FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 7, 2024
Pursuing longer sentences will be a priority for Rose
Making sure that the punishment fits the crime will be a top priority, should he get elected to DeKalb County State's Attorney, says Democratic candidate Chuck Rose.
“I have been walking the streets of communities all over DeKalb County, knocking on doors and meeting constituents. One of the most common concerns I hear is that criminals are getting off too easily. I will work to change that,” Rose says. “This is not just a campaign promise, this is my history. This is what I did as an Assistant State's Attorney, and I can tell you from experience that it works.”
During his more than eight years working as an Assistant State's Attorney in DeKalb and Jo Daviess Counties, Rose earned a reputation as a prosecutor not afraid to press for tough sentences, whether a case was argued before a jury or a plea bargain was negotiated.
“The ultimate job of the State's Attorney’s office is to make DeKalb County a safer place. One of the most basic ways to do that is to work to ensure that convicted criminals are taken off the street for as long as possible,” Rose says .
Of course, Rose said , the State's Attorney does not ultimately have control over sentencing, but they can come to the table pursuing tougher sentences that keep criminals in prison for as long as possible.
“Ultimately it is up to the judge,” Rose says. “But the State's Attorney’s office has the ability to start the conversation suggesting that the judge apply a sentence closer to the maximum than the minimum, and that is what the office will do if I am elected.”
“Especially in instances related to violent crime, I see no reason not to. Pursuing longer sentences in those cases signals that we are serious about keeping our communities safe by working to ensure that convicted criminals are serving a sentence that reflects the severity of the pain and suffering they have caused,” Rose says.
Of course, pursuing that course may prompt more criminals to opt for jury trials, which is fine by Rose.
“If a criminal turns down the offer, we bring to the table pre-trial, that’s fine by me. Once they say they want a jury trial, we will be ready to try the case. We will show up in court ready to pursue the maximum sentence. The word will soon get around to criminals and defense lawyers that we are not here to cut sweetheart deals and are willing to take the case to a judge and jury,” Rose says .