County attorney seeks grant to hire special prosecutor

Monday, Jul 21, 2008 - 10:14:07 am CDT

Daily Sun staff

The Gage County Attorney’s Office has applied for a grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety seeking three years of financial support to allow the office to hire an additional attorney to focus on prosecuting alcohol-related crimes.

“Our office has been very aggressive in prosecuting alcohol-related offenses,” County Attorney Randall Ritnour said.

“If I’m presented with a case, I’m going to prosecute it as long as it meets statutory criteria. The issue is community safety.”

The primary focus of the proposed special prosecutor for alcohol-related crimes position would be prosecution of driving under the influence, minor in possession, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and procuring alcohol for a minor.

According to county statistics, the number of alcohol-related offenses prosecuted in the county attorney’s office has increased sharply since Ritnour took office in January 2007.

The number of DUI prosecutions doubled from 91 in 2006 to 182 in 2007. As of this month, 120 DUI cases have been filed in Gage County for 2008, while the county is on track to have a total of 240-250 DUI cases this year.

The office also prosecuted 135 minor in possession cases in 2007.

The number of DUI arrests throughout the county also doubled from 2006 to 2007, from 86 to 170.

In addition, the number of Gage County Communications Center DUI calls for service increased from 139 in 2006 to 186 in 2007, while the number of alcohol-related crashes increased from 10 in 2006 to 19 in 2007, alcohol-related fatalities increased from one in 2006 to two in 2007 and injuries from alcohol-related crashes increased from 18 in 2006 to 28 in 2007.

Ritnour said in addition to the increased number of alcohol-related cases, the number of felony cases his office handles has tripled.

“This would allow one person to specialize in alcohol-related offenses and allow the rest of our staff to spend most of their time on other cases,” he said.

In addition, funding from the grant would support Drug Recognition Evaluation training for the special prosecutor and at least two Gage County law officers, a specialization that no one in the county currently holds.

Ritnour said this would aid in the detection, arrest and prosecution of drug-impaired driving cases. Because no one in Gage County has that certification, law enforcement officers currently have to request a DRE officer from Lancaster County to assist if they stop a driver who they suspect is driving under the influence of drugs instead of alcohol.

The total cost of the project is $46,500, with $2,500 provided through in-kind arrangements with the Gage County MAPS Coalition and the remainder from the highway safety office.

For the first year of the grant, funding would come completely from the state and in-kind services, while the county would be required to pay $10,750 for the second year, $21,500 for the third year and $43,000 for the fourth year and beyond.

Ritnour said he should know if his office has been awarded the grant by the end of the month.

The Gage County Board of Supervisors is expected to review the grant possibility in the coming weeks as the board determines the budget for the coming fiscal year.

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Concerned Citizen

Jul 21, 2008 12:05 PM

You would think Rittenour would have time to do this himself since he has the A.G. prosecute all his other cases. The old C.A.'s were capable of handling their own proscecutions. Keep that Change in mind at the next election folks...

GBR

Jul 21, 2008 1:53 PM

The previous CA plea bargained with every DUI, MIP case. Ritnour prosecutes and does the job he was elected to do. Back when I was running around the town if you got picked up it was no big deal because you would plea bargain and get a minimal fine, if that! Now Ritnour is doing his job and enforcing the law, $500 fine for MIPs, seems like he is doing his JOB!

The statistics above show the facts, his office is utilizing more time on alcohol related cases rather than assaults, missing persons, thefts, etc. Why attack a man when the facts show it, Gage County needs an attorney that will focus on the alcohol related offenses so his office can focus on other cases.

Look at the facts, he is asking for help where he needs it. His request is valid and logical, and he is going after a grant rather than using the entire $45k from John Q Public. Keep that in mind at the next election folks!

