PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans on gun court

Released On 10/31/2012

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans issued the following statement in response to inquiries on establishing a gun court in Cook County:

Noting he received a telephone call from the Preckwinkle administration late on Tuesday, Chief Judge Evans said, “At around 4 p.m. yesterday, I first learned that county officials were proposing that I establish a gun court in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Beyond that, I did not receive any substantive information.

“Today, I learned that there will be an advisory committee instead to study gun court models.

“Before I can consider such a request, it will be necessary for me to obtain input from the judges and the other criminal justice system stakeholders. The creation of any specialized court is, by definition, a collaborative effort which requires assurances that all individuals coming before such a court are afforded due process. The proposal to create a specialty court also demands extensive research so that an informed decision can be made.

“In light of the proposal by county officials, I have directed my staff to begin studying the gun court approach. I also will reach out to our judges and the offices of the Cook County state’s attorney and public defender so that, together, we can determine whether a gun court is in the best interest of the public and the court system.”