Dora’s Work in Office

• Criminal Justice Reform: First Offender Initiative Program—available for all non-violent offenses; Alternative sentencing for low-level offenses; Resources for addiction and mental health; Mental Health Task Force; Cannabis Forums and Training—website and email for the public

• Managing 12 attorneys and 14 assistants.

• Digitizing: Changed to secure e-mail disclosure of reports, motions and videos to defense counsel, eliminating copying, paper and postage expense. Moved to online legal research and saved over $15k in costs.

• Began all Grand Jury proceedings for probable cause findings on felony charges vs. weekly Preliminary Hearings.

• “Smart on Crime”: Focus on serious and violent offenses, assigned Street Crimes Prosecutor.

• Recalled all Failure to Pay Warrants

• New forms for Fees & Assessments—to allow fee waivers for indigent defendants

• Personal review of felony cases.

• Weekly case review with our local Federal authorities.

• Victim Rights training and Policy—new policies in office to ensure compliance

• with Victim Rights’ Act.

• Personal meetings with victims/families of violent crimes.

• Legal Update Training for Law Enforcement Agencies.

• Presented at Citizens Police Academy, Pot Panel, Crimestoppers, Career Days and Job Shadowing with local schools to explain the duties of the office.

• Special Prosecutor for Whiteside County to handle prosecute sex abuse case.

• Maintaining felony caseload as well as administrative duties.

• Assist in all courtrooms: traffic, misdemeanor, juvenile and felony.

• Quick responses to Department Heads and County Board.

• Created State’s Attorney Facebook Page for increased awareness and accessibility.