Think about it

Jul 21, 2008 1:53 PM

Why would you not be in support of this? If this helps keep your community safer it makes total sense. Good job gage County Attorneys office!

another concerned citizen

Jul 21, 2008 3:07 PM

I commend the CA and his staff for going after this; what a great opportunity to really make an impact. The only reason the AG's office is helping their office on prosecutions is because there are some really BIG cases. Our law enforcement guys are out there doing a fantastic job, which leads to the need for the prosecutors to step it up a notch. The AG's office involvement, and the opportunities like this grant, are great examples of that next notch. Great job Randy, and keep it up!

husker

Jul 21, 2008 3:07 PM

all the former county attorney ever did was plea bargain. He never prosecuted much of anything .At least Mr. Rittenour is attempting to get cases prosecuted in stead of just dismissing them.

husker

Jul 21, 2008 3:13 PM

it seemed to me that most of the time the former county attorney plea bargained everyting. very little ever got prosecuted.

Keep up the Good Job

Jul 21, 2008 3:28 PM

I believe that Ritnour and his office have been doing a great job. I hope that you do receive the funding for this new position to help improve the safety of Gage County. Keep up the good work!

look at the numbers

Jul 21, 2008 3:38 PM

Those #'s should all send a chill up our collective spine -- DUI cases are growing by leaps and bounds, arrests for drinking and driving are increasing each year ... these are things that have in the past and certainly will again kill or injur innocent people, family, friends, or possibly you and I. Prosecute as many as you can, Mr. Ritenour - PLEASE! I know I'd personally like to live a while longer with these types of crimes decreasing rather than growing.

i am thinking twice

Jul 21, 2008 4:42 PM

before Mr. Ritnour took office I did not think twice before going out for a drink and driving home. Knowing I would only get a slap on the hand I decided to take my chances. NOW I think 3 times and don't drink unless there is a DD to drive.

Wake Up

Jul 21, 2008 7:22 PM

Wake up supervisors! Why are you letting Ritnour fool you. Call the supervisors from Johnson County. They are glad they don't have him and we do. He doesn't prosecute any important cases. Smith did very little and this guy is going to break Gage County.

to running a daycare

Jul 21, 2008 7:29 PM

By the way, why doesn't Ritnour live in Gage County? I believe his wife lives in Lincoln. Having a Beatrice address for a little used apartment doesn't really mean he lives here, for all practical purposes.

Prepared

Jul 21, 2008 7:32 PM

Ritnour cost Gage County Taxpayers about $17,000 for the school board lawsuit with Tri County because he was not prepared for the court hearing. Just ask those that were in the courtromm that day

Confused

Jul 21, 2008 7:35 PM

Why is Ritnour the only one asnwering questions on the cases of murder, missing people, etc...? Since when did he start doing the sheriff's job? Do we still have a sheriff or has the county combined those two positions? We don't need both acting as sheriff

Jul 21, 2008 11:28 PM

Thank goodness some people realize the meaning of paying for your unlawfulness!!!Finally get a person that cares about his county and law enforcement trying to do what they all get paid to do!!!Keep up the good work.

Thank the Officers too

Jul 21, 2008 11:52 PM

Remember also there has been new Sheriff elected too. The County Attorney prosecutes them, but the law enforcement officers are the ones out there making the arrests so if there are more arrests being made either people are drinking more or the officers out in the trenches are going after them harder (which may be in part to the change in County Attorneys too though as if you continually make arrests that are plea bargained down to nothing you're not nearly as motivated to make those arrests).

Ritnour proves his worth

Jul 22, 2008 8:10 AM

Mr. Ritnour is again showing many other public servants how to do the job right in our county. The board should heartily support an office which is looking at the best for Gage County!!

another citizen

Jul 22, 2008 10:42 AM

I for one am very excited to hear about our County getting tough on criminals. Does it cost us more money? Sure it does. But I will be more than happy to pay more taxes to put these dead beats off the street. Go get'em Mr. Ritnour!

sad citizen

Jul 22, 2008 10:47 AM

RR may be 'doing his job' in prosecuting DUI/MIPs, but He doesn't prosecute any other important cases. He Continues many hearings, isn't prepared for the ones he does go to and wheels and deals without consulting the victim. There are lots of things the voters should keep in mind next time around...

to GBR

Jul 22, 2008 5:48 PM

In your comment, you mentioned the $500 fine for MIP's. I just have one question, why is it that not all MIP's are fined the $500? And this I know for a fact! Does it make a difference who you are? And I must also say that both of these were only listed as MIP's and no other charges. Can someone please clear this up for me?

