At the end of the first week of a high-stakes attempted murder trial in 2004, a harried Tony Golik was leaving the office, on his way to the Clark County Courthouse, when he was stopped by his boss.
Prosecutor Art Curtis wanted to offer a few words of advice to the new major crimes deputy prosecutor in his case against a Norteño gang member.
“I distinctly remember Art saying, ‘Remember the three Cs:” calm, cool and collected, Golik recalled last week. “That was a tough case, and him reminding me of (those traits) was helpful.”
It wasn’t new advice from Curtis, a longtime prosecutor known for his pragmatic approach in criminal cases. But it signified Curtis’ command of the office, Golik said, in that he always strived to have “a high degree of professionalism, the ability to make the right call on cases” and to remain calm under fire.
It’s a legacy Prosecutor-elect Golik wants to continue when he succeeds Curtis in January, the first time there’s been a new prosecutor in nearly 30 years.
“I’m taking over the house that Art built,” he said.
Already, the two lawyers share strikingly similar qualities, their colleagues say: Both swiftly moved up the ranks as criminal trial lawyers, both have a passion for crime victims’ rights and both view prosecuting cases as the role of a public servant.
But there are differences. Over the years, Curtis has often stayed in the background, shying away from the media and, instead, designating his deputies to give interviews. As a deputy prosecutor for 15 years, Golik has embraced the spotlight, seeing the relationship between media and the prosecutor’s office as something that should be transparent.
“I see the media as part of the job,” he said. “If I’m doing my job right, I’m letting the community know what’s going on” regarding charging decisions and plea negotiations, he said. “It’s how our system is set up.”
Golik said he will still give his 40 deputy prosecutors liberty to answer media questions, but plans to be the spokesman on issues concerning the office.
Up the ranks
Curtis hired Golik, who had been working as a deputy prosecutor in Spokane County, in 2000.
“He had just won a murder case and we put him in District Court,” Curtis recalled.
Golik was not too happy about having to go from handling major felony crimes back down to misdemeanors, but Curtis wanted him to have to work his way up to the major crimes unit.
“We knew Tony had a lot of ambition and good trial skills. He’s certainly proven himself in that regard,” Curtis said.
As the head of the office, Golik is not planning a big shake-up with how things are run. The office will still be divided into specialty units, such as major crimes, drugs and domestic violence. He has moved around several deputy prosecutors to fill roles left open by retiring lawyers and those who are being promoted.
For instance, Camara Banfield, a deputy prosecutor handling domestic violence cases, will move to the major crimes unit, along with Alan Harvey, who currently handles general felonies. Deputy Prosecutor Dustin Richardson will replace Scott Jackson — who is becoming chief criminal deputy prosecutor — as the head of the Children’s Justice Center.
Golik also plans to add more personnel to the appellate unit, the unit tasked with defending the state on appeals, and reduce the number of middle management prosecutors, or those in charge of the units. Also in the cards is the inception of a public records unit to handle the public and media’s request for documents.
These changes will be made not by adding expenses, he said, but through the shuffling of positions.
While Golik’s opponent in the November election, Vancouver senior assistant city attorney Brent Boger, criticized him as someone who would continue the status quo of his predecessor, Golik doesn’t see the need for any big changes.
Asked how he would distinguish himself from Curtis, Golik said he hoped not to.
“I hope to be a career prosecutor. I want to do the job until the day I retire, which is a long time from now,” the 43-year-old said. “I want to be remembered as a person who, much like Art, dedicated an entire professional career to the service of the community.”
Columbian staff writer Stephanie Rice contributed to this report.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
