Moderator: Welcome to our chat with Democrat Charles Branson. We’ve received several questions already, but we can continue to take them through this chat. We’ll get started right away.

CB, Lawrence: It is my understanding that the majority of crimes committed in the city of Eudora are actually tried by the Douglas County DA’s office. What’s the most serious crime you’ve ever prosecuted in Eudora as City Prosecutor?

Charles Branson responds to questions from readers.

Charles Branson: The jurisdiction of the City of Eudora is limited to traffic and misdemeanor cases. Felony cases are required to be filed in District Court. The majority of crimes that are committed in Eudora are typically tried in Eudora because the crimes are typically of a less serious nature. The most serious crime in Eudora prosecuted by me is probably battery.

Elaine/ Lawrence: Mr. Branson, after eight years of practice in defense, please state why you want to shift to prosecution. Also, in making such a change please outline what makes you qualified to lead the prosecutors office without prosecutorial or administrative experience. Thanks.

Charles Branson: I have had a successful litigation practice in Lawrence including not only criminal defense but also civil litigation. I became concerned that over the last eight years the budget in the District Attorney’s office has increased over 46%. During that eight years the felony case filings have decreased. I decided to seek this office because I felt that the job could be done better than it is currently being done. I feel Douglas County needs a District Attorney that is willing to expand the services of the District Attorney’s office to protect all the citizens of Lawrence from crime and consumer fraud. I have handled the prosecution of hundreds of municipal court cases and I have successful administered a business with employees over the last eight years.

Jack Lawrence, Ks: You have stated that if elected you will form a Consumer Protection Unit to handle some of the civil issues that face Douglas County residents. Isn’t it true that the Attorney General’s Office has a department consisting of six attorneys, one a Lawrence resident, to handle those types of cases? Wouldn’t it be more effective to direct your efforts at prosecuting criminal cases which is your main duty as a District Attorney?

Charles Branson: The obligation of the District Attorney is to enforce all the laws of the State of Kansas, including consumer protection. The Attorney General’s office does handle consumer protection cases on a state wide basis. There is no office in Douglas County that handles consumer protection. I do not believe that we can continue to stand by and have an office that only does part of its job. Consumers should be able to get help locally without being told to call Topeka. The Attorney General’s office is faced with scarce resources like any other business. Six people can not handle everything that happens in the State. We should expect service from our District Attorney that is similar to other counties our size such as Sedgwick, Johnson and Wyandotte. These counties help consumers.

Mike C: How do you feel about the death penalty?

Charles Branson: The death penalty is part of our state law. It has to been considered by a prosecutor in the appropriate cases.

Irene, Lawrence: What would your priorities be for improving the handling of Child In Need of Care cases?

Charles Branson: The District Attorney’s office must work closely with all agencies involved in CINC cases. First, I would work with these agencies to try and decrease the amount of time from the report to the filing of the case. Second, I would work to make sure that community resources are coordinated to get the most effective response.

Sarah, Lawrence: Mr. Branson, what is your position on plea-bargaining? Do you feel that it is more important to secure a conviction on the original charged offense, or do believe it is more important to secure any conviction, even if it is a lesser offense?

Charles Branson: Plea bargaining is a necessary part of the court system. However, I believe that it is over used in Douglas County. During the last few years only 1.8% of the cases in District Court went to trial compared to 5% in Johnson County and 7.5% in Sedgwick county. I believe the crime should be charged accurately. If the crime is charged accurately you should be able to obtain a conviction.

Charles Branson Expense Report Challenger questions D.A.’s court record Election Special 2004: Douglas County District Attorney race Meet the Candidates: Douglas County District Attorney: Charles Branson and Christine Kenney, part 1 Meet the Candidates: Douglas County District Attorney: Charles Branson and Christine Kenney, part 2 Meet the Candidates: Douglas County District Attorney: Charles Branson and Christine Kenney, part 3 Meet the Candidates: Douglas County District Attorney: Charles Branson and Christine Kenney, part 4 Meet the Candidates: Douglas County District Attorney: Charles Branson and Christine Kenney, part 5 Meet the Candidates: Douglas County District Attorney: Charles Branson and Christine Kenney, part 6

CB, Lawrence: In today’s Journal-World, you claim that in the past eight years, you’ve handled more jury trials as a defense attorney than current DA Christine Kenney has prosecuted. I’m curious exactly how many jury trials you have tried in the past 8 years? How many have you won?

