To the editor:

I am writing this letter to encourage all Brown County voters, regardless of party affiliation, to vote to re-elect Ted Adams as our prosecuting attorney.

I have had the privilege of working with Ted and his amazing staff as Ted’s chief deputy since Jan. 1 of this year. During my 40-plus years of practicing law, I have spent approximately one-third on the prosecution side and two-thirds doing criminal defense. I have worked for four different prosecutors and against dozens of others. It is against that backdrop that I can say, unequivocally and without hesitation, that Ted Adams is one of the very finest prosecuting attorneys I have ever known.

Ted came to this office four years ago from a strong criminal defense background. I think that has helped Ted to maintain a healthy perspective, in that he has never lost sight of the fact that each person accused of a crime is a real human being, usually with a family, a job, hopes and dreams, and plans for a future, nor has he lost sight of the fact that being charged with a crime can have a profound impact on a person’s life. I have witnessed Ted stay at the office late into the evening painstakingly going over case reports, witness interviews, videos, experts’ reports and the like — not preparing for trial, but rather, deliberating over a decision whether to file charges against an individual, or what to file if charges are to be filed. Trust me, this is a rare attribute in a prosecutor, and one that has impressed me tremendously.

On the other hand, once charges are filed and a case is going to trial, Ted is an excellent trial attorney. I have told many friends and colleagues that Ted Adams is the kind of prosecutor that, as a criminal defense attorney, I hated to go up against He brings to the courtroom a unique combination of meticulous preparation, trial skills, knowledge of the law, passion, and a sense of humor that makes him nearly unbeatable. (In fact, Ted has not lost a jury trial during his term of office.)

Ted has many other strong qualities as a prosecutor. One in particular is his accessibility. I have constantly been amazed at the time he will spend with the police officers (who freely walk in the front door and directly into Ted’s office), discussing cases, preparing search warrants, going over trial testimony, etc., and victims of crimes, many of whom have gone through horrific ordeals and require frequent reassurance, always with patience, and again with the trademark Ted Adams wit.

We citizens of Brown County are extremely fortunate to have had Ted as our prosecutor. For the good of our county, please do your part to keep him here for another four years.

Tom Barr, lifelong Democrat