Organ seeks Vermillion County Prosecutor's role

As a criminal defense attorney, Jim Organ enjoys serving the "underdogs and little guys and standing by those who need someone to speak up for them."

However, the long time attorney is seeking a different role, as the Republican is challenging Democratic incumbent Bruce Aukerman for the Vermillion County Prosecutor's role. 

After starting with Steve Trueblood at his law firm in 1992, Organ has handled cases dealing with criminal law and child support, while working with people to make Vermillion County safer. 

"I became a lawyer to help people. I decided to run for Prosecutor because so many people came to me and spoke about their concerns about how things have been going and asked me to help. Not just one person, not just a handful, not just one group and not just from one area. People reached out to me who come from different professions, as well as those who can't work. People reached out who have known others with cases that they believed were not handled fairly, as well as victims and those who know 

victims who felt the same. Male and female, young and old. Bottom line, many people gave me input, and I decided this was the best way for me to help people here at my home county," Organ told The Parke County Post. .

Organ said he believes he is well suited to help bring "positive change" to the office and move things forward. 

"This job is in my wheelhouse. My legal experience in the Wabash Valley in high and low volume courts goes back for more than 30 years, including criminal law case management, successful criminal jury trials including charges for serious felonies, and child support and paternity law experience. That combined with my work ethic, and our ties to the Vermillion-Parke community, just fits the position. We can do some really good things here and make Vermillion County safe and better," he said. 

Organ said the fundamental role of the prosecutor's office is to enforce criminal laws, ensure accountability, and achieve justice. He believes that for those things to happen, prosecutors must act within their discretion based on the facts and evidence presented and the law, without fear or favor. 

"Seems like a simple mission, but a lot goes into getting that done. Seeking accountability means focusing on protecting the public and serving justice. It means assisting and reviewing law enforcement efforts to protect the public and their investigations. It means communicating and listening to victims and families in case management and raising their voices to be heard. It means communicating effectively with the Court, Probation, Community Corrections, and providers. It means evaluating and cultivating options in office and case management to make things move more efficiently. It means assisting law enforcement in training. It means maintaining an effective budget to get things done while maintaining costs and working with the council and commissioners to get all that done. It means communicating effectively with lawyers so that discovery can be obtained, and resolve issues if possible, while still serving the ends of justice. And it also means addressing child support and paternity matters so children are supported," said Organ, adding that the best prosecutor's offices have certain important qualities. 

He said the best offices understand their job is to serve the public first and foremost, and they do so with an eye on achieving justice. In addition, he said they work hard and together, and they have jury trial experience. 

"Office drama is avoided because there should be more than enough work to keep people busy. In short, they do all the things I've mentioned here. Those are things that my office will do," Organ said. 
Organ said it is important the public understand that prosecutors enforce criminal laws and do not make them. 

"Prosecutors have more than enough to keep busy by enforcing the law, and other parts of the government actually have the duty to pass and make laws and ordinances, including our state legislators, county commissioners, county council representatives, and so on. However, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council is involved with lawmakers on criminal law issues, and prosecutors can and do voice support for criminal law changes," he added.

The veteran attorney said he has voiced support for several changes related to criminal law during the campaign, including: bail reform to keep more high risk offenders in serious cases from being released while cases are pending, legislative efforts to enhance the offenses of reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter to Level 4 felonies to increase the possible sentence on a conviction and make sentencing fairer, compared to other crimes, and he has supported giving Indiana prosecutors enhanced sentencing options for serious violent crimes and sex predators, including the option to pursue the death penalty for rape and child molestation in the most heinous cases with clear and undeniable evidence. 

"I've also supported funding locally for Susie’s Place. Susie’s Place is a forensic interview group that does an outstanding job here in the Wabash Valley in child abuse investigations. Their efforts help local law enforcement and prosecutors address those cases much more effectively," he said.

Regarding challenges facing the office, Organ said two of the prominent issues he has talked about for months are communication issues and handling substance abuse prosecutions. 

