Re-Elect Tom Siegel as your Warren County States Attorney

I filed my candidacy paperwork yesterday, officially applying for my own job.

Final night to come see me out at the Warren County Prime Beef festival for a chat.

If you’d like to sign my candidacy petition, I’ll have them on hand.

Tonight will be my last night at the festival in the tent and I will have petitions and what remains of the swag available. If you haven't yet, I'd appreciate your signatures on my petitions. If I don't have enough volunteers, you risk me showing up to your home unannounced!

I'll be posting a press release soon about our courthouse's major technological updates which were long overdue. While a lot of other people did the heavy lifting, I'm convinced that my early/often strategy catalyzed the implementation of modern solutions, which until then, were nonexistent, or where implementation inexplicably ceased. I could not have made any of it happen, but I can't help believing that my persistence helped fuel their efforts to have done what was long overdue, and I am proud of myself, but more so of those who worked hard to obtain the tools needed to do the work of the Warren County State's Attorney's Office. I am grateful for their herculean efforts fulfilling my requests. They had no obligation to do so.

The privilege of being able to make some contribution to another long overdue modernization project - The approved justice center project, fills me with pride for the work done by The Citizens' Advisory Committee, members of the County Board, and the most important group of people: Those that voted for this necessary project, knowing it required them to make a financial sacrifice for the community. God bless you all.

If you didn’t come out to the Prime Beef Festival tonight and had no opportunity to sign my candidacy petition, come out after 5p tomorrow!

I picked up petitions and am formally beginning my campaign for re-election.

I'll see y'all at the parade tomorrow and at the festival afterwards! Come say hi!

Join us Sunday August 20th!

The so-called “trial penalty.”

In an earlier post, I linked to an American Bar Association (ABA) article decrying the fact that defendants that lose at trial typically receive lengthier sentences than those who plead guilty in plea deals.

The author characterizes this unsurprising fact as a “trial penalty.” The author starts with the correct premise: a person should not be punished for exercising their right to trial. It is also true that defendants that go to trial and lose are given more severe sentences. The author, however, asks the reader to look through the wrong end of the telescope, reaching the wrong conclusion.

The observed effect is likely not the result of a “trial penalty,” but rather a “plea discount.” Generally, defendants plead guilty in exchange for “something” rather than just because. That “something” typically consists of reduced sentences, dismissed charges, dismissed cases, and other consideration. If they are promised no consideration in exchange for their guilty plea, then they may as well try their luck at trial. The author does not recognize that plea bargaining involves such concessions by the prosecution. Often a defendant will escape punishment for the most serious offense by pleading to some lesser charges. If plea deals yielded worse results, who would enter into them?

Prosecutors do not have enough resources to try every single case. The courts system does not have enough judges and courtrooms to try every case. Plea agreements allow prosecutors to secure guaranteed results and optimize resource allocation. The first step is to estimate the likely outcome and sentence and then determine how much that amount should be discounted considering all the relevant factors. This also involves a review of the file(s), criminal history, and the charges, to ensure that the offer is not beyond the bounds of the likely outcome after contested hearing.

Any attorney that has practiced criminal law for any length of time understands how negotiations work in ordinary criminal cases. It’s to be expected that those who have been unable to reach a plea bargain receive a harsher sentence. It demonstrates that prosecutors are generally negotiating in good faith, not simply persecuting people or trying to tally long sentences. I’m baffled that nobody that touched this piece questioned the backwards conclusion that criminals were being punished for going to trial when the truth is that prosecutors made concessions that made a plea more attractive than the likely outcome after trial. Those who “beat” their cases were not sentenced, obviously.

I’ve been pleased that our office has a track record of consistently securing sentences longer than those which the defendant had rejected in plea negotiations. It’s my goal that when a defendant rejects our offer, they are punished more harshly, not because they rejected the offer, but because the harsher result demonstrates the reasonableness of our offers to compromise and justifies the allocation of resources to that matter. If a defendant believes an offer to be unjust, they are free to exercise their right to hearings on all issues. If it goes badly for them, I will be asking the court for the sentence I feel appropriate, not the discounted sentence of my offer. Hopefully defendants will come to know they are better off negotiating a discounted sentence than losing at trial or contested sentencing. If not, we will continue to try to demonstrate that fact. I remain unaffiliated with the ABA.

https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/new-report-indicts-use-of-plea-bargaining

OP-EDs masquerading as factual or informational:

Here's a tremendous example of using empirical facts to make a case. The trouble with this article is that it assumes a dogmatic worldview without any comprative analysis. No effort is made to broadly and objectively assess the issue. Of course, one can't exoect them to undermine their own agenda.

