The Public Servant

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers

June 2015 • Volume 16 • Number 3 •

Brush up on your jury selection skills! The newest title in the ISBA's Practice Ready Series, Picking a Civil Jury: A Guide for Illinois Trial Lawyers, is specifically designed to be a must-have resource for new and more-experienced attorneys alike! Go to http://www.isba.org/store/books/pickingaciviljury for details.

In This Issue

From the Chair

By Kevin Lovellette

A recap of the Committee's work this past year from Chair Kevin Lovellette.

When the term “shall” is directory: The Illinois Supreme Court reinforces the presumption that statutory language that issues a procedural command to a government official is directory, rather than mandatory

By Barbara Goeben

In light of these decisions, a trial court litigator must consider prejudice when arguing about a procedural violation of a statute. Further, appellate attorneys should also consider this precedent in defending an alleged procedural violation by a governmental official.

Time to rethink absolute prosecutorial discretion?

By Evan Bruno

Prosecutors should never lose sight of their sacred duty to do the right thing. This applies not only to prosecuting criminals, but also— perhaps even more so—deciding whether to prosecute in the first place.

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January 21 | Online

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for subscribers’ personal use only; redistribution is prohibited. Copyright Illinois State Bar Association. Statements or expressions of opinion appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Association or Editors, and likewise the publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered unless it is specifically stated in the ad that there is such approval or endorsement.