EXPERIENCED 
FAIR HONEST
FAIR HONEST
Jacqueline was born and raised on the southside of Chicago in the West Lawn neighborhood. She attended St. Turibius elementary school and went on to Mother McAuley High School. Jacqueline graduated from Illinois State University and that is where she found her passion and interest in law. While there, she obtained two Bachelors’ degrees; one in Criminal Justice and the other in Political Science. She achieved her Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in the part-time program, while working two jobs, one at a civil law firm and the other, waitressing at a neighborhood restaurant.
Jacqueline’s knowledge and application of the law began as early on as a college student. When she returned home from college in the summers, she worked at the City of Chicago Liquor License Appeals Division. During her time at John Marshall Law school, Jacqueline participated in the Fair Housing Clinic and also studied abroad. While attending law school, she began working at a civil law firm focusing on personal injury law. At this firm, Jacqueline was exposed to various areas of the law and she gained insight into real estate transactions and probate law.
Jacqueline began her career as a licensed attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Her first assignment was in the Child Support Enforcement Division where she worked with administrative hearing officers in establishing paternity and obtaining child support and medical orders to aid custodial parents. While in the Juvenile Justice Bureau, as an ASA in the Child Protection Division, Jacqueline worked to protect and ensure the safety of abused and neglected children. This assignment was one that she truly appreciated due to her lifelong desire to help children. In the Juvenile Delinquency division, Jacqueline was able to apply the balanced and restorative approach to justice, encouraging juvenile offenders to make amends to their victims and to repair the harm that was done to the community.
Jacqueline’s knowledge and application of the law began as early on as a college student. When she returned home from college in the summers, she worked at the City of Chicago Liquor License Appeals Division. During her time at John Marshall Law school, Jacqueline participated in the Fair Housing Clinic and also studied abroad. While attending law school, she began working at a civil law firm focusing on personal injury law. At this firm, Jacqueline was exposed to various areas of the law and she gained insight into real estate transactions and probate law.
Jacqueline began her career as a licensed attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Her first assignment was in the Child Support Enforcement Division where she worked with administrative hearing officers in establishing paternity and obtaining child support and medical orders to aid custodial parents. While in the Juvenile Justice Bureau, as an ASA in the Child Protection Division, Jacqueline worked to protect and ensure the safety of abused and neglected children. This assignment was one that she truly appreciated due to her lifelong desire to help children. In the Juvenile Delinquency division, Jacqueline was able to apply the balanced and restorative approach to justice, encouraging juvenile offenders to make amends to their victims and to repair the harm that was done to the community.
Throughout her career, Jacqueline has handled hundreds of cases, including murders, sexual assaults and various other felonies. She also focused on Internet Crimes Against Children reviewing search warrants for electronic devices as well as reviewing the evidence and preparing the charging documents for child pornography and sexual assault cases. Her duties included working with and supporting victims and their families.
She has handled an extremely heavy caseload with as many as 500 cases in active litigation at one time. She has negotiated plea agreements with opposing counsel that focus on the best possible outcome for the victims and the community.
For the past five years, Jacqueline has been a trial specialist in the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit within the Felony Trial Division. She is independently responsible for complex cases which involve the most vulnerable victims, the children. She is faced with challenges coordinating DNA testing and analysis and examining mental health issues for victims and offenders.
Jacqueline is always eager to assist fellow ASA’s with questions and strategies regarding SADV issues. Additionally, she handles cases involving Sexually Violent Persons and Sexually Dangerous Persons and is dedicated to keeping the public safe from the most violent of sex offenders.
Jacqueline participates in ‘Lawyers in the Classroom’ by attending a middle school and educating the students about constitutional issues. She also lectures about sexual assault and consent, to high school students with the hopes of educating them to ensure safe communities.
Jacqueline currently lives with her husband and two children and is a parishioner at Nativity Church. Jacqueline spends her free time volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and coaching t-ball and soccer.
Jacqueline’s neighborhood was made up of city workers, police officers, firefighters and union workers. She was surrounded by hardworking family and friends, which had a substantial impact on her. Her husband is a proud member of the plumber’s union and many family members belong to the Fraternal Order of Police and the Chicago Firefighters Union.
Jacqueline considers Chicago her home and the people of Cook County are her family.
She has handled an extremely heavy caseload with as many as 500 cases in active litigation at one time. She has negotiated plea agreements with opposing counsel that focus on the best possible outcome for the victims and the community.
For the past five years, Jacqueline has been a trial specialist in the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit within the Felony Trial Division. She is independently responsible for complex cases which involve the most vulnerable victims, the children. She is faced with challenges coordinating DNA testing and analysis and examining mental health issues for victims and offenders.
Jacqueline is always eager to assist fellow ASA’s with questions and strategies regarding SADV issues. Additionally, she handles cases involving Sexually Violent Persons and Sexually Dangerous Persons and is dedicated to keeping the public safe from the most violent of sex offenders.
Jacqueline participates in ‘Lawyers in the Classroom’ by attending a middle school and educating the students about constitutional issues. She also lectures about sexual assault and consent, to high school students with the hopes of educating them to ensure safe communities.
Jacqueline currently lives with her husband and two children and is a parishioner at Nativity Church. Jacqueline spends her free time volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and coaching t-ball and soccer.
Jacqueline’s neighborhood was made up of city workers, police officers, firefighters and union workers. She was surrounded by hardworking family and friends, which had a substantial impact on her. Her husband is a proud member of the plumber’s union and many family members belong to the Fraternal Order of Police and the Chicago Firefighters Union.
Jacqueline considers Chicago her home and the people of Cook County are her family.
Paid for by Committee to Elect Jacqueline Griffin
A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website (elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.
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