History of the Office
Historic Timeline
1819-1827 – Duties were performed by a circuit attorney, appointed by the Governor
1827 – Replaced by an officer “styled and called state’s attorney” appointed by the Governor for a four-year term. The state’s attorney was appointed by the Governor until 1835
From 1835-1849, Appointee of the General Assembly for a two-year term.
1849 – Elective officer of the circuit district electorate. His services were expanded to include the newly-created county court.
1849 – Elected by the district to a four-year term; however, the first term was only for three years, ending in 1852.
1852 to present- Elective office in and for each county for a four-year term. The state’s attorney receives his commission from the Governor for the tenure of his office.
*Source – Historical Records Survey, Chicago, Illinois (Jackson County –Murphysboro No.39) March 1939
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Jackson County State’s Attorneys
![jc](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/jc.jpg)
Joseph A. Cervantez
2020-Present
![carr](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/carr.jpg)
Michael C. Carr
2012 -2020
![wepsiec](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wepsiec.jpg)
Michael L. Wepsiec
1993-2012
![grace](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/grace.jpg)
W. Charles Grace
1988-1993
![clemmons](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/clemmons.jpg)
John R. Clemons
1980-1988
![schwartz2](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/schwartz2.jpg)
William G. Schwartz
1979-1980
![hood2](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hood2.jpg)
Howard L. Hood
1972-1979
Richard E. Richman
1964-1972
William G. Ridgeway
1956-1964
John G. Gilbert
1948-1956
Glenn O. Brown
1940-1948
C. Edgar White
1932-1940
Fletcher Lewis
1928-1932
John H. Searing
1920-1928
![glenn](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/glenn.jpg)
Otis Ferguson Glenn
1916-1920
William A. Schwartz
1912-1916
![levy2](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/levy2.jpg)
Isaac K. Levy
1908 – 1912
Otis Ferguson Glenn
1907-1908
John Venable
1900-1907
John Maurice Herbert
1892-1900
Richard T. Lightfoot
1888-1892
![mcelvain](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/mcelvain.jpg)
Robert J. McElvain
1884 – 1888
William Augustus Schwartz
1880-1884
![lemma](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/lemma.jpg)
William A. Lemma
1876-1880
Abraham R. Pugh
1872-1876
Col Robert R. Townes
1868
George W. Wall
1864 or 1866
Monroe C. Crawford
1862
![logan](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/logan.jpg)
John A. Logan
1854
Samuel D. Marshall
1837
![Simple Seal 512 jackson county state's attorney](https://www.jacksoncountystatesattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Simple-Seal-512.png)
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618-687-7200
Hours of Operation
8am - 4pm
Monday through Friday
Closed on all Federal
and State holidays.