Hamner
At the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office, there’s a new focus on talent attraction and training.
Recently, deputy prosecutors have received their second installment of training, with more come. Prosecutor Lance Hamner is working to carry out a campaign promise to provide “meaningful, intensive trial advocacy training,” he said in a media release detailing recent office activities.
“My vision to improve the prosecutor’s office consists of multiple steps. The first is changing the philosophy to protection of our citizens rather than mechanically enforcing statutes. The second is attracting and hiring the best of the best. The third is to mentor and to teach our new people to be even better,” Hamner said. “I loved the quote from the first ‘Top Gun’ movie when Tom Skerritt’s character said, ‘You’re the best of the best. The elite. We’ll make you better.’”
Prosecuting attorneys are no different than the many professionals such as doctors, teachers, and police officers who complete ongoing training. That’s where the “gold standard training,” comes in, he said.
“My goal is to find these rock-star instructors and bring them right down here for our people,” Hamner said. “And to do it at little or no cost to our taxpayers. The more money we can save for our citizens, the better we’re doing our job.”
Hamner has accomplished this by conducting training classes for free for other prosecutors or legal experts, in exchange for them presenting in Johnson County. For example, in January, Hamner presented a two-hour program on constitutional criminal procedure for another county and to his office.
In February, the team heard from Boone County Prosecutor TK Morris, who presented his “gold standard” program on trial preparation strategies.
“The reason we need the best courtroom advocates possible is that winning in court is the only way put dangerous criminals in prison and keep them out of our neighborhoods,” Hamner said.
Daviess County Prosecutor Dan Murrie will present to Hamner’s office this month.
In April, Johnson County Deputy Prosecutor Stephanie Caraway, a nationally recognized expert, will present on criminal law and immigration.
The training will be monthly or every other month and prosecutors from neighboring counties will be invited to attend.
“I was serious when I said this is going to be the best prosecutor’s office in the state—again,” Hamner said. “We have a plan and we’re implementing it.”
The goal is to make sure the prosecutor’s office is ready to take on any case that is put in front of them.
“We heard a talk by Marion County FOP President Rick Snyder who warned us that unless we do something serious now, Marion County crime is going to continue leaching into our county. And we’re not going to be as safe as we’ve grown accustomed,” Hamner said. “We are equipping our prosecutor’s office to meet this challenge head-on.”
Another strategy to improve the office is to attract top talent. For example, a distinguished Marion County judge resigned the bench to join the team along with a Shelby County prosecutor who obtained a 650-year prison term for a serial rapist, he said.
“We’re the only prosecutor’s office in the state to have attracted a lawyer from private practice who was board certified in criminal law,” Hamner said. “We had three lawyers leave successful trial practices and take substantial pay cuts to come on board. They all want to seek justice for the citizens of Johnson County.”
