On Monday, August 14, 2023, a complaint was filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission against Attorney Jacob Joel Swanson for the use of dangerous drugs and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

The case is titled, ‘In the Matter of Jacob Joel Swanson,’ with case no. 2023PR00053.

The charges cited Rule 8.4 (b) (pertaining to a lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects), and Rule 8.4(d) (regulating conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice)  of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, stemming from violations of Section 720 ILCS 662546/60 and Section 625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(6) which provide, in part that:

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess methamphetamine.

It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Illinois if “there is any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in the person’s breath, blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act”.

The Illinois Compiled Statutes can be viewed here.

The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct can be viewed here.

The complaint was filed by Jerome Larkin, Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, by his attorney, David B. Collins before the Hearing Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary  Commission. Allegedly, on multiple occasions from 2021 to 2023, while Attorney Swanson was serving as Assistant State’s Attorney in Montgomery County, he possessed and used methamphetamine. In the mentioned timeframe, on numerous and sporadic occasions, Attorney Swanson was known to have purchased and used methamphetamine with identified individuals. Also, within the said timeframe, on multiple occasions, Attorney Swanson was known to have operated a motor vehicle while methamphetamine was in his system.

It is thus requested by the Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission that the matter be looked into by a panel for the recommendation of a warranted discipline.

The charge reads:

“WHEREFORE, the Administrator requests that this matter be assigned to a panel of the Hearing Board, that a hearing be held, and the panel makes findings of fact, conclusions of fact and law, and a recommendation for such discipline as is warranted.”

Attorney Jacob Joel Swanson obtained his law degree from Depaul University College of Law and acquired his license in 2016. For more info about Attorney Swanson’s bio, please click here.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.