New Prosecutor Says She’s Up For The Challenge

HOCKING COUNTY—The Hocking County prosecutor is four months into her new job and she is shaking things up. 

Laina Fetherolf is 28 years old, and some did—and still do—question her ability to hold such a big post. 

Others, though, say they’ve seen improvements since she took office. 

Feherolf —who won the election by just 700 votes—says drugs and sex crimes are priority No. 1. 

She says she will prosecute those crimes harder and they will get more of a priority level on her watch. 

“I’m motivated to do what it takes to get the job done. If that means 60 to 70 hours a week, that’s what I do,“ she said.

She says under the previous administration certain cases didn’t get the look or effort they should have. 

She says in some sex-crime cases, the previous prosecutor “dropped the ball.“ 

She also says it was critical to open the lines of communication with the sheriff’s office on just what they need to prosecute a case and get a conviction. 

She says it’s a big job, but she’s up to the task to make Hocking County great. 

“They see Law and Order and think we put the smack down on criminals, which is great. (I) love that part of the job. But it’s also getting with government officials about what their roles are,“ she said.

It was a very grown-up thing to say for someone who may be one of the nation’s youngest county prosecutors. 

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