On the Record (Tom Briddick)

PRINCETON — Bureau County Assistant State’s Attorney Tom Briddick went On the Record with the Bureau County Republican to talk about his new role in county government.

As Bureau County assistant state’s attorney, what are your main duties and responsibilities?

As an assistant state’s attorney, I handle a wide variety of cases ranging from felonies such as burglary to misdemeanors and traffic matters, including driving under the influence cases and speeding tickets.

What are some of the opportunities associated with your position?

Working here gives me the opportunity to help victims of crimes and furthering the goal of the office which is keeping Bureau County a safe community for all of its residents.

What would you consider some of the more difficult aspects of your job?

Balancing the line between getting a result that victims are happy with and also a just sentence for people charged with a crime.

How long have you been an attorney, and how has the career changed during that time span?

I have been an attorney for almost 17 years. The laws are constantly changing, so keeping up with these changes are always a challenge.

Why did you decide you wanted to go into law?

I always wanted to become a lawyer. I felt that being a lawyer would be an excellent way to make a difference in the community and help those who needed help.

What are your ties to Bureau County?

I am born and raised in Spring Valley and still live there. I graduated from Hall High School in 1993, and my dad, Dave Briddick, spent his entire career teaching at Hall.

Regarding the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office, what do you see as its strongest characteristics?

It is the people in the office. Geno Caffarini is a dedicated state’s attorney, and the office has a great and knowledgeable staff, including Dan Anderson and Donna Engels, who are all great to work with.

What types of crimes are on the rise in Bureau County?

Felony narcotics cases and burglary cases seem to be on the rise.

What types of crimes are not as prevalent today as they used to be?

Driving under the influence cases seem to be on the decline.

What is the most difficult part of prosecuting a case?

Making sure all of the witnesses are lined up to testify when needed and all of the evidence is ready for use at trial.

What kind of comments do you have about others in the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office, Bureau County law enforcement and all the people with whom you must work to accomplish your job?

The people in the state’s attorney’s office are great at their jobs and know the law very well. The police officers that I have worked with in Bureau County do an excellent job with their investigations and getting information to successfully prosecute the cases. Our local law enforcement officers are very conscientious and thorough.

What are the three things in which you excel regarding your job?

Dealing professionally with victims, defense attorneys, and police officers.

What advice would you give a young person who might want to pursue a law degree?

Pick an area of the law that you enjoy. There are a lot of choices in the legal field and choosing an area that you enjoy and have a passion about is key.