04/09/2026
I wish there was more effort in learning about the things that we don't understand instead of simply being outraged. This week seems to be full of uninformed people explaining things they have as close to zero knowledge about or simply being outraged about those things than ever.
Here is some info from real life experience in the field....
Defendants released on ankle monitors; Safe T act requires release except in certain circumstances for almost every offense. NO ONE in Mercer Co. releases them due to jail over crowding, or due to an attempt to get money from the defendants (Illinois created an entire branch to handle this process and supervise those released since it so common, Office of Statewide Pretrial Services.) I am the one responsible for the jail and I have always been and will always be a lock everyone up type of guy. Illinois believes otherwise, the system has to follow the law.
Criminal Case continuances; The State's Attorney's Office almost always objects to the extreme continuances that we sometimes see. The court has an obligation to provide the defense whatever reasonable amount of time they need to prepare a defense, if they deny a defense motion for a continuance you can almost guarantee a successful appeal. We hate it as much as anyone but it is not our choice, the system always favors the defendant, always.
Plea deals; Mercer Co State's Attorney's Office is notably aggressive in the prosecution of criminal cases and they are staunch advocates for victims. What people do not understand, or care to learn, is how a victim's wishes can alter outcomes, especially child victims. Can you imagine the rightful outrage if a child victim, who has already been victimized by someone they trust, feels within themselves that they simply cannot testify at a trial yet being forced to do so anyway by the state. Place yourself in that child's or their parent's shoes, your daughter, victimized by an adult, is adamant that they do not want to relive the nightmare that they experienced in front of strangers and telling them too bad, you have to testify anyway. Plea deals often happen to protect the victims from additional mental trauma while still holding the perpetrator accountable, maybe not as much as we'd like but not causing further harm to the victim is important.
When a child victim's wishes and mental health are completely ignored to push our own personal agenda we have failed as a society.
The Courtroom is open to the public, law enforcement, probation, Office of Statewide Pretrial Services, Prosecuting Attorneys are all in need of qualified applicants. Be part of the solution instead of the problem, learn how the system works and what doesn't and run for congress and change the laws. Do something to make a difference instead of hating on those of us who have devoted our lives to do just that.