Charles Branson: I believe I stated that I have tried more jury trials in the last eight years than my opponent. I have tried cases ranging from attempted first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping to misdemeanor DUI’s . I have handled from start to finish over 200 felonies and over 200 misdemeanors as a defense attorney. I do not have an exact number of criminal jury trials in front of me for the last eight and half years. I have won complete acquittals as a defense attorney on a few cases and partial acquittals on most cases.

JT, Lawrence: I have looked into your campaign and learned that some of your supporters are also people who support the legalization of marijuana. As a parent in this community I am concerned with drug use. What is your stance on the legalization of drugs.

Charles Branson: I have a wide range of supporters from all over the community. I do not support the legalization of drugs. I do support rehabilitation efforts for drug offenders and especially the recent changes in the law (Senate Bill 123) focusing on drug treatment for non-violent offenders. I believe prosecution should be prioritzed to focus on violent crimes first.

Irene, Lawrence: How will you ensure that hate crimes are appropriately charged and prosecuted?

Charles Branson: I am open to working with community groups and law enforcement to identify the needs of the community and how to effectively prosecute hate crimes. I will work with law enforcement to identify those crimes that have been committed because of someone’s race, religion, or sexual orientation and prosecute those responsible appropriately. Prosecution of these types of crimes must be a community effort.

Lawrence: If you are elected as DA, would you increase the number of assistant DA’s who handle child in need of care cases, or do you feel one assistant can successfully handle this case load?

Charles Branson: I would have to first evaluate the number of cases being currently handled by the CINC attorney and compare that with the case loads of others in the office. If in fact, that case load is higher or the number of cases being reviewed is more, then I would have to consider assigning additional staff to child in need of care cases. As I previously stated in an answer to another question I believe that reducing the time from report to filing is extremely important in resolving these cases.

Rhonda, Baldwin: How do you stand on the removal of Judge Martin?

Charles Branson: I have a personal opinion about whether or not Judge Martin will be retained and will express that in November. I will say that I believe that all the judges in Douglas County are well qualified individuals appointed by the governor with great care. The performance of a particular judge should be judged by the public as a whole.

Lance: You have vowed to be a “hands on DA” but you cant do it alone. Please name some of your staff if elected and their prosecuting experience.

Charles Branson: I can not name particular staff. I will review the staff that is currently in place and if they wish to work under my ideas and guidance they may be welcome to stay.

JT, Lawrence: Follow-up question………………….

Don’t you think that drugs are a common link to most violent crimes, as per national statistics? The police seem to think so, and if you win, you will be working hand in hand with them.

Charles Branson: I think that substance abuse can be and are a part of the link to most violent crimes along with domestic issues and socio-economic issues. I support coordinated law enforcement efforts to stop violent crimes.

Eudora: What would you do to save the office money and cut back the budget expenditures? Would you cut back on staff? Would you consider reducing the salary of the DA ($105,000) or any of the assistants?

Charles Branson: I believe that salary of the District Attorney is more than adequate. That salary is set by the state. I would first focus on making the staff as efficient as possible and controlling the out of control budget increases that office has experienced in the last eight years. I think the current staff numbers are more than enough to handle the case load of Douglas County and create a consumer protection division. I am most interested in holding the line on the budget.

Moderator: This will have to be our last question.

Billie.Lawrence: What steps will you take to ensure that domestic violence rates are lowered and that and that less restraining orders are violated since police are unable to do anything unless there is physical violence or they are eyewitness to a violation of restraining order?

Charles Branson: There must be a community response to domestic violence. I will make sure that the DA’s office works closely with service providers to educate the victims of domestic violence and get them the help that they need. To often victims of domestic violence are placed in the court system without adequate support services. They are fearful of the system. Currently, victims are forced to testify when they do not want to and if they fail to show up at court the DA’s office has them arrested. Victims need help. Community services and education are the only sure ways to decrease instance of domestic violence.

Moderator: Thanks to everyone for participating in today’s chat. And thanks to Charles Branson for taking so much of his time to take part in the chat.

Charles Branson: Thank you for the opportunity to participate in today’s discussion. I wish we had time to respond to all the questions. I will be happy to answer people’s questions and can be contacted through my website at http://www.bransonforda.com.