Complete responses to Deseret News questionnaire:
1. What do you think is the most important issue in this election? How would you address it?
What matters most in this race is EXPERIENCE and a proven record of accomplishments with which to judge future actions. I helped establish the Children's Justice Centers in Utah, worked with the legislature to adopt over 150 changes to the criminal law, established and found funding for Victims' service programs all across the state. I have also developed and implemented crime prevention programs on child abuse, domestic violence, gangs, drug abuse, senior fraud, and senior abuse. These programs have impacted and changed the lives of thousands of Utahns. This independent, professional elected office is the state's chief legal advisor and is also considered to be the state's top law enforcement officer. I suggest Utahns use their vote to select the attorney general in the same way that they would hire their own personal attorney — look beyond political labels and rhetoric. Select the individual with the most experience, knowledge, and legal skill.
2. What specific attributes will you bring to the attorney general's office that your opponent will not?
I bring legal professionalism, maturity and 25 years of legal and managerial experience — elected to two terms as County Attorney and eight years as Jan Graham's Chief Deputy. I have been a leader in the AG's office and supervised my opponent before he left to join Doug Short in the Salt Lake County Attorney's office. I have personally prosecuted every possible type of criminal case, including dozens of notable capital homicide cases. I can provide balance to state government because I have proved in the past that I am able to make tough decisions, withstand political pressure, and stand up for what is right. I already have an excellent relationship with local law enforcement agencies across the state as evidenced by endorsements from nearly every police chief in the state.
3. Please list Utah's No. 1 crime problem and what you would do to combat it.
In my view the most serious problem in Utah is the problem of family violence. This would include child abuse, domestic violence and senior abuse. These problems strike at the very core of our society by destroying the family unit which should be the support for every individual. Most of our worst criminals come from abusive, dysfunctional homes. Their criminal activity can be directly attributed to lessons learned or not learned in the home. While we have taken great strides towards solving the problems of violence in our families there is still a great deal to do. I have helped to establish children's justice centers and domestic violence shelters, and have worked to toughen the laws regarding child abuse, domestic violence, and senior abuse. Our attorney general prevention programs have also helped
increase public awareness of these serious problems. These efforts are important and must continue and not be cast aside or categorized as "pet projects".
4. What is your position of defending Utah's new restrictive adoption and foster-care laws?
The job of the attorney general is to defend laws passed by the Utah legislature. Unless a law is blatantly unconstitutional, I would, as Attorney General, defend the law in state or federal court. While the new legislative provisions relating to adoption and foster care may be unpopular with some Utahns, I do not see obvious constitutional problems with the law, and therefore, would defend it if the law is challenged in court.
5. What is your stance on banning legally-permitted concealed weapons from schools and churches?
I think the voters of Utah should have a chance to answer this question on the ballot. I am a supporter of the second amendment. I am a gun owner and a hunter. However, I do not see a reason for guns to be present at church or school anymore than at an airport or in a courtroom where guns are already prohibited.
6. As attorney general, would you draft laws to make Utah's abortion statute stricter than it already is? Why or why not?
This is a decision for legislators, not a decision for the attorney general. Although I am personally opposed to abortion, my responsibility as attorney general would be to advise those interested in drafting bills regarding the current law including Supreme Court Decisions.
7. In your opinion, does Initiative A, the proposal to declare English as Utah's office language, raise any constitutional red flags? Please explain.
Initiative A makes a clear statement that English is the state's official language. It has several exceptions that allow other languages to be used for certain purposes. While I do not support the initiative because I feel that it would be divisive and states the obvious that English is our primary language, I do not see Constitutional problems that would invalidate the initiative if it were passed.
8. What is your position on Initiative B, the proposed Utah Property Protection Act?
I do not support this initiative because the current law regarding civil asset forfeiture provides an effective law enforcement tool for fighting drug dealers. The most effective way to stop drug dealers is to take away their profit. Current law provides due process to property owners and only takes their property if a judge is convinced that forfeiture is appropriate.
As part of the Deseret News survey of candidates, each person seeking public office is allowed one question of their opponent. Here is Mark Shurtleff's question for Richards:
During the eight years you have served as chief deputy attorney general, the office's budget has doubled and you have added 150 full time employees. How do you explain the ongoing problems with Child and Family Services and child custody?
The legislature sets the budget for all state offices, including the attorney general's office. However, the numbers provided are not correct. They have been substantially overstated. The office's size has remained constant over the last eight years with the exception of cost of living increases given annually to all state employees, and resources and staff added by legislative mandate to protect children. This would include funding for Children's Justice Centers in all parts of the state, and the Child Protection Division. The assignment of child protection, prior to 1994, was carried out by the twenty-nine County Attorneys. While the office did not ask for the assignment for removing children from abusive homes, once the legislature gave the AG's office that assignment our attorneys have worked diligently to ensure that children are protected in every part of the state. The attorneys working in this area are dedicated, and do their best to ensure the safety of the children, but at the same time protect the integrity of the family.