SCOTT LIPKE HIRED IN PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

JACKSON -- Scott Lipke, an assistant prosecutor for Cape Girardeau County for a year and a half, will be returning to the prosecutor's office July 12.

His return marks a non-traditional turn of events. Lipke first joined the prosecutor's office in March 1997, coming to the job from private practice. He went back to private practice a year and a half later, but now has decided to return to public service.

Traditionally, young lawyers gain trial experience for a couple of years at a prosecuting attorney's office and then move on to private practice.

"I got a great deal of satisfaction out of serving the people at large," Lipke said. "Anyone who knows me, knows that's what I want to do. As an assistant prosecutor, you are representing the citizens of Cape Girardeau County."

He will have an opportunity to spend more time in the courtroom. "That's something I really like," Lipke said.

In addition, he said, prosecutors work with law enforcement officers and agencies on a regular basis. "I have the utmost respect for these people and the job they do," Lipke said.

The opening was created when assistant prosecutor Mike Deimund announced he will go into private practice. Assistant prosecutor Abbie Crites-Leoni is moving to Deimund's position as a criminal prosecutor. Lipke will take Crites-Leoni's job working with juvenile crimes, child support enforcement and some criminal prosecution.

"We had several candidates and other people who would have been good, but I decided to go with someone I knew could do the job," said Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.