***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2016

ELKHART COUNTY OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY TRANSITION

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

On November 8, 2016 Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney Curtis T. Hill, Jr. was elected to serve as the 43rd Attorney General for the State of Indiana. Hill earned 62% of the votes cast in defeating retired Lake County Judge Lorenzo Arredando. Hill’s vote total not only led the ticket but also represented a new state-wide record for the most votes cast for any candidate in Indiana history.

“I am very grateful to the voters of this State who embraced a message of courageous leadership and provided me with their trust and confidence in leading the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Indiana”, said Hill. As a result of the election, Hill will be submitting his resignation, effective the date he assumes office as Attorney General in January 2017. As his resignation will come with two full years remaining in his fourth term as Prosecuting Attorney, it will be necessary for a successor to be chosen to fill out the remainder of Hill’s term.

Under Indiana law, the successor is chosen by caucus of the Elkhart County Republican Precinct Committeemen to be convened by the Republican Party Chairman. It is at that caucus where the Precinct Committeemen will vote and choose a successor who will then qualify and take the oath of office upon Hill’s vacation.

“In 2003, after fourteen (14) years as a part-time deputy prosecutor under Elkhart County Prosecutor, Michael K. Cosentino, I took over the helm of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with 78% of the vote and a clear vision to transform the office into a full-time aggressive law enforcement agency that would focus on keeping criminals accountable and the community safe. It has been my clear objective to establish a foundation in this office that is firmly rooted in the principals of law and order and that would serve as the template for criminal justice in the future. I am very pleased to acknowledge that the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is known throughout the State of Indiana as the standard for effective prosecutions in this State and beyond.

In building upon the foundation established with this office over the past fourteen years, it is imperative that my successor be possessed with a deep and abiding commitment to justice and fair play as demonstrated by a career and experience that evidences these qualities. My successor should be a highly skilled trial prosecutor with an unmatched record of accomplishment in prosecuting major felons and leading law enforcement efforts. My successor must be a top tier administrator who can oversee the supervision and training of deputy prosecutors as well as promoting the vision of the various divisions of the office in securing justice throughout the community.

In 2003, I chose as my Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Vicki Elaine Becker, who has served me and more importantly the people of this community, faithfully for the past fourteen (14) years. Ms. Becker was chosen over lawyers more senior to her, because I recognized in her a superior intelligence and tenacious spirit for prosecution and the search for the truth. Ms. Becker possesses all the qualities that I believe are necessary to not only maintain what we have established in my tenure, but to move beyond and meet the needs for justice in the future. In fact, she is the only lawyer who is qualified to seamlessly transition into this office as Prosecuting Attorney and provides the level of prosecutorial leadership that this community deserves and has come to expect.

As the citizens of this community have honored me with their support for the past fourteen (14) years as Prosecuting Attorney, I am pleased to recommend to the community and to the precinct committeemen, who will select my successor, that Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Vicki Elaine Becker of the Elkhart County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, has my full confidence and support as the most capable, qualified and experienced person to serve as Elkhart County’s next Prosecuting Attorney”, said Hill.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”