"Communication has been a huge issue. Communication issues can impact any type of case, and at any level. Poor communication negatively impacts so many things in what prosecutors do. From reviewing investigations, to case preparation, to case management, to working with victims, and other things. Poor communication is like putting bad gas in an engine again and again, and still expecting it to run right. It’s just not going to happen. Impacts from poor communication include backlogs and bottlenecks, inconsistent results, and decisions that people can see as fundamentally unfair. Backlogs, bottlenecks, and communication issues have been described to me by lawyers, both defense and other prosecutors, for years. Lawyers working in the court still describe them. These were well after backlogs that happened because of Covid-19, which was 6-7 years ago. And simply waiting for those accused of crimes to all ask for speedy trials doesn’t really help that as a lasting solution. Judge Wrede has certainly tried to positively impact the backlogs during his time on the bench. He works hard. Ultimately, the work structure set up in the Prosecutor’s office slows things down. And when criminal cases get backed up, other cases can, too. Effective communication has to involve a team effort so that police, lawyers, prosecutors, and others are getting the information needed to make the best decisions they can. Solid access to getting back with lawyers and getting things done is key, with a focus on getting things done and moving things forward, rather than one person focusing on something like “chest thumping,"" Organ said. 

He said communication also means "effective outreach" to victims and families on old and cold cases, where people have not been talked to for long periods of time. 

"There have been serious cases that have happened where those involved for victims believe they have simply been ignored. We will actively review those cases. Communication also means being willing to talk about expanding options on lower-level cases to more effectively address cutting repeat offenses that include backgrounds of illegal substance use, and do more to limit the demand for drugs," Organ said.

When it comes to substance abuse cases, Organ supports attacking the "supply side" of the drug problem by seeking real, serious prison time for drug dealers. 

"That includes options that are already being used by Republican judges and prosecutors and/or recommended by our Indiana Supreme Court for those who qualify. Ultimately, the goal is accountability, recovery, and fewer repeat offenders. We lack any options for women. Those options actually exist, they are nearby, they are well-known or should be well-known to any prosecutor, and some are options that can also serve men. Instead, in Vermillion County there has been a reliance on one option, which has only served men. Places like Next Step, Odyssey House, and Phoenix House can also be effective options and serve both men and women. Having more of those options, along with Truman House, increases bed space, helps to cut wait times and potential jail over-crowding issues, and encourages more quality in services.
Having options with more court oversight, including a Veterans Court or other problem-solving courts used by Republican judges and prosecutors, also helps with compliance by those involved. However, none of these additional options are being used. They have actually been opposed here, in spite of them being readily available and well- known. That all needs to change," Organ said.

He said he also strongly supports fiscal management that seeks to work with the County Council and Commissioners on getting the "biggest bang for the buck" that they can get as the office seeks justice in all cases. 

"The Commissioners and Council work hard to provide services and budgets while controlling costs and taxes, and that process does not need to be fractured if it can be helped. Budgets can be tight, but I will work with our Commissioners and Council to get what we need," Organ said. 

With the General Election right around the corner, Organ believes he has the overall legal background and experience to get things done more effectively, pointing to his 34 years of criminal jury trial experience, success in major felony jury trials, and 34 years of criminal case management experience in high and low volume courts. 
"Just in the number of years alone, my combined legal experience in criminal and support law is more than double what is being offered otherwise. As for the number of felony criminal jury trials, my understanding is that my experience dwarfs what may be the case otherwise. I
understand the last criminal jury trial here was successfully tried by a deputy prosecutor, who originally was a former defense lawyer. Before that, not sure when the last one was, or when the elected prosecutor tried one. We will support tough, serious sentences for all serious felonies. Serious violent felonies like murder, attempted murder, arson, rape, child molesting, and aggravated battery; other crimes against children, including sex abuse and crimes to exploit children; crimes against our seniors; crimes against first responders; and crimes involving habitual offenders; will be handled with all available input from victims and the investigations from law enforcement and others in support, and they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If you do the crime, you do the time. My vision is for justice and accountability for each case under the law. We will work with police and other prosecutors on their investigations and case reviews to get more effective and cut bottlenecks and backlogs in case management that I mentioned earlier. We will also actively review old and cold cases, reaching out to police, victims, and their families to seek justice in lingering cases. I will also rely on a work ethic that was originally cultivated by my family that focuses on hard work, smart work, teamwork, and public service. Those qualities will help us set up team framework that will enhance communication in case preparation and case management so that justice can be served, cases can move forward better, victims and families can be heard," Organ said. 

He said if voters are looking for a fresh energy and perspective, he is their candidate. 

"When all is said and done, I offer fresh energy and perspectives that not only serve to have a safe and protected Vermillion County, but will also aggressively tackle issues that have existed for so long. Bottom line is, each person’s vote matters. We can move forward with positive change, and we can do that together with people’s support. I am ready to roll up my sleeves, harness all my experience, and be our voice for justice in Vermillion County," Organ said.