Why I want to be the State's Attorney

I have been handling criminal felonies for over the last 6 years.  I strive to do the best I can for my clients, whether it be in trial or during plea negotiations.  I am honest and forthright with my clients which often times doesn't win me many friends, but I am not in this job to make friends. I do my job because I love the practice of law and criminal law in particular.  My job is to help my clients resolve their cases to the best of my ability and to do what I can to make sure they receive a fair and equitable outcome. 

It has become very apparent to me that our system is not in fact 'fair and equitable'.  I want to change that.  I cannot make that type of change being a public defender but I can as State's Attorney.

I believe:

1.  that the State's Attorney should seek justice and not just a conviction.  That the State's Attorney has a duty to prosecute cases in good faith considering that all prosecution is done at tax payer expense. 
2. that the State's Attorney should charge crimes consistently and negotiate and seek sentences that are fair and equitable.
3. that crime prevention begins with the youth of our community.
4. in jail and prison sentences for those who commit violent crimes and those serious repeat offenders who won't change their behavior.
5. in drug treatment and rehabilitation.  An addict who becomes sober is less likely to commit property and other crimes.
6. that drug treatment and education makes our community safer and reduces recidivism.
7. in the BARJ principles -- Balanced and Restorative Justice.
8. in victim's rights.

 Community Outreach and Education

I believe that the State's Attorney, as an individual elected by the people, should be 'in touch' with the community.  Crime prevention is the responsibility of the WHOLE community and the State's Attorney has a duty to be involved.

I believe this outreach and education should be broader than just speaking at local schools.  I intend to meet with community leaders, policing and social service agencies to best determine where the rising issues are and the best avenue of disseminating the information.  I plan to hold public forums to educate the community as a whole on how the criminal justice system works here in Champaign County, what types of behaviors are crimes and can lead to arrest and prosecution (obstruction of justice and resisting arrest to name a few), what is and is not self defense, how to deal with police officers and what to do if stopped and questioned.  These are just a few of the issues I believe are ripe for education in our community. 

I welcome any ideas you may have on the subject.  If you have and idea you would like to share with me on a community outreach project please contact me at: FriendsofJanieMillerJones@gmail.com

My plans for the future of the Office

I have many ideas for restructuring  the Office.  Many I believe can be implemented quickly.  I have spent a lot of time researching how other counties structure their offices and have many ideas based upon that.  I have many other ideas that are not laid out below that I believe will work to make the office here more effective and efficient but have not yet decided the best course of action as to implementation.  I can promise that as State's Attorney I will implement CHANGE and I will not step into office and run it 'business as usual'.

I believe that the Office should not just be sound as to prosecuting crimes, but also sound as to the legal advice that is given to the County Board and other elected officials.  I envision an Office that has a broad base of knowledge and can handle many if not most of the issues necessary in house rather than spending taxpayer money to hire outside counsel.

I intend to change the criminal charging procedure as to ensure that charging is consistent.

I will seek out grants and other funding options to expand the Office so that each and every criminal matter is handled efficiently and effectively.

I will re-establish the Bad Check Restitution Program.  A program devised at helping businesses recoup losses from bad checks and teach the offender the skills necessary so as not to repeat that behavior.  This program supports itself financially and is run completely without taxpayer expense.

I will institute a Community Outreach and Education program.

These are just a few of the changes I envision for the Office.  I welcome any ideas for change that you may have.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at:  FriendsofJanieMillerJones@gmail.com