GBR

Jul 23, 2008 10:56 AM

I errored in my "fact". First time offenders (in Nebraska or Gage County) get a $250 fine and possible probation. 2nd time offenders are $500 and probation. Not sure what 3rd timers are, but they would sentence you to some jail time.

Try going to Buffalo County, I believe, you get MIP there and it's mandatory weekend in jail.

Try Phoenix, Az for DUI - 1st time offenders get license revoked for 90 days, minimum $1,000 fine. 2nd time around is 2-3x worse.

But to answer your question, I believe it is $250 for first time, $500 for second and the rest of the punishment depends on your criminal history.

I LOVE RITNOUR

Jul 23, 2008 2:43 PM

Ritnour and his staff have single-handedly made Gage County a better place to live, work, and play.

Remember one thing, he is applying for a grant that would pay for more help...GREAT!

However, As a taxpayer I have NO problem paying my taxes knowing my tax paying money is being spent to prosecute theives, robbers, burglars, drunks, etc.

For those of you who do not think the CA office prosecutes "important" cases...You need to do your homework!

Keep up the great work Randy and staff, and spend all my tax money that you want!

Steve Hansen

Jul 23, 2008 3:53 PM

Considering a different account, my son was almost beat to deat about 4 years ago which gave him a brain tumor that had to be removed and left him mentaly retarted. The sheriff's office was slow, the said they would give the FBI all the info they had, I called the FBI and the agent I spoke to said this was a case they would love to get involved in but had to have your office request there assistance. I called your office, and the County Atty at that time would not even talk to me. So much for equal laws for every one.

Watchdog

Jul 23, 2008 7:22 PM

To: I Love Ritnour-I hope the supervisors don't spend everyone's tax money on Mr. Ritnour. I hope you donate above and beyond for your share. Ritnour has not "single handedly" done anything. He is not the second coming of Kojak! Gage County residents are just now finding out what just about everyone in Johnson County already knows about him. Why do you think someone from another area would come to our couinty and run for this office? Oh, that's right, he doesn't really live here. Neither does his secretary. She lives in Lancaster County. Wake up Supervisors!

Jul 23, 2008 7:24 PM

Sure looks like Ritnouir has his few friends blogging away! I wonder how many would sign their real names?

Important cases are being prosecuted

Jul 24, 2008 12:09 AM

WAKE UP AND SAD CITIZEN ---- Apparantly both of you failed to read today's Gage County District Court convictions (I would see the following as IMPORTANT cases being prosecuted.) possession of controlled substance, terroristic threats, criminal mischief, driving under suspension, second-degree assault not to mention arraignments on first-degree sexual assault of a child, third-degree domestic assault, and finally sex offender registry act violation all in district court, not to mention the numerous county court violations.

Finally thank you Mr. Ritnour for helping to keep my family safe, we are truly blessed to have you working for us.

doesnt work like it should

Jul 24, 2008 12:59 AM

the system does not work like it should, and it does depend on who you are, as to what penalty you get. i know this for fact, as i know people that have been in trouble.
there is a standard that needs to be followed, that is not followed. it is all about money. if you have money, do what you want. if you do not, then you better not get in trouble or the book will be thrown at you!

Wrong Job

Jul 24, 2008 2:34 PM

What future job is Ritnour trying to audition for? I would hope anything at a level higher than, i don't know what(trying to keep it clean but dogcatcher comes to mind) would be a disservice to whoever gets stuck paying his wages. Too bad all taxpayers can't watch him in court. Lawyers from near and far make Ritnour look very incapable of doing his job. Maybe that's why he isn't doing the case work himself. I bet if the public defenders, the judges and others could say so, their opinion of our county attorney's office would surprise most everybody that doesn't know what's been going on. I read others say he doesn't really live in Gage County. I think the law requires him to. Maybe a complaint needs to be made to the Nebraska Attorney General's Office. What about it County Supervisors?

Get Real

Jul 24, 2008 2:35 PM

Ritnour is the new old sheriff and the current sheriff is the same deputy sheriff he was before the last election

I Remember

Jul 24, 2008 2:43 PM

Ritnouir's campaign ads didn't mention that he would spend thousands of dollars more to prosecute the crooks in our county. If he wasn't smart enough to investigate and know what he was getting into when he ran for the office, he probably shouldn't be the guy running that office. I guess the deputy attorney's and the boys from the State Attorney General's Office are the ones running it anyway. Oh well, a few million here and a few million there and pretty soon your talking about real money. Here's a new idea for the county board---Just Say No!!!

