Rogers: Restoring Public Trust In The Merrimack County Attorney's Office

By Sarah Rogers, NH Journal

Public trust is at the heart of our system of government. In New Hampshire, that trust is affirmed—or withheld—when we hold public officials accountable through local elections rather than appointments.

In 1877, our legislature enshrined in Part II, Article 71 of the New Hampshire Constitution the requirement that the office of county solicitor be elected rather than appointed. In 1958, the office was renamed county attorney, and the person holding it is responsible for prosecuting crimes in the county. As the county’s lead prosecutor, the county attorney oversees an office of prosecutors, also known as assistant county attorneys.

A just and vigilant county attorney should run a tight ship. Of course, this is not always the case. The challenges of public transparency, managing other attorneys, inefficient case management, and communication with police are ever-present. Among these issues, the most glaring is the inconsistent treatment of crime victims. It is an unfortunate fact that the quality and outcome of criminal justice often hinge on which prosecutor is assigned to a case.

Crime victims are not faceless statistics who have suffered tragedy. They are fighters who choose to raise their hands when others do not. They take a stand—often facing harassment and ridicule for doing so—to keep the rest of us safe. That role is crucial to holding the predators in our midst accountable. Without witness testimony, police and prosecutors have little to work with. However, public testimony can be terrifying, and without proper respect and consideration, many decide it is not worth the trouble. When that happens, law enforcement must watch the wolves return to the flock with no convictions and no consequences.

The trouble is that county attorneys’ offices tend to operate more like collections of independent contractors than unified teams. While one assistant county attorney might take the time and care to guide these essential witnesses through the process, another might not. Two similar cases might have wildly different outcomes based on the prosecutors assigned to them. When that work is inconsistent, faith in the system erodes.

As an assistant county attorney, I worked under five different county attorneys in three offices across our state. I chose to treat victims with due respect throughout criminal proceedings, and I watched it pay off. I met with victims early and often, consulting with them and educating them about potential plea agreements and the court process. I made sure they knew that our state and our society were behind them and would not ignore their suffering. I wanted to restore faith in the “system” that so many lament is broken.

A county attorney is a stakeholder in our community. That office sets the tone for law enforcement’s treatment of perpetrators and their victims. It should be held by someone who understands the residents, culture, and needs of our county. It is not a job for advancing political ambition.

I was born and raised in Merrimack County, and I stand beside the fighters in my community who come forward when others stay back. In doing so, I have helped place many wolves behind bars.

On Sept. 8, the voters of Merrimack County have the opportunity to elect a county attorney with the experience, integrity and fortitude to restore public trust in our criminal justice system. With sincerity and in good faith, I am asking for your vote to be the next Merrimack County attorney.

Sarah Rogers is a GOP candidate for Merrimack County Attorney. She wrote this for NHJournal.com.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.