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Innovations
- The Sensitive Crimes Task Force:
Mark is part of a team that initiated a county-wide effort to more effectively and
efficiently prosecute crimes of sexual assault and child abuse. He
helped develop protocols utilized by hospitals, law enforcement
agencies, Human Services, the Sexual Assault Resource Center and the District Attorney's Office.
- Domestic violence cases: The District Attorneys Office
streamlined the prosecution of domestic violence cases by
coordinating efforts between law enforcement, the Department of
Corrections, the Domestic Violence Center, and other agencies. This
effort has resulted in more effective service and protection for
victims of domestic violence. Where rehabilitation is appropriate, Mark
has spearheaded efforts to address underlying substance abuse issues
with effective and creative sentencing and this deter the likelihood of
repeat offenses.
- Coordinated Response to Gangs:
Mark is actively involved with law enforcement to reduce gang
violence and criminal activity. He has designated an assistant district
attorney to focus on the prosecution of gang related offenses.
- Settlement Conferences: The Settlement Conference program was developed in the District Attorney's
Office. This program has reduced the number of court appearances and
trials. Settlement Conferences have
also resulted in significant savings by eliminating the production
of unnecessary
paper work by staff and reducing overtime payments for court
appearances by law
enforcement. Officers now have more time to spend with their families
on days off rather than spending these days in court. Manitowoc County meets Wisconsin Supreme
Court Standards in the prosecution and resolution of misdemeanor and
traffic cases.
- Vertical Prosecution Plus: A
program has been developed in the District Attorney's Office where the
attorneys are now specialized in
prosecuting certain types of criminal cases from start to finish. This
is beneficial to law enforcement because officer will know which
attorney is
prosecuting the case. This format for prosecuting cases creates
continuity and a positive relationship between the victim and the
District Attorney's Office. This matter of prosecuting cases
also leads to consistency in sentencing recommendations made to Defense
Attorneys and the Courts.
Notable Prosecutions
- Homicide Conviction against Jose Vega, from a 1994 cold case homicide
- Homicide Conviction against Bradley Genrich
- Homicide Conviction against Akira Salinas Ruiz
- Homicide Conviction against Michael Kowach
- Four Separate OWI homicide convictions
- Conviction against three defendants for hiding a corpse
- Drunk Driving and Operating After Revocation convictions at the first appearance
- More felonies charged and prosecuted without an increase in staff
Working with the Good Guys
- Conducts
annual in-service presentations for law enforcement officials.
- The District Attorney's Office initiated a program in worthless check
cases that has led to the significant recovery of funds lost in these
matters for merchants.
- Willing to meet with victims after-hours to prosecute the criminals and recover property where possible
- The District Attorney's Office works directly with law enforcement on victim's rights issues
Out and Among the People
- Speaks on the Victim Impact Panel about the wrongs associated with drunk driving
- Member of Manitowoc's Diversity Counsel
- Current Member of the Domestic Violence Center Response Team (DVCRT)
- Board Member of the Manitowoc County Metro Drug Unit
- Monthly guest on the "Be my Guest" Program heard on WOMT radio
- Cooks and Serves "Breakfast on the Farm"
- Celebrates Hmong New Year with the Lakeshore's Hmong population
- Regularly speaks to civic groups
- Active volunteer at church
- Past organizer of Local Hoops Shoot Contest
Awards
- Wisconsin
Association of Homicide Investigators Meritorious Service Award for the
successful prosecution of a 1994 cold case homicide
- Twice nominated for District Attorney of the Year
- The Manitowoc County Metro Drug Unit received the 2007 Chamber of Commerce Cooperation Award: Government to Government
Cutting Red Tape and Saving Tax Dollars
- Cutting overtime and increasing efficiency in the District Attorney's Office
- Reducing bureaucracy in inter-governmental relationships
- Promoting an open door policy with staff, attorneys, law enforcement, and citizens
- Reducing law enforcement costs by expeditiously notifying officers on cancellation of court appearances
- Implementing the statewide PROTECT case management system in the Manitowoc District Attorney's Office
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