Two Candidates Seek County Attorney Office

Thomas Bleicher and Ralph “Jim” Patch are facing each other in the race to decide the next Roosevelt County Attorney. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5. Ballots will be mailed to absentee voters on Oct. 11.

The candidates answered the following questions from this newspaper.

1. What experience do you have that you feel would benefit you if you are elected to this position?

Patch: My experience of being licensed as an attorney to practice law for more than 40 years qualifies me to serve as the county attorney for Roosevelt County. I paid my tuition at Gonzaga School of Law by first serving in the military for two years, 11 months and 26 days in the Army Security Agency as a voice intercept operator. After law school, I returned to my home county where I practiced law and served as county attorney from 1989-2002, and from 2010-2018. During those years, my office handled an array of cases from homicides, deadly drug cases, domestic violence, sex crimes and assorted misdemeanors. I learned to appreciate and work closely with law enforcement protecting our county. My office was also mandated to act as counsel to the county commissioners, and the various county departments who may call upon the county attorney for advice and representation. One might say, “been there, seen it, done it.” Definitely up to the task.

Bleicher: I have faithfully served as the deputy county attorney since January 2023 and during this time have come to develop a wide array of relationships and experiences. I have worked tirelessly with law enforcement to make sure that they feel supported.

2. What do you view as the biggest challenges facing the office?

Bleicher: The biggest challenge facing the county attorney’s Office is having stability in the county attorney position. Law enforcement, and the community, needs an office where they can have a stable working relationship with the county attorney; effective prosecution of cases requires stability.

Patch: To keep abreast of the constant changes in our county and to maintain cooperation between the entire county and its many constituents.

3. How many hours a week do you feel that elected officials should commit to the position? How many hours should they spend in the office?

Patch: Montana Statues govern the hours that county offices are to remain open. The county attorney’s office follows state requirements. The county attorney is a 24/7 obligation. The numerous duties of the county attorney often requires work beyond the statutory guidelines. This is especially true when law enforcement calls.

Bleicher: I believe that as a fulltime position it should be treated as such; some weeks this will require more than the standard 40 hours. When a job needs to be completed, it needs to be completed, regardless of how many hours it takes.

4. What partnerships or relationships are important to the office?

Bleicher: First and foremost, I believe the county attorney’s office needs an effective partnership with the law enforcement agencies of the county. Law enforcement needs to have confidence in the office to feel that their work is not for naught and that their cases will be vigorously prosecuted, when warranted.

Patch: The Roosevelt County attorney must be able to communicate with all law enforcement entities that are working in the county. The entity most relied upon is the sheriff’s department, but also includes federal and tribal law enforcement. He must be able to quickly decide on jurisdictional issues and be able to seek help from any law enforcement agency at a moment’s notice. The county attorney must be able to receive investigations from many sources, and prosecute in a fair and just manner. His relationship with victims must be sensitive and informative.

5. Do you feel the county attorney’s office understands the needs of the entire county?

Patch: I believe my background has made me keenly aware of the needs and aspirations of the several communities within the county. Being raised in Poplar, having lived in Wolf Point, coming out of a family that has been in this area since 1889 made me quite aware of the struggles and hopes of the entire county family.

Bleicher: The county attorney’s office attempts to address the needs of the entire county, however, each community may warrant a unique approach.

6. Can you provide examples illustrating the strong judgment you possess and what is needed to serve the county’s residents?

Bleicher: For every criminal case that is ultimately prosecuted in our office, I look at each case separately

and attempt to tailor a fair and just outcome for the prosecution of the case. Every case possesses different details that should be taken into consideration; criminal cases should not be treated as if they are all the same. What may work for one case, may not work for another case, and it is the human element of using sound discretion that ensures that justice is properly served.

Patch: I believe my record speaks for itself. During my career, I became active in State and Federal Court. I was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. I was one of the first lawyers to be admitted to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal Court upon passing the first Tribal Bar exam. I served on the first Tribal Appellate Court. All of these things demand diligence and sound judgment.

7. What will your philosophy be as a county attorney?

Patch: To be the best possible county attorney that my abilities can achieve. To meet each challenge in a profession and fair way. To maintain consistent and just prosecution for crimes. To make decisions based on the law and the constitution.

Bleicher: I will continue in my current philosophy of attempting to zealously prosecute, when warranted, to ensure a fair and just consequence for every criminal act in our county as well as assure that all civil issues are addressed.

8. What role do you see the position sought play in improving the quality of life in the area? What do you see as the area’s greatest strengths and challenges?

Bleicher: I believe that effective prosecution of criminal cases in the County Attorney Office leads to overall improvement of the community. Law enforcement needs an office that they can have confidence in for prosecuting their cases, so that they feel their enforcement actions are followed through on. Having law enforcement feel supported and having effective prosecution of criminal cases can go a long way towards improving the quality of life for all residents in our county.

Patch: As county attorney, I will express my concern to improve the safety and quality of life for all citizens and point out changes necessary to accomplish those goals.