This page will consist of fair and accurate copies of emails or letters I have been sending to groups during my campaign.
My name is John Rutan and I am running for Franklin County Prosecutor in this year's election. I just got confirmation today from the Franklin County Board of Elections that my petition for candidacy has been approved and I am running uncontested in the primary for the Republican Party. I hesitate to mention the party because I want all voters to focus on the person, not the party but mention it so you know I will make it to the general election.
I think this is the most important position on the ballot as it has a direct effect on crime, safety in the community and respect for law enforcement. I think this position is also more connected to law enforcement because of the working relationship and mutual interest. I feel I will be the best candidate for this position and one all your officers will come to respect and rely upon. I know I can help all law enforcement by making sure your hard work is not wasted by inadequate prosecution. With me as the leader, all attorneys will be efficient and effective. With experience as a criminal defense attorney, I understand weaknesses in cases and how they are defended. Simply put, I know how to take the air out of their sail and properly prepare officers.
I will also be a prosecutor that takes into consideration the officers personal feelings. I feel officers will have greater insight into the character of the accused and the conduct of the defendants while in custody. Plus, they deserve to have input to know their hard work is appreciated. The way people treat law enforcement should be reflected in sentence recommendations.
I will also help strengthen law enforcement by being available via cell phone, meetings and events. I understand officers are not lawyers and do not have the training I do. I will be sure to educate officers on good and bad conduct as it arises. I will treat officers with respect and provide advice and counsel. I will be the type of leader any law enforcement officer can call anytime if they have questions.
All I ask for is an opportunity to help inform law enforcement due to the significance of the position. I think a forum would be wonderful to give you all an opportunity to ask me any questions. I would also invite the other candidates although they keep dogging me when I ask for a debate.
I consider myself not only a unique candidate but one with tremendous experience, insight, a good soul and desire to make the community a better place. I intend to do this with ideas, not just slogans. On my website at http:rutan4prosecutor.com I have at least 20 prosecutor pledges that will help our community. I also have a tab detailing my prosecutor related experience which is downplayed because I have been primarily a defense attorney. I think that weakness is my strength. Under my Meet John Rutan tab I have 17 numbered paragraphs about certain areas of my life. A full disclosure opposed to a brief I graduated college and been a lawyer for so many years.
I have many more pledges on my website, but wanted to include a few so you know I have ideas not just slogans:
- Bring Crime Down: A County prosecutor can help bring crime down with policies, programs, compassion and accountability. By getting the dangerous people off the streets with effective and efficient prosecution of all cases and using measurable justice so not to create a new generation of criminals. Give the police force advice and counsel to administer fair justice and improve the integrity of their cases so criminals don't get let off due to a constitutional violation. There also needs to be standards so the public knows what to expect to help deter and punish. One example of failed leadership is about 200 teenagers go to prison per year. Absent murder or attempted murder, no juvenile should go to prison. Some standards that will apply are as follows: 1) Any child crime will be punished to the fullest. 2) Life for a life absent legal justification or mitigating circumstances. 3) If you are a juvenile and get caught with a gun you will get at least one year. 4) If you go to prison and get out and commit a similar crime, your sentence will be enhanced. 5) Additional crimes will result in additional time. 6) People need to know ones home is the most sacred place one can have. You cross that threshold, you will have a new home for several years. 7) If you bring a gun to the street in ill will, you will be taken off the street. 8) Non violent offenders and drug users will know, our office has compassion and will provide the opportunity to get better. People will know you can either be sober at home, or be sober in prison but they will have an opportunity at recovery if they shall chose.
- Prosecute the small stuff so the big stuff does not happen. I like the logic behind the Guliani's broken windows theory that gave New York 20 years of relative safety before DeBlasio went a different direction. If you prosecute the small stuff, the big stuff doesn't happen as often. Under that theory it addresses small crimes, but where I would piggy back off that logic is with low level offenders. I understand we need compassion and give low level offenders another shot at life, but probation should also come with consequences. I think it would be important for people charged with a felony to see the inside of a jail so they gain a greater appreciation of future consequences. To often, someone's first time inside a penal institution is for years, where if they would have got days or weeks, years before, it would never have led to that. Another way I can help bring crime down in Franklin County that will be proven with statistics given the opportunity..
- Prison Is Not for Children Unless Murder Or Attempted Murder: In running for this position, I was shocked to find out that over the past 10 years in Franklin County, each year according to the Columbus Dispatch 158 to just over 200 teenagers are sent to prison. My first thought was, now way are there that many murders. That is a leadership problem. This will not happen under my administration. At 18 a person is no longer subject to the juvenile system. If you commit a crime under the age of 18, the juvenile system under the most extreme circumstances can hold a child up to the age of 21. So to give up on a child at the age of 15, 16 or 17, when the system can have another 4 years shocks my moral consciousness. I have spent my career keeping juveniles in the system absent murder or attempted murder's. In the system does not mean probation, but it means being locked up at a facility that is intended to punish, not destroy. Putting teenagers with grown man is a form of torture. "Youth in adult facilities are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted, eight times more likely to die by suicide, and nearly twice as likely to be beaten by staff or attacked with a weapon by another inmate, according to the Children’s Law Center, a national nonprofit legal center that works for kids’ rights." As the Franklin County Prosecutor, I will rule with compassion and accountability. Children will be punished, not victimized.