The numbers are telling a different story than is urged. Sunrise and sunset can be explained by the earth's rotation. This article is the ABA's version of concluding that sunrise and sunset result from the orbit of the sun around the earth.

I'll talk more about what I mean in another post.

Full disclosure - I am generally not impressed with the American Bar Association and its increasing political bent. Challenging popular movements, socially popular concepts, and inconvenient Constitutional protections was frequently discouraged, both overtly and through more subtle means. The ABA continues to put its agenda of the group of professionals they purport to represent.

Plea bargaining reform urged by ABA task force in new report An increasing number of criminal cases are not going to trial, and the implications have negative consequences for the entire justice system, according to a new report by the ABA Criminal Justice Section’s Plea Bargaining Task Force.

Head over to the Warren County State's Attorney's Office page to see the latest booking updates.

The local paper used to post the arrest blotter regularly under "Today's Record." Since taking office, the WCSAO routinely publishes the public police blotter.

Information is power. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not allow yourself to be an easy victim.

https://www.facebook.com/warrencountystatesattorney

Warren County State's Attorney's Office The WCSAO works to uphold public safety through the fair and efficient administration of justice.

Illinois' local primary elections are scheduled March 19, 2024. That's only about 10 months out. It will be here before you know it. It's not too early to think about what local candidates you wish to support.

Whether you have supported me in the past or not, I'm asking for your support now. As elections draw near, I'll share some of the many reasons that I should continue to be the person that hs served the people of Warren County, IL in various roles, for 15+ years.

Please check back periodically. I hope to kick off this campaign as soon as I can resolve some official business which is time critical. I must attend to the business of the Office of the State's Attorney for now.

I hope that I have earned your continued support and I intend to continue to serve the people of Warren County Ilinois. As always, thank you for yur support.

"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity" -Douglas Adams

Police: Concealed Carry Masks Are OK During Pandemic

"State Police also said it trusts state's attorneys will exercise 'sound prosecutorial discretion'" It's important to recognize that the office of State's Attorney carries the heavy burden of properly exercising discretion

northernpublicradio.org Gov. JB Pritzker's new requirement that everyone wear a mask in public during the pandemic has created a problem for gun owners. Concealing your

Law Day 2020 theme is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” It's the job of attorneys before the court to uphold the principle of legality and the rule of law.

Almost 4,000 inmates released from IL prisons, 64 convicted of murder

Why won't Pritzker explain himself? If he believes his actions are legitimate shouldn't he share his reasons with the voters so they can assess his actions independently rather than simply trust him and the PRB?

wsiltv.com After calls from state lawmakers and a Freedom of Information Act Request from Illinois Senate Republicans, the Illinois Department of Corrections releases a list of every inmate released from state prisons since March 1.

Illinois House Republicans call for transparency on inmate releases during pandemic

The viral outbreak isn't only in prisons. Why is Pritzker releasing violent criminals and locking down good citizens instead of locking down prisons? Prison has always been dangerous, how does COVID change that?

wgem.com Over 1,300 individuals have been released since early March. The lawmakers say some of the offenders are convicted of murder, domestic abuse, and major drug charges.

Integrity is the lifeblood of democracy. Deceit is a poison in its veins. -Edward Kennedy

When you find yourself in a hole, first thing you do, you stop digging.

Governor Pritzker commutes sentences during COVID-19, some with violent crimes

This will likely have serious repercussions for public safety. The apparent lack of transparency is particularly troubling.

wrex.com Governor JB Pritzker commutes sentences for some inmates in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 in the last five weeks, according to documents sent to 13 WREX.

"The wish to be elected cannot be more important than the wish to do the right thing.”

― Victor Bello Accioly

I hope that my Christian friends are managing to enjoy Easter and my Jewish friends are managing to enjoy Passover during this difficult time apart from our families.

