Benton County Prosecutor Candidates Tout Experience

BENTONVILLE -- Both candidates for Benton County prosecutor cite their experience as a major factor why voters should elect them.

Nathan Smith, a deputy prosecutor, and Kimberly Weber, a Rogers attorney, are vying for the position. Election day is May 20. Early voting starts Monday.

Smith, 32, believes his experience in the office sets him apart from his opponent. Smith was hired as a deputy prosecutor in 2007. He also was a law clerk and intern for the office. Smith said he's tried drug, shaken-baby and sex crime cases. Smith also said he's been involved in the prosecution of capital murder cases.

He believes his familiarity with the office is another factor in his favor.

"I am the most qualified person in the race," Smith said. "If I wasn't the guy, some of the former elected prosecutors -- Bob Balfe and Van Stone -- wouldn't have endorsed me."

Weber, who works with the Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure and Thompson law firm, believes her experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney gives her a solid background to lead the office. She has spent 14 years as a deputy prosecutor in Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. She also spent time as a federal prosecutor in Springfield, Mo.

Weber, 45, said she announced for the office after she talked with numerous attorneys who were concerned Stone "anointed" Smith as his replacement and was worried Smith lacked the experience to lead the office.

Weber believes her background as a prosecutor and years as defense attorney will help her provide the "needed" leadership over the office. Weber said she feels there needs to be a change in the office.

She said there needs to be consistency in how cases are resolved. She believes it's an issue of fairness, and she questions the disparity in sentences in Benton County compared with ones in other jurisdictions across the state.

"It doesn't seem fair that two people could admit the same crimes in Benton and Pope counties, but the person in Benton County receives a harsher punishment," Weber said. "The disparity of sentences are so great. The office doesn't seem to function with any consistency."

The office has a reputation of being tough on crime and he wants that reputation to continue, Smith said.

Weber said her office would remain tough on crimes against people especially murder, child abuse and residential burglaries.

Smith supports drug court, but believes prosecutors should ultimately decide who's allowed in the court.

"I wish people would take it more," Smith said. "As a deputy prosecutor I've offered drug court in numerous instances where people have turned me down. Drug court is not easy, so some people refuse the offers."

There must be a distinction between addicts and drug dealers, said Smith, who believes drug dealers shouldn't be in drug court.

Weber wants to expand drug court. She also wants identify individuals early on after their arrests to find out whether they are candidates for the court.

"It would save money because people would not have to sit in jail for months," Weber said. "It will also open up beds for the jail."

Weber also wants to help expand veterans court, and she is a supporter in establishing a mental health court. Weber said one her clients has been impacted positively because of his admission into veterans court.

Smith and Weber said they would continue the office's working relationship with the Children's Advocacy Center. A deputy prosecutor now has an office at the center.

Weber said she has prosecuted child sexual abuse cases and is aware of the pressure because they are tough cases to handle.

"I still remember every single one of the victims with the cases that I prosecuted," Weber said. "It stays with you."

Weber wants to add a second deputy prosecutor at the center. She also wants to seek assistance to continue to help child victims after prosecution ends because victims still deal with issues resulting from the abuse.

Smith said he has the support of local law enforcement and he will continue the close working relationship between the prosecutor's office and local law enforcement agencies.

"I believe in the mission of our prosecutor's office -- to speak up for the victims -- and I feel it's important for our community to be tough on crime," Smith said.

Weber said she had a strong relationship with law enforcement while a prosecutor. She believes, if elected, she could establish a close working relationship with law enforcement.

Smith and Weber both believe in the death penalty. They each said they would seek the punishment in capital murder cases that meet the criteria for the punishment.

Weber said she has 14 years experience as a prosecutor in different counties and with the U.S. Attorney's Office. She enjoys working in private practice, but misses prosecuting cases.

"This may sound trite, but I always wanted to be a prosecutor," Weber said. "That's why I went to school and that is where my heart is."

Smith described himself as a career prosecutor.

"I believe prosecutors are the voices in our community for people and I'm running to make sure we continue to keep our community safe," Smith said.

NW News on 05/02/2014