Judge Joseph Hettel of Ottawa, IL; convicted drunk

The state of California presented Maggie Fleming with a law license in 1994 after she graduated from the University of Chicago Law School.

In 2006, Illinois Supreme Curt Justice Thomas L. Kilbride recommended that Joey be appointed as a LaSalle County Circuit Court judge. Joey didn’t receive the appointment because he was the most qualified attorney in the LaSalle County area. He received the appointment because he had proven to be a reliable lackey for the local political hacks.

In one matter, Joey Hettel drove a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol; and while driving under the influence of alcohol on that date, he collided into a parked vehicle, causing significant damage to both vehicles and a nearby utility pole. 

At the scene of of the accident, Joey refused to take any field sobriety tests; and he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. After being taken to the Ottawa Police State, Joey refused to take a breathalyzer test and also refused to provide a blood or urine sample. He was later issued citations for driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, using an electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle, and improper lane change.

Subsequently, Joey pled guilty to driving under the influence and as a result the other citations were dismissed. Joey was sentenced to two years of court supervision and fined $2,000.

And lastly, Joey was ordered to attend the Drunk Driving Impact Panel. Rumor has it that Joey opted to attend the Mel Gibson Drunk Driving Impact Panel located in West Hollywood, California.

As we speak (ca. October 2015), Joey continues to sit as a LaSalle County Circuit Court judge (when sober only) in Ottawa, Illinois.