A vocal challenger and an incumbent running for his fourth term are the two candidates running in the May 16 election for Lane County district attorney.
Dan Koenig, a trial lawyer with more that 27 years experience in the courtroom, is the challenger. He said he decided to run because the reputation of justice in Lane County has been tainted by mistakes.
District Attorney Doug Harcleroad said his opponent’s criticism is without merit. He said his work in the community and a 95 percent conviction rate are two reasons he should be re-elected.
Koenig, however, does not hold the conviction rate in the same regard. He said the statistic includes multiple-charge cases in which only one offense resulted in a conviction as well as guilty pleas.
Harcleroad “uses this 95 percent conviction rate that means nothing,” Koenig said, “Ninety percent probably plead guilty.”
Koenig also draws attention to the taping of a conversation between a defendant and a priest in 1995 that resulted in widespread public outcry.
Harcleroad said the incident occurred five years ago and is not relevant to the election.
If elected as district attorney, Koenig said he would restructure the office to specialize lawyers for different crimes but “spread the load” by allowing them to also prosecute different offenses. He also said he would play less of an administrative role spending more time in the courtroom.
Harcleroad said Lane County has benefited from his 15 years of serving as district attorney, and he wants to continue to provide a high rate of conviction.
“Our job is not to let guilty people go free, and we do that,” he said.
Harcleroad is also proud of the community programs he initiated as district attorney, including a treatment center for children who have been physically or sexually abused and the Victim and Survivor Services.
But Harcleroad said despite the success of these two programs, he would like to return to office so he can continue his work in trying to get domestic violence cases moved faster through the system so victims can better cope with the crimes.
“We need to get those cases solved quickly so the healing process can begin sooner,” he said.