Besides issues, policies and the role of a county prosecutor, one thing the public should be concerned about is honesty and integrity when you are talking about the most important position locally on the ballot. Most people do not realize, but Franklin County Prosecutor has the power to choose who gets charged, what offers are handed down, and the creation of an effective and ethical workforce. Since the democrats have been in the position, crime has risen in every area and there has been a mass exodus of prosecutors claiming brain drain. There is a new generation of criminals being created and teenagers are being sent to prison due to the laziness in the County Prosecutor's office. Tyack recently said people are killing people faster than his office can prosecute cases. That is a insult to our justice system and will change immediately with me. Cases will move faster and trials will happen more often.
Without a doubt, I am the candidate with the most integrity. I know some in the public are upset with Shala Favor's (Democratic candidate) because she ran for office as city council, and after she was elected announced her candidacy for Franklin County Prosecutor. Some feel she misled them into believing she was going to help, be present and fulfill the 4 year role. Not turn around and look for the next best thing.
Then, even more concerning is the most recent discovery by the Columbus Dispatch of Anthony Pierson (Another democratic candidate). He has a home, wife and child in Delaware yet he claims he lives in Franklin County. I know what he did is wrong because I had that option back in 2020 when I was considering running for Clark County Prosecutor. When I learned of the requirement of location, I was told to rent an apartment to make it look like I lived there and just sleep there a night or two here and there. I didn't do it, because I knew it was unethical and immoral to lie to the voters. I owned a home and had a son. I would never leave my son. To say I lived elsewhere (HOME) would be disingenuous. Never mind being married like Mr. Pierson. I would have found him more credible if he told the truth and said, I am living here to see if I win, if I do, my family will move here. I think what he did is grounds for withdrawing. If you can tell one lie, where does it stop? The coverup is worse than the crime. You will never hear me tell a lie. Like my Dad said, “there are only two things people can never take from you, your name and your word”. He also said, “if you always tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said”.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope for any opportunity to inform the masses. I am trying to win this election the right way and not ask for money, but opportunities to inform the public. I think this is a moral position and if you breach some integrity, where does it stop. I like to follow what Jesus said in the Gospel of Thomas. The way to heaven isn't praying, donating or jumping through hoops, all you have to do is "always tell the truth, and don't do what you hate" (paraphrasing). The Gospel of Thomas paragraph 6. One of the books left out of the bible.
2) Dear Columbus Defense Attorneys,
My name is John Rutan, and I am running for Franklin County Prosecutor in this year's election. I just got confirmation January 2, 2024 from the Franklin County Board of Elections that my petition for candidacy has been approved and I am running uncontested in the primary for the Republican Party. I hesitate to mention the party because I want all voters to focus on the person, not the party, but mention it so you know I will make it to the general election.
I got this group of emails from a list of defense attorneys who do court appointed work which I also have been doing on and off during my 13-year career. I know it does not pay a lot of money, so it is an indication to me it’s a group of likeminded attorneys who want to help the greater good. I hope this email does not offend you by its solicitation, but I am trying to win this election the right way. Instead of raising money, I am raising awareness. If you like me, please pass my name around. As you know in our field, the best compliment is a recommendation.
I think this is the most important position on the ballot as it has a direct effect on crime, safety in the community and respect for the judicial system. It affects everyone either directly or indirectly whether they realize it or not. I consider myself not only a unique candidate but one with tremendous experience, insight, a good soul and desire to make the community a better place. I intend to do this with ideas, not just slogans. On my website at http:rutan4prosecutor.com I have at least 20 prosecutor pledges that will help our community. I also have a tab detailing my prosecutor related experience which is downplayed because I have been primarily a defense attorney the past 13 years. I think that weakness is my strength because of empathy and understanding. Under my Meet John Rutan tab, I have 17 numbered paragraphs about certain areas of my life. A full disclosure opposed to a brief, I graduated college and been a lawyer for so many years.
I have more prosecutor pledges on my website, but wanted to personalize an email with specific ideas and policies I think will directly impact you.
Bail Reform: Prosecutors have influence on the Judges’ decisions at bail hearing. The real purpose of bail is to secure the person’s appearance and protect the public. Not to drain their savings account, keep them locked up, inhibit their ability to hire a lawyer and fill the jails. As county prosecutor there will be more reasonable bails for low level offenders, first time offenders, non-violent offenders and requests for the highest possible bail for the most egregious crimes that are supported by evidence. I understand as a defense attorney some bails are more than our attorney fees and that is ridiculous. Under my leadership, we will have an office of thinkers who apply the law, not their own personal agenda. This will not only help generate more business, but also help with the efficiency of the judicial system by getting defendants a lawyer of their choosing the first time. I also like the idea of most defendants being free during the pendency of the case because it gives them an opportunity to show their true character. If they really want help, the will seek it voluntarily. If they do not, that will be reflected in plea offers.
