“No judge takes the bench with a set philosophy. Rather a philosophy takes development based on that judge’s decisions.” – Judge Robert Livas

By the time Judge Livas heard the Drick Case his rulings had become his philosophy.

The Drick case was one in which the defendants were the Joliet Fire Chief and his wife. Accused of embezzling the life savings of an elderly woman who died before trial, the Drick’s were found guilty after a 5 week trial on all counts. When at sentencing, the argument became that probation should be given because he had served his community as a fire chief. Judge Livas bluntly rejected the suggestion with the words, “The men who went into those buildings on 9/11 were firemen. Knowing what was going to happen they went anyhow. Compared to them no matter what office you hold you were never a fireman.”

Judge Livas’ philosophy is simple – the law is designed to protect those who are most vulnerable – children, women, the elderly, and animals. As he has said, “Each crime is different, each defendant, each victim, different. But the goal remains the same – no more victims and a judge has to be willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.