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Show Volume III, Issue I THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 13 November 1, 2000 Attorney General Duties : "The Attorney General shall be the legal adviser of the state officers, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, and shall perform such other duties as provided by law." (Utah Constitution) Major Statutory Duties: The Attorney General serves as counsel in all cases in which the state or its officers are a party, provides legal services for state agencies, including the Constitutional Defense Council, and, upon request, provides legal opinions for state agencies, state officers and the Legislature. The Attorney General exercises supervisory powers over the district and county attorneys of the state; has the power to institute proceedings against corporations acting illegally or contrary to the public interest; and administers the Children's Justice Center program. Questions Posed to All Candidates for Attorney General 1. Qualifications. What qualifications and experience do you have that would make you an effective attorney general? 2. Responsibilities. The attorney general's office is the legal consultant for the state in many diverse and often technically difficult areas. How would you allocate limited funds between serving the legal needs of state agencies and the high profile and controversial legal battles which often require hiring expensive outside counsel? 3. Goals. What will be your law enforcement priorities? W. Andrew McCullough Libertarian P.O. Box 651147, SLC UT 84165 Tel: 801/222-9635 Fax: 801/222-9128 E-mail: wandrew@timpanogas.com Occupation: Attorney Education: B.S., BYU 1970; J.D. Law Degree, University of Utah, 1973 Prior Experience: ACLU Board of Directors; Chairman, Utah County Council on Drug Abuse Rehabilitation (The Gathering Place); Young Republican State Treasurer. Previously listed in Outstanding Young Men of America and Reed M. Richards Democrat PO Box 965, SLC, UT 84110 Tel: 801/593-8464 Fax: 801/393-5650 E-Mail: richardsforag@aol.com Web: www.RichardsForAG.com Occupation: Chief Deputy Attorney General Education: J.D.(law), M.B.A., B.S., Accounting - University of Utah Prior Elected Office: Weber County Attorney (1986 - 1993) Professional Experience: Current Chief Deputy Attorney General, two term county attorney, 12 years private legal practice, tax accountant/attorney for Arthur Anderson & Co., adjunct professor Weber State University Criminal Justice Department, past president of National Mark Shurtleff Republican PO Box 900884, Sandy UT 84090 Tel: #: 840-9020 E-mail: shurtleff4AG @aol.com Web: www.markshurtleff.com Occupation: attorney, Salt Lake County Commissioner Education: Brighton High School; Brigham Young University, B.S.; Univ of Utah School of Law, JD; Officer Indoctrination School / Naval Justice School; San Diego School of Law. Prior Community Experience/Elective Office Held: Salt Lake County Commissioner, 1999-present; Boy Scout Leader, nearly 20 years as Scoutmaster: Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy “Who’s Who in American Law.” 1. Qualifications: I am an experienced trial lawyer in Utah since 1973. My practice concentrates on individual rights, including those guaranteed by the First and Fourth Amendments. The First Amendment relates to protecting freedoms of expression; the Fourth Amendment relates to the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. I am the most qualified candidate to protect individual rights. rights. With these goals in mind, the Attorney General can conserve "limited funds", and leave a surplus. 3. Goals: Law enforcement can be effective without violating individual rights. The Attorney General should take the lead in educating law enforcement and other State agencies to deal fairly with citizens. The rights of citizens should be paramount. My goal is to have a more free society. 2. Responsibilities: The Attorney General represents not only State agencies, but the common good. The State should concede legal points which may inconvenience State agencies but will advance individual Organization of Children’s Justice Centers, Chairman-State Council on Victims of Crime, Chairman-Utah Law Enforcement Strategic Planning Committee; Board of Directors Statewide Association of Prosecutors; Prosecution Council member, ten year POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Council member, established Utah’s first Children’s Justice Center. 1. Qualifications: As Chief Deputy Attorney General, I have led and administered the office’s daily operation - 175 attorneys, hundreds of support staff and $25,000,000 budget. I have an excellent working relationship with law enforcement and elected officials. As elected county attorney, I personally prosecuted hundreds of serious criminal violations, including capital homicides. 2. Responsibilities: Providing legal advice to state agencies and prosecuting criminal violations are core functions of the office. I have Instructor; Corrections Training Academy Instructor (Fred House Academy); Utah Correctional Association presenter; Comprehensive Emergency Management Seminar presenter; At-risk youth mentor; Secondary school anti-drug lecturer Small claims court judge, protem, Third District Court; Little League, basketball and soccer coach. 1. Qualifications: Solid legal experience and proven leadership. As assistant Attorney General, I was section chief over Corrections, supervising other attorneys. I was a Naval JAG officer, prosecutor and Scoutmaster. As Salt Lake County Commissioner I manage a staff of thousands, understand local issues and balance a half-billion dollar budget. 2. Responsibilities: With proper leadership, extensive prosecution experience and have provided legal advice to governmental agencies for over 15 years. I know from experience that outside attorneys are generally not required to meet the state’s legal needs. 3. Goals. (1)Continue our excellent working relationship with law enforcement; (2) Safeguard Utah’s families - focusing on fraud, violence, Internet crimes, youth tobacco use, drug abuse; (3) Aggressively prosecute criminals and protect the rights of crime victims; (4) Develop prevention programs as critical issues arise; (5) Establish youth courts in all communities. direction and professionalism, the office's 175 staff attorneys can adequately serve the state's legal needs. Outside counsel only becomes necessary when a conflict of interest or need for specialization is present. 3. Goals: While some crime rates have improved, Utahns don't feel safe. I will fight crime across the board. My priorities include establishing a working relationship with local law enforcement, emphasizing innovative and cost-effective solutions (drug courts, parole and rehabilitation programs) and battling larceny, rape and methamphetamine labs. |