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PROSSER -- Deputy Prosecutor Scott Johnson is feeling a bit sentimental about what he's leaving behind but also looking forward to what's ahead.
After more than 12 years in the Benton County Prosecutor's Office fighting for justice and victims' rights, Johnson is moving a few blocks away to a private law firm.
He wraps up his career Friday as a chief criminal deputy prosecutor. Three days later, he'll start his new job in the Mendoza Law Offices.
"I've been thinking about it probably off and on for about a year, and I just thought it was time for a change," Johnson said. "I've really done everything in the office ... I was going to do," from handling administrative duties and trying a spectrum of criminal cases to arguing before the Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court.
"I just thought it was about time to get some different experience," he added.
Johnson, 37, worked in the office as an intern with a limited law license in 1996. A graduate of the University of Baltimore, he started prosecuting full time in 1997.
Over the years, he has handled cases in District Court, Juvenile Court and Superior Court -- everything but civil, he said. He has split the chief criminal duties with Terry Bloor for about 51/2 years.
"Scott was an excellent prosecutor, an excellent trial lawyer, so we will miss him very much," said his boss, Prosecutor Andy Miller. "On the other hand, he is a good friend, and so we wish him the best in whatever he wants to do."
Miller said there are always changes when a chief deputy leaves, like when Bob Ingvalson became a Benton County District Court judge and Carrie Runge was appointed a Superior Court judge. Johnson's departure will "leave a hole in the office," Miller said, but it's happened twice during his time as elected prosecutor.
In addition to being "an excellent attorney," Johnson "was also a great mentor to young deputy prosecutors. His office seemed to always be full of young deputy prosecutors asking for advice, and I think we all valued his common sense," Miller said. "Also what shows the great work Scott did is the number of victims of crime who have sent letters and called just thanking Scott so much for the work. ... Scott really impacted peoples' lives."
Sal Mendoza Jr. said those skills will be an asset to the firm and the entire community.
Now that Mendoza and Johnson will no longer be at opposing tables, Mendoza said he is "excited that I'm not going to lose to him."
The firm is owned by husband-and-wife team Sal and Mia Mendoza. Johnson will be an equal in the office like fellow lawyer Shawn Sant, Sal Mendoza said.
"(Johnson's) level of trial experience and his integrity are something that I admire, and we're extremely happy to have him," Mendoza said. "We're just ready to be of assistance to the rest of the Tri-Cities now."
Mendoza has more than 12 years' experience as a lawyer and is under contract with Benton County to represent indigent defendants in Superior Court. His office handles criminal cases, personal injury cases, landlord/tenant law, adoptions, contract disputes and civil matters.
Johnson said Mendoza's practice "seemed like the best fit for me. I talked to a lot of lawyers, mulled over a few options, and that was the best fit."
His primary focus will be domestic work such as divorces and child custody matters. Johnson said the domestic practice "translates very well into what I've been here -- advocating for people in a difficult position like we do for victims a lot."
He also will take on a District Court contract representing defendants charged by the city of Kennewick with misdemeanors.
"Right now I'm focused on getting this practice up and off the ground. I just want to do a good job on that," Johnson said.
Johnson gave his notice to Miller in August. He said working in the prosecutor's office has been "the greatest job I could have had these last 12 years. I've been able to learn things that I wouldn't have been able to learn anywhere else and try cases I wouldn't have been able to anywhere else.
"It's been a great run," he added.
-- Kristin M. Kraemer: 582-1531; kkraemer@tricityherald.com
