For Immediate Release

Nov. 5, 2020

Thank you, Jackson County voters, for advancing me onward to another four years as your Jackson County Prosecutor.

My office has been led for decades by reform-minded prosecutors, beginning with Albert Riederer, who proposed a Combat Sales Tax.  While the rest of the nation focused mainly on punitive initiatives such as mandatory minimums and three strike laws, Mr. Riederer believed in focusing on Prevention and Treatment, along with Prosecution.  Claire McCaskill made us a national leader through establishing one of the first Drug Courts in the country, funded by this tax, the only one of its kind that allowed defendants a diversion from prosecution before they entered a plea.

 I am shaped by those who came before me.  Today, I will lead with data.

 I am pleased to announce the award of a new federal grant, Innovative Prosecution Solutions for Combatting Violent Crime ($340,000 over two years), which we will use to expand our Crime Strategies Unit, enabling it to provide more data and more evidence to lead this County forward.  I pledge today that I will follow where this data leads us, even if that necessitates making tough decisions.  

 I am not in favor of reform for reform's sake, but deeper analysis of our system in Jackson County have highlighted racial inequities, especially in our drug enforcement policies, and public safety concerns regarding violence. We are closely examining these issues and we will make changes to address the inequities and issues revealed by the data analysis.

 I am also shaped by the community who informs me what questions should be asked, what data we must pull, and potential changes that we can instill into our system to ensure more justice for everyone.  The violence our communities have sustained will not be tolerated.  We will fiercely fight for the rights of victims in our communities, especially in our most vulnerable communities.  I refuse to accept the status quo.  I thank you again for your support, and I always welcome your input regarding how we can make our communities stronger.  

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com