Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt was invited to be a part of a press conference held by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on Tuesday at the Iowa Statehouse. 

This was a Justice for Victims press conference, in which Bird laid out her legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Sandholdt was invited to attend along with a former governor of New Mexico, the Linn County Attorney, and the Executive Director of Crisis Intervention Services. Sandholdt says they were invited to come to show support and speak about what exactly her legislative proposals are going to entail.

Sandholdt says the two proposals that he was the most interested in speaking on and that are especially important to him are Katie’s Law and the topic of victim’s rights. Katie’s Law is a tool for law enforcement to help solve crimes through DNA and can be used as a deterrent to help prevent crimes. When it comes to victim’s rights, Sandholdt tells KNIA/KRLS that he feels in law enforcement there are times where criminals have more rights than what victims and law enforcement do. Sandholdt said it meant a lot to him to be there and continue his support for victims of crimes.

“I was very humbled and honored to be asked to be there and to present. I’m the past president of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association but whenever you’re asked to speak on such important legislation, it’s very humbling. I think that Attorney General Bird just realizes my support of victims and crimes and how I truly feel criminals need to be prosecuted and held accountable.”

Over 30 states have now enacted Katie’s Law.