Residents need equal protection

How does a citizen of Bonner County receive a fair trial when a Bonner County deputy clerk conducts a traffic stop on a person in Sandpoint, uses her official government position to direct and influence a local police officer to issue a citizen citation for something more than what she perceived as a mere traffic infraction into a criminal offense? Next, to persuade the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office to not only issue the case but demand a no plea offer in the case.

The deputy clerk not only has a working relationship with the police and prosecutor’s office but also the judges that may potentially preside over the trial which she will act as plaintiff. This may further bias the outcome of any adjudication.   

The Bonner County Clerk’s Office has overstepped their legal authority and may leave this county libel by possible civil litigation.

Bonner County residents need fair and impartial police investigations, prosecutions and judicial proceedings — not a coordinated effort by one deputy county clerk to overzealously pursue her personal vendettas.

This appears to be a clear case of abuse and malicious prosecution by a Bonner County deputy clerk and at the very least, the Bonner County Clerk’s Office should initiate an internal investigation as to the clerk’s behavior both on and off duty.

CHRIS THOMPSON

Hope