Q&A: Newest district attorney talks job

Longtime Clovis prosecutor Brian Stover on Friday was named the 9th Judicial District attorney, succeeding Andrea Reeb who is retiring on March 1.

He answered questions about his new job, crime in the community and the upcoming legalization of cannabis via email.

Question: First, happy birthday. You turned 49 on Monday, right? Did you think you would be a district attorney at this point in your life when you first entered law school?

Stover: I certainly did not think that I would be DA when I entered into law school. When I went to law school, I had no intention of going into criminal law.  I wanted to be a private attorney and make money. 

Then I got my first job working for the DA's office in Lovington. I just really was impressed with the sense of purpose that this job provides. After that first year, I was sure that this is what I wanted to do for my career.

Q: Talk about the difference between a DA's job and that of an assistant DA. And what do you think will be the most challenging responsibilities as you make the transition?

Stover: The difference between the two positions is rather vast. The district attorney is the chief administrator in the district and responsible for the budget, policy, and all employee matters. 

As an assistant district attorney the primary focus is on the cases assigned to you. As I have described to people who have asked me, I was a good chief deputy because I worked hard to know everything. I will work to be a good DA by working hard to know everyone. 

The most challenging responsibility that I will take on will be to build bridges between the 9th DA office and the new chief of the Clovis Police Department. The most challenging responsibility that I have as the district attorney will be to keep the trust of the people. 

The people of this community need to know that we are working for them.

Q: Do you plan on making any major changes?

Stover: At this time I do not envision making any major changes. Instead I plan to build on the firm foundation that Ms. Reeb has left for me.

Q: How is the staffing situation among prosecutors and staff? Has COVID taken a toll on your office as it has on so many businesses and schools?

Stover: The staffing for my office really could not be much better. Although we will be one attorney short after Ms. Reeb retires, we are at full staff and have been at full staff.

We are unique in the state in this regard because we are willing to accept younger attorneys and work to train them up. We have worked hard to find people who share our vision of putting victims first in the criminal justice system. 

Where COVID has hit us hard is in the ability to take cases for court. Jurors, witnesses, officers and even prosecutors are vulnerable to COVID and any time one becomes infected it can derail a jury trial. 

Q: You've been in Clovis-Portales since 2006. Has anything changed about the crime world? Do you feel like the communities are becoming more dangerous, or maybe less dangerous, in the past 16 years? Are we more or less likely to be random victims of violence? Are the criminals becoming more violent?

Stover: Over the course of the past 15 years that I have served here in Clovis, I have seen an increase in the degree of violence that we have experienced. 

There are not more crimes but the crime that we are dealing with is of a more violent nature. I do believe that criminals are becoming more violent. Violent crime is the deepest concern that I have.

Q: What do you think is the primary cause of crime?          

Stover: In my opinion, the primary cause of crime is the breakdown of family in our society. Where do we learn the difference between right and wrong?  Where do we learn how to treat people in our community? We learn that from our family. When the family unit is not stable, then the community is not stable, and when the community is not stable, we see an increase in crime. 

Q: What can the district attorney's office do to decrease crime?

Stover: I believe in a threefold approach to decrease crime:

First, using well trained and dedicated prosecutors, we need to hold offenders accountable for their actions. Offenders need to know that there will not be a free ride in the 9th Judicial District.

Second, work with community resources to provide services that rehabilitate offenders. After being held accountable, it is critical that an offender has a way to find a place back in the community.

Third, reach out with preventive measures. The Abolish Chronic Truancy is an example of a program that we use to reach out to the community and help to stop crime before it starts.

Q: Cannabis sales will become legal throughout New Mexico in April. How do you think that will impact our communities, or will we even notice a change?

Stover: I believe that we will notice a change, and, in my opinion, it will not be for the better. Cannabis use is not associated with higher academic achievement, better parenting, or stronger work ethic. Those are the traits that I believe would improve our community. 

While it is true that many people have benefited from the medical use of Cannabis, I am not in favor of it for recreational use.

Q: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and lawmakers are talking a lot about getting tough on crime this legislative session. What proposals seem logical to you? Are you concerned about any of the proposed changes?

Stover: It is unwise to comment on legislation before it becomes finalized.  However, I am encouraged that the governor is making law enforcement a priority. 

One proposal, to change the revolving door that has developed due to the changes in bail, is very promising. 

Q: OK, one softball question: Who's your all-time favorite fictional crime-fighting character?

Stover: My favorite fictional crime fighter of all time would have to be Sherlock Holmes. 

- Compiled by Publisher David Stevens