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After my service, I attended and
graduated from Lincoln College and Sangamon State University, now
University of Illinois-Springfield. I then began working for the
Logan County Public Defender’s office as an investigator, first for
Attorney Dan Handlin, and then for Justice John Turner when he took
over that office. In 1984, I became a Probation Officer with the
Logan County Probation Office until my acceptance to Southern
Illinois University School of Law where I received my Juris
Doctorate.
Upon graduating from Law School, I began my legal career with the
McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office, working my way up in the
office handling traffic, misdemeanors, DUI, and then felony cases.
In 1991, I received a Commission in the United States Army Reserves
as a Judge Advocate General. I served in the reserves from 1991 to
2002, attaining the rank of Captain.
I served as Logan County State’s Attorney, being elected by the
citizens of Logan County in 1996. I served the citizens of this
county as their chief prosecutor from 1996-2000. While Logan County
State’s Attorney, I advocated for a Teen Court Program and saw the
fruition of this program helping the young people of Logan County.
In December of 2000, I went to work for the City of Springfield as
an Assistant Corporation Counsel/Police Legal advisor. While in that
capacity, I successfully defended the City in Federal Court in a
1983 Action.
My trial experience also includes an Assistant State’s Attorney,
serving the citizens of Logan, Woodford, and McLean counties. I
served in McLean County as the First Assistant State’s Attorney
under the Honorable Ron Dozier and under (now Judge) Jason Chambers.
Under the administration of (now Judge) William Yoder, I was a
member of the office’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuting the most
serious of felony offenses. Among those cases I have prosecuted,
include, as second chair, the last capital murder case held in
McLean County, People v James Reid. As the first chair, I
successfully prosecuted five first-degree murder cases in McLean
County: People v. Kendall Gunn, People v. Michael Brown, People v.
Michael Brooks, People v. David Gharrett, and People v Misook Wang.
As an Assistant State’s Attorney for Logan County, I, as second
chair, successfully prosecuted the murder case of People v. Jon
Morgan. I was also a part of the trial team that successfully
prosecuted the case of a serial rapist in the case of People v Jeff
Pelo .
As a Judge sitting in Logan County, my primary duties are handling
Criminal Cases. I handle Traffic, Felonies, Misdemeanor and Juvenile
Cases, including Abuse and Neglect and Juvenile Delinquencies. I
also handle divorces, family cases, adoptions, orders of protections
and all of the weddings. Logan County also has the Specialty Drug
Court, which I am the Presiding Judge. [to
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The Eleventh Judicial Circuit also
has a Specialty Court for Veterans called Veterans Treatment Court.
I serve as the backup judge for the program. It is a court that
handles cases for our veterans who have been honorably discharged
and have suffered from things such as post traumatic stress or
substance abuse issues and find themselves involved in the legal
system. Those that qualify and successfully complete the program,
have their cases dismissed. It is a service provided for our
veterans who have served, and I am proud to be a part of this
program.
I raised my family here in Logan County. I hold a special devotion
to this county and its people, and my whole life has been dedicated
to serving its citizens. I am proud of my extensive legal career
working for the people; their safety is my utmost concern, and I
feel I have the integrity, experience, and dedication for Resident
Circuit Judge, accumulated over decades of public service. I am a
member of Lincoln Christian Church. I am married to Tina, a teacher
at Lincoln Junior High School. I am the father of two and
grandfather to five.
I hope the voters will recognize my commitment to the community and
the work I have done to ensure justice for all. Serving as Logan
County Resident Circuit Court Judge will allow me to continue
bringing justice and fairness to the citizens of our county. I feel
my legal education and vast trial experience as a judge and attorney
for the citizens of many central Illinois counties make me uniquely
qualified to proudly serve the citizens here as Logan County’s
Resident Circuit Judge. I believe I have the integrity and judicial
temperament which allows me to render fair and impartial decisions
now as Associate Judge and as future Resident Circuit Judge. A judge
must not be influenced by identity, race, gender, political status,
wealth, or relationship of the party or parties or lawyer(s). As
well, another important character trait is the ability to apply the
law to the facts and to understand how a judicial decision will
affect the people appearing before the court. I feel I possess these
qualities and have the ability to communicate effectively with
counsel, jurors, witnesses, and parties calmly and courteously, to
treat all before me with respect, as well as the willingness to
listen to and consider all sides of a debatable proposition. I have
worked diligently in my service as both an attorney and judge
serving the communities of Logan and surrounding counties, and I
hope to continue to earn the public support and trust, which is
absolutely essential, in administering the duties of Logan County
Resident Circuit Judge. [Text from file received] |
