Pubdate: Thu, 27 Apr 2006
Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen (IA)
Copyright: 2006 Iowa City Press-Citizen
Contact:  http://www.press-citizen.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1330
Author: Mike McWilliams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DEM CANDIDATES TOUT QUALIFICATIONS COUNTY ATTORNEY NOMINEES MEET AT FORUM

The two Democratic candidates vying to become the next Johnson County 
attorney are interested in diversion programs for non-violent 
offenders. Both want to bring change to the office, and both support 
legalizing marijuana for medicinal use.

However, Janet Lyness and Nick Maybanks differ when it comes to why 
they think voters should choose them in the June 6 primary election. 
The two squared off at a candidate forum Wednesday at the Iowa City 
Public Library.

Lyness, who has worked as an assistant Johnson County attorney for 16 
years, touts her experience and "commitment to the community."

"That commitment is something I would bring to the office of county 
attorney," Lyness said. "I do see things that we can do better, and 
I'm excited because I can make those changes."

Maybanks, of Coralville, said that although he is young, he is 
experienced. Maybanks, 30, has worked as a Linn County prosecutor for 
six years and said real change comes from those who work "in the trenches."

"Yes, I'm young," Maybanks said. "But I'm the best person to bring 
overdue changes to the system."

Several questions at the forum focused on marijuana and alcohol 
prosecution. Both candidates said they would consider a 
cite-and-release policy for those caught with a small amount of marijuana.

"It's something worth looking at," Lyness said. "If it's something 
we're going to do in Iowa, we need to look at what's going on 
nationally as well."

On alcohol, Maybanks said instead of simply fining an underage person 
for alcohol possession, the charge should be cleared from the record 
if he or she stays out of trouble for six months and performs 
community service.

Alcohol education programs for University of Iowa students also 
should be highlighted, Maybanks said.

"What we need to do is educate people in this community," he said. 
"We need to educate them from the get go when they get here."

On the law forbidding some sex offenders from living within 2,000 
feet of a school or daycare center, Lyness said she would work to 
repeal that law to focus more on classification of sex offenders.

"I don't think it's a good law," Lyness said. "I think it's 
counterproductive. ... I think it does nothing other than hurt people."

Maybanks said each sex offender case should be analyzed because each 
one is different.

"We have to pay individual attention to each of those cases," he said.

Whoever wins the June 6 primary would be the Democratic candidate for 
county attorney in the Nov. 7 general election.

The next county attorney will replace J. Patrick White, who has held 
the post for 23 years. White's term ends in December.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman