He has increased the office’s connection with the community through education and outreach, as well as improved communication and transparency through the creation of a public information officer position and the public reporting on officer involved shooting incidents. DA Hicks also created a first of its kind Specialty Court Diversion Team, sought and obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding to improve traffic safety throughout the state through training and education, and created specialized prosecutor positions to combat human trafficking, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Under DA Hicks’ leadership, the Washoe County Child Advocacy Center, a facility that has revolutionized the approach to investigating physical and sexual abuse cases against children, has grown into a highly effective and award-winning center fostering successful, victim-centered prosecutions. He has expanded the role of victim advocates within the office and spearheaded statewide efforts to pass and implement Nevada’s Victims Bill of Rights – Marsy’s Law. As such, during his administration he has increased prosecution efforts against the worst offenders while also initiating several successful new victim services programs.
He served Washoe County as a Deputy District Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney until his successful election in 2014.ĭuring his tenure, DA Hicks has successfully prosecuted thousands of cases including such notable defendants as Chaz Higgs (the murderer of Nevada’s elected State Controller Kathy Augustine) and James Michael Biela (who abducted and murdered Brianna Denison and sexually assaulted two other University of Nevada students.) He is currently prosecuting Wilbur Ernesto Martinez Guzman, alleged to have murdered 3 women and 1 man, of which three were elderly, over a 12-day period in January of 2019 in northern Nevada.Īs District Attorney, DA Hicks has outlined the office's priorities into four categories: Victim Services, Public Safety, Public Outreach, and Increased Efficiencies. DA Hicks joined the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office in 2005 after having served the citizens of Carson City as a prosecutor from 2002 until 2005.
#Chaz higgs professional#
Washoe County District Attorney Christopher Hicks has devoted his professional career to achieving justice and promoting public safety.
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