Second Henry Hill Correctional Center inmate tests positive for COVID-19

Second Henry Hill Correctional Center inmate tests positive for COVID-19

galesburg.com GALESBURG — Knox County's second and third coronavirus cases have now been found at Henry C. Hill Correctional Center. The Illinois Department of

Lawsuit: Pritzker's stay-at-home order hurts 3rd party candidates

This election cycle is turning out to be unique. Lawsuit filed seeking waiver of signature rules:

pantagraph.com CHICAGO — The Green and Libertarian parties in Illinois have filed a federal lawsuit claiming Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order has impeded the petition process necessary to get on the

Need me to come pick up your sign? Please let me know. If you'd like hang on to it for the Nov election that's ok, too. Let me know if you need new stakes as the weather was hard on the signs.

I also want to take the opportunity to once again thank all my supporters! Thank you!

Virus changing the landscape of police work

ICYMI: Though there are not yet any confirmed cases in Knox and Warren counties, police are taking prophylactic measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic

galesburg.com GALESBURG — As Illinois has progressed from closing down schools and restaurant dining rooms to a more robust stay-at-home order, and the threat of

Champaign Co. clerk reprimanded for illegally counting early ballots

Oh boy. Can't believe this happened - seriously threatens the integrity of the election.

wandtv.com URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois election officials scolded a Champaign County official for counting early votes before Election Day, which is against Illinois law.

It's important to remember that we've only overcome the fist hurdle on the path to being elected Warren County State's Attorney. Other candidates have until late June to file petitions for candidacy. The November general election is still a long way off. ,

And rounding out the night with another win in ! Congratulations ! https://t.co/mfwSI4r7Ac

Congratulation to on her primary victory. I hope that you will prevail in the November general election.

To the Republican voters that chose me as your nominee for State's Attorney, Thank you. I will do everything in my power to fulfill the trust that you have placed in me.

To the dozens of supporters that contributed mightily in so many ways to my arduous and challenging campaign, words are not enough to express my gratitude. Forgive me for not individually thanking each one of you here, there are so many of you I do not wish to leave anyone out

To those unhappy with the results, I hope that you will give me a fair chance to change your mind, and to demonstrate that I am amply suited to do the people's work in the capacity of the State's Attorney, a solemn duty

Finally, to the other candidate for the Republican nomination, Andrew Stuckart, current Assistant State's Attorney: I hope that you will remain with the office and lend your experience for the good of the office & the fair and orderly administration of justice in Warren County

Artist rendition.
Credit: Keith Brush

WIAR Fundraiser put on by Dan Porter and the dedicated volunteers of the Western Illinois Animal Rescue at the VFW ... Come on down and support our furbabies!

Number of crimes committed by released arrestees jumped after Chicago-area bail reform, study says

This should surprise exactly nobody. While the tension between the presumption of innocence and the need to protect the community will continue to trouble the court system, the judges should retain the discretion on bond with which they are entrusted

abajournal.com An analysis of bail reform in Cook County, Illinois, underplayed the increase in crime that followed, according to a University of Utah study and a review by the Chicago Tribune.

[Current State's Attorney] "Doyle said Siegel has served as a mentor to many. 'Tom's been a teacher to myself and many of the attorneys in the area...This award is well deserved... he earned it, and he's a valuable member of our community and the community of attorneys'"

I remember the day. I was surprised by this award. I never became an attorney to receive an award but it was wonderful to receive special recognition for the work that I did never for the purpose of recognition. I recall how honored I felt at the time by those that stood by my side when I was given this award, who signed their own names to it, and who had said such kind things to me. I could only be honored more greatly being chosen by the people of Warren Co. to represent them ,

The voters are the true winners. They've had no say in their State's attorney since 1984. Before that, it was 1968. If you don't cast your vote in the Republican primary by March 17th, someone else will have chosen for you, again.

Our Kiwanis pancake day went really well this year - last of the Thrushwood sausage 😋I spent some time visiting with Nurse Ayers after the crowd died down. For those that don't know she did a fabulous job at our jail for so many years. She is missed. Proud to be a kiwanian , ,

spent time in Monmouth today demonstrating her commitment to the people of the 17th. Help her to flip the district when you go to the polling place and don't forget to select your next State's Attorney. ,

The difference between a winner and the average person is that the winner consistently pushes harder. The average person pushes harder only when they feel like it.

I hope you're ready for St. Patrick's Day March 17th - yum corned beef & cabbage 😋 This year it's also election day! Don't forget to vote, it's your opportunity to have your voice heard. I hope you will choose me to represent you as your next State's Attorney.