Name: Jamie Mosser
Position for which you are a candidate:
Kane County States Attorney
Why are you seeking this position?
I am running to change how we prosecute cases. Having been a prosecutor in New Orleans and Kane County, I was able to make an impact on my community. In every division I was assigned to, I strove to make a difference. I evaluated every case by the facts presented and the criminal history of the defendant. I listened to the victim in the case along with the defense attorney. I would then change my offer based on this information. It was important for me to do justice in every case. What was appropriate for one defendant did not mean that it was the same for another. My goal was always safety, giving victims a voice in the proceedings, and getting to the root of the criminal problem. For too long, we have used the threat of incarceration as a means of preventing criminal behavior. However, we learned mass incarceration does not work. We criminalized addiction and mental health issues and made it too easy for people of color and those living in poverty to be targeted. We must strengthen our current diversion programs and bring in new programs that help curb criminal behavior. It is important to allow defendants to take accountability for their actions while giving them the chance of having the case dismissed. We need to focus on sending individuals to treatment instead of forcing them to navigate the criminal justice system. We must refer individuals to services to help with housing, job placement and education. Based on my experience, I can bring true reform to Kane County!
What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
I began my legal career as a prosecutor in New Orleans in 2002. While in NOLA, I was assigned to the juvenile division. I prosecuted cases from misdemeanor battery to homicide. I was a prosecutor in the adult felony court for three months prior to be assigned back to the juvenile court to lead a federal gun grant. In 2005, after moving back to Illinois, I accepted a job as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the in Kane County. I prosecuted traffic cases to homicide and had been assigned to the DV, DUI, Drug Rehabilitative Court, Special Prosecution (arson and auto theft) and felonies until I was promoted to the head of the DV Unit. In 2015, I left the office to open my own firm with a friend and colleague. At the Klein & Mosser Law Firm, I handled cases in family law, civil law, and criminal defense. I continued to volunteer in the DV/SA community by providing pro bono legal services to victims. In 2017, I won the Kane County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award. In 2017, I closed my legal practice and went to work for Prairie State Legal Services as a staff attorney. I was assigned to assist victims of DV/SA with family law cases, protective order matters, Title IX hearings, victim advocacy, and civil cases. In 2020, I left PSLS and opened a firm with my husband. I have taken cases in real estate, civil law, election law, family law, and criminal defense. I am involved in our community through volunteer work and by sitting on three not for profit boards.
What will be your highest priorities if elected?
The greatest challenge will be bridging the mistrust between the community and law enforcement/prosecution. Our criminal justice system is broken with slow movement towards reform. We must provide transparency and accountability. I will create a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program. It is important to identify individuals who are committing crimes due to mental health issues, drug addiction issues, or issues related to poverty or lack of education at the time of the incident. Instead of putting the individual into the criminal justice system, we can refer them to services. I will create a Community Prosecution Unit that will work with the community and police to provide communication, transparency, and accountability. A prosecutor will be assigned to each city, town or village in our County – preferably a prosecutor living within that community. The prosecutor will attend meetings, provide presentations and be the liaison for the police department. We can then institute community-focused crime strategies particular to that community and their needs. I will create a Citizen’s Review Board will be comprised of seven Kane County citizens that will review all reports and evidence related to officers charged with criminal offenses or charged cases that involve police officer misconduct. This Board would operate independently from the State’s Attorney’s Office. This Board will publicly state whether they are in agreement or not with the actions of the office.
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