It's no question that having experience is a quality that a candidate for district attorney must possess.

Though Stacy Parks Miller's experience doesn't measure up to her opponent's in number of years as a prosecutor, her experience as an assistant district attorney coupled with her fresh ambition to make changes to the current Centre County office make her the better candidate for district attorney.

Being a good prosecutor is a key component to being a district attorney, but even more important is the DA's ability to manage the assistant DAs and administer the office.

We believe Michael Madeira is an excellent prosecutor, but those skills have not translated to efficient administration of the DA's office. Parks Miller's experience as an assistant DA coupled with her time as a defense attorney would provide balance in the DA's office, something that is sorely missing now.

Consider the lawsuit filed against former assistant DA, Lance Marshall, who was accused of offering court favors in exchange for sex. Though the case was settled, voters should ask themselves if this is the type of incident that can be expected in a district attorney's office.

Examine the cases Madeira pursues. Is going after Elizabeth Burke, a participant in the Mifflin Streak -- an event that draws an audience who knows exactly what to expect -- a good use of taxpayer money?

Another example involves Collegian photographer Michael Felletter. To be transparent, the Board of Opinion would like to state that the current district attorney's office is prosecuting Felletter, who was charged with a misdemeanor after photographing a riot downtown last year. While this case factored into the endorsement, the decision was not based on this solely -- and the decision would have been the same with or without the Felletter case.

Like the Burke case, the Felletter case is a waste of time and money and a misguided attempt at setting a legal precedent. What started as a simple misdemeanor has turned into a legal exercise for our current DA, turning Felletter into his own First Amendment plaything.

Students of Penn State University should carefully examine Madeira's priorities and ask themselves if he's pursuing the cases that matter.

No one doubts Madeira's skill as a prosecutor, but as far as management of the DA's office is concerned, it's time for a change of personnel.

Parks Miller wishes to clean up our current DA's office, and we support that initiative. Her experience as a defense attorney and as an assistant DA can bring a new perspective to the DA's office, providing better efficiency and better prioritizing.

Parks Miller has questioned just what exactly Madeira's priorities are, and so should Penn State students and Centre County residents. The DA's office is in dire need of a change. Parks Miller is the candidate to provide that change while continuing to be tough and steadfast when the circumstances call for it.