, with respect.
“I want to give back to the community,” Anderson said.
Hopkins said people should vote for him because he”s a strong prosecutor, effective leader, and he holds people accountable.
“I bring integrity, professionalism and experience to the District Attorney”s Office,” Hopkins said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