Bon Voyage Ritnour

Jul 24, 2008 3:22 PM

At least Dick Smith prosecuted and WON his own murder trials and other major crime trials. Did Smith plea bargain too much? Yes, but Ritnour is so far past common sense, not a lawyer in our town can even do their job because of him. He can say what he wants, but not every lawyer can be wrong in their assessment of his office.

Incapable

Jul 24, 2008 3:25 PM

The law can be enforced and the criminals locked up without bankrupting Gage County. The taxpayers need to make sure the county attorney and sheriff don't pull the wool over our eyes, again. Ritnour simply is not the person who can do it. Shut off the money facet for both county attorney and sheriff before it turns into a river.

This is Serious

Jul 24, 2008 3:28 PM

The County Attorney's office is too powerful of a position for someone of Mr. Ritnour's ethics and morals. Retaliation to those who he thinks cross him and his dirty tricks to other lawyers and people he prosecutes make him a danger to our law enforcement community. Jerry Shelton would have been a great CA, with ethical and moral behaviors as a bonus

comparison

Jul 25, 2008 9:26 AM

How many years of this new attorney's salary could be paid for the cost of that shiny new roof over their head?

pck

Jul 25, 2008 11:29 AM

As much as I may agree with not enough law enforcement in this town....at least we don't have to put up with gang bangers.

observer

Jul 25, 2008 1:47 PM

Wow! Where were all you anti-Ritnour voters when the election took place? From what I understand, Ritnour pretty much beat Smith by a landslide so he must have done something very right and Smith did something very wrong in the process. Or is it that maybe those who don't seem to like anything about the way things are now being run couldn't be pleased when Smith was CA either?

County is better off

Jul 25, 2008 2:57 PM

I think Mr Ritnour is doing a good job. Not perfect, but good. I feel he has been sending a message to criminals that they are going to get prosecuted. Prosecutions cost money. Here's an idea, lets hold the criminals and law breakers accountable for costing us all more tax dollars. I know Dick Smith personally and I like him as a man and as a CA when he was in office. Hey, the voters spoke, and Mr. Ritnour is now in office. It is easy to throw slings and arrows from the sidelines. How many people have offered solutions? We are almost 2 years into a new CA and Sheriff, and things have changed. Sure they have some things to learn. I think things are pretty good...not perfect, but good.

TriCounty Tax Issue

Jul 26, 2008 8:36 AM

Ritnour may not have been well prepared, but he did not cost the tax payers in the TriCounty tax issue! The problem stemmed from improper procedures that were used years ago. The attonreys involved back then, and the Court House staff who improperly collected and distributed the taxes for years, and then when questioned wouldn't look into the matter further (their response was just "that's how it's always been" and they didn't want to investigate further) are who's to blame. Maybe it would be a good idea to do an audit every now and then? I personally feel sorry for TriCounty because they settled for much less than was actually owed to them.

Prepared
Jul 21, 2008 7:32 PM
Ritnour cost Gage County Taxpayers about $17,000 for the school board lawsuit with Tri County because he was not prepared for the court hearing. Just ask those that were in the courtromm that day

Why not tax alcohol

Jul 26, 2008 8:43 AM

If alcohol is causing such a problem within our city then why don't we levy a tax on alcohol to help pay for the mess it creates?

Jul 27, 2008 4:05 AM

To "Bon Viogue Ritonour and Incapable" has the Misenbach murder been solved?? No!!!

MIMI

Jul 28, 2008 9:15 AM

When I first heard Ritnour did not live in Beatrice, I thought that is not good, but after more thought, it probably is good. By not living here he doesn't have the personal friend and family connections that could put him in a position to consider favortism.

daniel

Oct 8, 2008 8:31 AM

I think that the penalty related to this offense is not good enough to create awareness in the people...so I think it should be moderate enough to create awareness.

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daniel

[url="http://www.legalx.net"]DUI[/url]

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