Lynn Stoppy Brackin - Republican

Jul 28, 2006, 12:39

1. Career Background: I have been an attorney for sixteen years. I started my legal career in Florida where I attended law school. I interned in the Dade County Public Defender's Office where I handled lower level felony cases from arraignment to trial and quickly discovered that criminal defense was not "my cup of tea". I did find, however, that I enjoyed public service. I have been prosecuting crime in the State of Missouri for the past eight years. I started prosecuting crime in Cass County under Senator Chris Koster, then the Prosecuting Attorney of Cass County. I was originally hired as the county's first full time child support prosecutor and rose to be Chief Assistant Prosecutor for the last two years under Senator Koster. The child support unit achieved three (3) consecutive 100% ratings under my direction in Cass County. I currently am and have been the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Johnson County since April 2005. My duties include prosecuting all levels of offenses, with major emphasis on crimes at the felony level, as well as overseeing the legal and clerical staff. I have successfully prosecuted offenses with punishments ranging from probation to life imprisonment. I also provide legal counsel to the Johnson County Commission as well as other elected officials.

2. Community Activities: I currently am a member of the Johnson County Republican Women's Club. I am also involved in my daughter's Girl Scout activities as well as my son's cub scouting activities.

3. Educational Background: I received a Bachelor of Arts degree, President's Scholar, from Ramapo College in New Jersey in 1986. I received my Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami in Florida in 1989.

4. Electoral History: This is my first time seeking public office.

5. Residence in Johnson County: I have lived in Johnson County since December 1995.

6. What Makes the Community Work? Warrensburg, as well as the entire Johnson County community, is a wonderful blend of personalities and lifestyles. During the past 10 plus years I have been able to attend various events at all ends of the County and am always impressed by the caring nature, generosity and genuineness of the people.

7. What Does the Community Need? Johnson County citizens need to continue to feel safe in their homes and their neighborhoods. We all need to know that our children will be protected and that our own concerns will be addressed.

8. What Can You Do, and How? As the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Johnson County I have already been working hard to address the drug problem in Johnson County and have been successful in the conviction of several drug dealers. As the elected Prosecutor I will continue in this effort by maintaining my close relationship with the law enforcement community of Johnson County and working together to keep Johnson County safe. As the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney I have already enhanced child support collection efforts in the County. As Johnson County Prosecutor I will seek to add additional staff to the Child Support Unit to further advance collection and prosecution. As the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney I have begun to seek grant funding for a full time victim advocate. As Johnson County Prosecutor I will use those funds to add a full time victim advocate unit to the Prosecutor’s Office to enhance communication the awareness of victims of crime to the judicial process.

9. Pets: We have an Australian Shepherd named Krystal, a big, black cat named Sammi and a red and blue Betta (fish) named Elvis.


Statement: The duty of the Johnson County Prosecuting Attorney is two-fold: to prosecute crime committed within Johnson County and to defend the rights and privileges of all Johnson County citizens. I am determined to fulfill that duty. I have nearly eight years experience prosecuting crime in the State of Missouri and have been prosecuting crime right here in Johnson County for the past one and one-half of those years. I am familiar with the issues affecting Johnson County citizens, not only because I live here and am raising a family here, but because I am witnessing first hand the offenses committed against our citizens. I am committed to the fight for justice, dedicated to keeping Johnson County safe and have the proven ability to effectively run the office of Prosecuting Attorney of Johnson County. I am eager to become the next Prosecuting Attorney of Johnson County.