To the editor:

Over the last 21 years I worked for four elected Lincoln County district attorneys, the last 10 years as office manager.

In criminal justice, the best prosecution model is a prosecutor’s focus on a just outcome. This looks at the actions of the defendant, the loss to the crime victim, and ensuring the safety of our community based on the evidence. A just outcome can be in specialty courts, standing firm on a settlement offer, or not folding at the time of trial.

I have seen Lanee Danforth show this leadership time and again as one of Lincoln County’s deputy district attorneys.

She came to Lincoln County after working in Coos County as a prosecutor then earning a legal master’s degree in gaming. This shows she has the energy to continue to learn as the legal world continues to change through legislative laws, case law, or criminal justice reform.

Another leadership quality Lanee Danforth shows is that she does not shy away from hard conversations. She meets face to face to listen and explain. These hard conversations show a maturity and leadership that is not seen in all that hold positions of power and has nothing to do with years of service or age.

Lanee Danforth is dedicated as well as committed to her responsibility to this community by coming in early or staying late to work on a case, helping other deputies with legal research or processes, and training our local law enforcement on legal issues.

Lanee Danforth was tasked with and volunteered many times to help train newly hired deputy district attorney’s since coming to Lincoln County.

My takeaway from this? Not every attorney processes a case the same and not every attorney is cut out to be a prosecutor. Everyone facing the criminal justice system deserves fairness and equality.

— Jill Wagner, Toledo