Hermann leaves office in Bureau County

Seeking justice for victims while treating the accused fairly can be a tough line to walk, but it was the path former Bureau County State’s Attorney Pat Hermann tried to take.

Hermann’s last day as prosecutor was Saturday. He was appointed to the position in 1998 and says there were many changes to state law between then and now.

Hermann says the rules for prosecuting DUI, domestic battery and assault cases were made more complete, something he says was helpful. And his office had new territory to learn with the advent of computer and internet crimes.

Hermann, like all states attorneys in Illinois, lost the option of seeking the death penalty with a change in state law several years ago. He says ending the death penalty took a very serious plea advantage from the state.

The next phase of Hermann’s career will be working as a personal injury attorney with an office in Peru.

Geno Caffarini is the acting States Attorney until the Bureau County Board makes an appointment. Hermann recommended Cafffarini for the job and says Caffarini is very calm, a good quality for a prosecutor.

Caffarini to act as a temporary Bureau County States Attorney

An attorney that’s been a familiar face at the Bureau County Courthouse for 17 years will be the acting States Attorney beginning February 1. Geno Caffarini will take over for Pat Hermann.

Hermann recently announced that he was resigning from his position as States Attorney to go into private practice. He told the Bureau County Board that he wanted Caffarini to be his replacement. The county board will pick Hermann’s replacement, which will have to be a Democrat.

Caffarini says his appointment is temporary but he would accept the job if appointed by the county board.

Caffarini is also an attorney with Raccuglia and Associates.