Zach Stuard
CCO Staff Writer
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann attended Ball State University and earned an undergraduate degree in organic chemistry. While an Honor’s College Fellow, he began researching anti-cancer and anti-tumor medications. Later, he accepted an internship with Eli Lilly and Company working to improve the production process of their cancer fighting pharmaceuticals. While employeed with Eli Lilly, Hermann noticed a disconnect between the scientist and patent attorneys. It was there that he decided that he wanted to streamline the interaction between the scientists, doctors, and patent attorneys. Because of this, Hermann decided to enroll in Indiana University’s School of Law with the intention of becoming a patent attorney.
While attending IU, Hermann interned both with the Marion County Public Defender’s Office and later with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. He enjoyed being in courtroom advocating first for clients and later for the state. His second week working for the prosecutor’s office was an eventful one.
It was his first opportunity to try a case in front of a jury. “My boss at the time asked me if I had ever tried a robbery case, I said that I hadn’t and he responding by saying, ‘Well you have 15 minutes to prepare’. He handed me the case file in the elevator of the courthouse and that was it.â€
It was then that Hermann realized he had a passion to help people and in that moment he decided to pursue a career in prosecution. Hermann was drawn to prosecution because when he goes to court he has the opportunity, and responsibility of doing what he thinks is right. “Because we as prosecutors represent the community and not an individual client, we aren’t stuck advocating for a certain position. We do what we feel is in the best interest of our community, whether that is to seek jail time or to send a defendant to treatment or probation.â€
This does not, however, come without challenge. In any case the prosecution has the burden of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Hermann says that the most difficult part of his job is to sit down with families of victims and tell them that an alleged offender cannot be prosecuted without additional evidence. Criminal cases impose a hefty burden on victims and their families. The state has a Victim’s Assistance Program that assists victims and their families but certain problems continue to exist. Hermann spoke of one of the more encompassing of these problems, “One of the biggest problems facing victims is that the entire criminal justice system revolves around the defendant while these victims feel as though they do not have these same rights. These criminals have a choice whereas their victims do not.â€
Another major struggle of the Prosecutor’s Office is keeping up with the ever increasing caseload. Everything criminal happening within Vanderburgh County runs through Mr. Hermann’s office and at times this can seem overwhelming. To offset this problem Mr. Hermann and his associates have found ways to operate the office more efficiently and have made efforts to stop the “revolving door†of the criminal justice system. They have two approaches. First they work very closely with problem solving courts, mentoring groups, and other agencies to help people overcome their drug addictions, find appropriate role models, and lead productive lives. On the other end of the spectrum, they have drastically increased filings against habitual offenders in an effort to get career criminals off of the street.
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s office also works closely with the police providing classes and training sessions to keep them up to date. The two departments have very similar interests and it is because of these they have such a symbiotic relationship. The two have worked especially hard recently in fighting the amount of meth labs that are in houses all around town endangering innocent people and worse, children. Prosecutor Hermann has worked hard to educate the public about the dangers involved with drug use and domestic violence and whom to contact with regards to any suspicious activity. He can be seen playing host on many informative PSA style messages airing on local cable networks here in town. Anyone noticing anything out of the ordinary should call 911 and make a report.
Hermann also has a very soft spot for children, especially those with troubling pasts. Hermann believes that the interactions with these kids only make a difference if it is hands on. “Attending an event and sitting at a table is just is not going to cut it. These children need positive, hands on influences on a daily basis in order to grow.†Hermann worked closely with several local organization to ensure that children have positive interactions with law enforcement and positive role models. Hermann has also starting attending schools and speaking out against meth and gang related violence. It is nice to have the reassurance that someone like Nick Hermann is devoted to taking the proper steps to cure our county of many of the problems that affect the lives of our future generations and work to create a brighter future for the city we call home.
