Prosecuting Attorney of St. Joseph County (60th Judicial Circuit) is an elected official who represents the state in criminal cases. They decide whether to file charges, prosecute crimes in court, and work with law enforcement to seek justice and protect public safety. The role serves a four-year term.
Occupation/Current Position
Chief Deputy Prosecutor, St. Joseph County
Education
Doctor of Juris Prudence - Indiana University, Indianapolis
Campaign Phone
574-231-5195
Campaign Email
amy@cressy4prosecutor.com
Community Safety: Criminal actions must have meaningful consequences.
Violent criminals and habitual offenders need to be in prison and not roaming our streets. Period.
Non-violent criminals must be held accountable. Where it is appropriate, they may be given opportunities to break their cycle of poor choices before it consumes them. Shoplifters are not shooters and if they are willing to put in the effort to change – I will work with them.
Justice & Equity: We have to foster trust in the judicial process and law enforcement through community engagement. That means being present and connecting with our neighbors. We cannot earn people’s trust from the 10th Floor of the County Building. My Office will be a true presence in St. Joseph County so folks know we are a resource.
Law Enforcement: From 2016 to 2020, I was embedded with the St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit. Along with investigators from the three major local police agencies, we targeted violent drug traffickers associated with overdose deaths. That experience taught me how to work a complex criminal case from the ground up. Most notably - “Operation King of the Hills” brought together personnel from 15 local, state and federal police agencies and fully dismantled a largescale narcotic trafficking ring.
Administrative: In 2021, I was made Chief Deputy / Chief of Staff and second in command to the Elected. My responsibilities widened from handling criminal cases to overseeing the entire office including personnel and budgeting.
Most of my career has been spent working with those struggling with substance abuse. Every addict has a different “bottom” to hit before the switch flips and the decision is made to make a meaningful change.
For some addicts, “bottom” is losing the respect of family or losing a job. Unfortunately, some must go through the criminal justice process – up to and including executed time – before that switch clicks.
That is why Problem Solving Courts like Drug Court are incredible resources for addicts which allow them to confront their substance abuse, get supervised treatment, and the chance to avoid a criminal conviction.
Criminal defendants who put in the work and successfully complete Drug Court programing are less likely to reoffend.
Our diversion programs hold low-level / non-violent offenders accountable while presenting them an opportunity to work their way out of the hole they dug for themselves.
Whether by performing community services, getting a valid driver’s license, undergoing mental health, or substance abuse treatment, or job training – the offender gets an opportunity but not a free pass.
If the offender is successful, they can emerge without a criminal conviction. That means more opportunities to be gainfully employed and contribute to the community rather than be stuck in cycle of criminal behavior.
The Prosecutor’s job is to seek justice within the confines of the law. We are not merely case-processing conviction engines We are problem solvers who serve community safety. We pursue criminal charges only where they are based upon strong, legally admissible evidence.
We respect the rights of all – victims, witnesses, and defendants.
We are involved community partners available to assist with addressing criminal activity both inside and outside of the courthouse.
We are not partisan in our decisions but must exercise sound discretion and independent judgement without bias.
Simply put, the Prosecutor protects the innocent, convicts the guilty and serves justice.
Prosecutors have broad discretionary power when deciding whether to file charges. In every case, our deputies are required to ask three questions:
Was a crime committed - Is there a law in Indiana that makes this action a crime?
Can I prove it? - Is there sufficient admissible evidence that proves each and every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt?
Should I? - Is it in the interest of justice to charge the case? Does charging one offense over another make the community safer? Is it the right thing to do?
I believe the key is expanding this analysis beyond the charging stage. I will require the assigned deputy to revisit this inquiry throughout the life cycle of a criminal case – including the trial and post-conviction.
