Candidate Profile: David Fields
Name: David Fields
Age: 38
Hometown: Damiansville
Occupation: Clinton County Assistant State’s Attorney
Position seeking: Clinton County State’s Attorney
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Website or social media page: facebook.com/FieldsforSA
Why are you running and why should people vote for you? I come from a law enforcement family, so I have always been interested in Criminal Law and the opportunities that public service provides to give back to the community. Starting in law school, I interned at a State’s Attorney’s Office and since becoming a lawyer, I have worked exclusively in criminal prosecutions. Over the past decade, I have prosecuted thousands of cases, and specifically as a Clinton County Assistant State’s Attorney, I have handled every type of case in the County. I believe the knowledge and experience I have gained from my years of prosecution makes me that the most qualified person to be the next Clinton County State’s Attorney. Experience in prosecuting cases cannot be overlooked. When it comes to matters of public safety, the County deserves a State’s Attorney that knows how to deal with complex criminal proceedings and can effectively prosecute the individuals that do the most harm. In comparing all the candidates, I am the only one that currently prosecutes criminal and juvenile cases, and my years of prosecution experience is more than the other candidates combined. Finally, I reside with my wife and three children in Clinton County, and I believe this is my opportunity to give back to the community that I wish to raise my children.
What would your goals be, if elected? The Clinton County State’s Attorney’s Office needs to be an effective and efficient Office. Too often, however, cases linger for too long in the Courtroom. I would make it a priority to not only seek justice, but to do it in an expedited matter whenever possible. Another important goal for our Office would be to strive for better communication with all persons involved in a case. Each victim deserves to be heard in a prosecution, and it is important that our Office takes the time to discuss all aspects of a case with the people that are affected. Finally, the Clinton County State’s Attorney’s Office should have a goal to make certain that violent and repeat offenders are thoroughly prosecuted. I would ensure that these defendants are receiving sentences that are appropriate for their conduct and criminal histories.
What issues are most pressing for your constituency? The attack on citizens’ personal property and land has escalated in recent years. Unfortunately, the sense of security of being able to keep our cars and doors unlocked no longer seems to exist. People in the County want to be able to trust that their homes and property will remain safe. One way our Office can seek to combat this situation is to ensure that we seek harsh consequences for defendants that commit these types of crimes. Furthermore, the influx of drugs into the County has been one of the motivations for individuals to commit these types of crimes. By working with law enforcement to prosecute the individuals that are delivering drugs in the County, we can work not only to reduce drug activity within the County, but also the other crimes that are committed due to drug abuse.
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 1:28 PM.