Fair Jury Trials: As a defense attorney, I am amazed by how much information prosecutors leave out, or how they focus on winning, instead of a fair trial. With me as a leader, trials will be more efficient and effective. An example is a murder case I had several years ago. It was a case of self-defense. The prosecutor spent over an hour showing autopsy photos and going over the gruesome photos. Then during the closing argument, left up a photo of the dead victim. Trying to appeal to the jury’s passion instead of having some class. That won’t happen under my tenure.
Lie Detectors Work: Throughout my career I have used lie detector tests to exonerate clients. Sometimes the prosecutors will tell me, let me check with my boss and see what the policy is. My policy will be to save resources, if someone wants to take a test, it can be used. It’s a two-way street. If they pass the case is over, if they fail, they will get more time.
Cases Will Move Faster: As county prosecutor, the office will have standards of crimes and prosecutors with compassion and measurable justice. The first plea is your best plea will be a fair statement. From my experience, it takes about 2 months to make sure we have all the evidence. Maybe another month or two to get through all the evidence. Cases should be resolved within 3 to 6 months, not lasting over a year. I was told by a friend at the prosecutor’s office, that a lead prosecutor said if you offer a deal, and they take it the first time, it was to good. I feel that is a terrible attitude. With my office, it will because it is fair. Criminal defense attorneys will have a greater understanding of what type of penalties will be affiliated with certain types of crimes.
No More Hide and Seek: One of the things that needs to be fixed is having Court at 9am, but not seeing your prosecutor until 10 or later. I will assign floors, so prosecutors are easier to locate. This will help everyone use their time more efficiently and help speed up court appearances instead of wasting a whole morning on a case.
If You Have Been Fighting To Keep Juveniles Out Of Prison, Fight Not More, Vote For Me: Prison is not for children/teenagers unless murder or attempted Murder. In running for this position, I was shocked to find out that over the past 10 years how close to 200 juveniles go to adult prison. That is a leadership problem. This will not happen under my administration. At 18 a person is no longer subject to the juvenile system. If you commit a crime under the age of 18, the juvenile system under the most extreme circumstances can hold a child up to the age of 21. To give up on a child at the age of 15, 16 or 17, when the system can have another 4 years shocks my moral consciousness. I have spent my career keeping juveniles in the system absent murder or attempted murder's. In the system does not mean probation, but it means being locked up at a facility that is intended to punish, not destroy. Putting teenagers with grown man is a form of torture. "Youth in adult facilities are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted, eight times more likely to die by suicide, and nearly twice as likely to be beaten by staff or attacked with a weapon by another inmate, according to the Children’s Law Center, a national nonprofit legal center that works for kids’ rights." As the Franklin County Prosecutor, I will rule with compassion and accountability. Children will be punished, not victimized.
Grand Jury Department. Indictments will be supported with legal integrity, not law school antics. Reading that, we all can agree, overcharging is a form of plea negotiation, not justice administration.
Before Charges Are Filed Department: As all practicing attorneys in Franklin County know, a lot of cases get dismissed for futures since drugs and guns need to be tested. During those lapses in time, I will create a department to allow counsels to negotiate cases for clients who want to accept responsibility prior to cases going to grand jury. This would provide opportunities for cases to be resolved quicker, easier and an avenue for lighter sentences.
Improved Work Environment--Accountability. If I am elected, this will be my first-time working for a prosecutor’s office. I am mindful other people have been there much longer and could have ideas on how to improve the work atmosphere, which I am excited to learn about. Some of my ideas from prior experience include giving prosecutors the ability to request divisions and assigning floors to avoid the issue of having to be in 3 places at one time. My attitude, transparency, and appreciation will help foster an environment of dignity with a newfound excitement for work. This is important because you can tell an angry prosecutor. Attitude is important. One of the things I try to live by is love your neighbor, like you love yourself. I will be hiring and training prosecutors to have compassion, thoughts and being prepared.
Community Service, Faith Based Programs and Fines: There will be an emphasis on penalties involving community service in every case. Fines when reasonable to help fund the rehabilitation programs. As a defense attorney, 90% of my clients had two traits in common. Lack of Faith and lack of Family. Although we cannot make people attend church, they won’t be deterred but encouraged.
More Opportunities for People to Be Rehabilitated. Prison should primarily be for violent criminals and repeat offenders. Diversion programs will be set up to assist with focusing on not only the problem, but the pain leading to such issues. You don’t need just tools but substitutes.
Judicial Release: My whole career, absent an agreement during a plea, all prosecutors object to inmate’s request for judicial release. This is mindless conduct by the prosecutor’s office. I love judicial release because it gives inmates hope they can get out early if they behave. Motivation to get better is my goal. To punish people, not crush people. To only keep the most dangerous offenders locked up.
If you have any ideas, questions, comments or suggestions, please let me know. I can also be available for any meetings or phone conversations if you like.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
