O'Boyle empasizes experiences in re-election bid

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After 20 years as Pierce County District Attorney, John O’Boyle thinks he has plenty of on-the-job skills to offer voters in his re-election bid.

"I am running for re-election as district attorney because I believe our county needs a strong and experienced prosecutor as district attorney," he said.

O’Boyle called attention to having prosecuted homicides, as well as crimes of violence against women and children.

He says the district attorney’s office caseload has steadily increased the past two decades, along with the complexity of criminal and juvenile cases.

“The legislature is continually changing the criminal code, and the court decisions in the area of criminal law also significantly impacted law enforcement,” O’Boyle said.

In announcing his re-election bid, O’Boyle said an effective prosecutor must possess a tough mind, but still show compassion; he must have the mindset to deal with deplorable crimes; and have the ability to tell victims and law enforcement when the evidence or circumstances don’t support or warrant a charge.

Compassion is required because “sometimes people do make mistakes and do foolish things,” O’Boyle said. “You have to have a good understanding of human nature to do the job, and you have to be able to work with people, and above all to treat people you prosecute fairly. Those qualities come with experience.

“This is an important race that I hope the voters of this county don’t neglect. The issue is experience vs. non-experience. My opponent has only been admitted to practice law since May 10, 2011, and to my knowledge he has no courtroom experience.”

Sean Froelich, 32, a former River Falls police officer, will run against O’Boyle in the Tuesday, Aug. 14, primary election. Froelich has a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul.

“His experience as a police officer is also limited,” O’Boyle said. “He only worked for the River Falls Police Department for a short period of time, and his stints with the sheriff’s department and Ellsworth department were only part-time.”

“The important position the district attorney has within the criminal justice system in our growing county should not be placed in the hands of someone with no experience practicing criminal law. Victims of crimes don’t need a fresh, inexperienced voice to help them--they need and deserve a voice of experience.”

O’Boyle, the 49-year-old father of two, is a 23-year resident of River Falls.

He earned a bachelor's in business administration from the College of St. Thomas in 1984 and graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 1989.

Tags: crime and courts, news, crime