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Judge Amy Christiansen:
Read the Record.

Source-linked reporting about selected rulings and cases handled by Will County Judge Amy Christiansen. Read the original reporting and evaluate the record for yourself.

VIEW THE CASES

Four cases. Original sources.

The summaries below distinguish allegations, charges, guilty pleas, court rulings and release conditions where applicable.

01
DAVID HAMPTON • RECKLESS HOMICIDE / AGGRAVATED DUI CASE

110.6 MPH. .138 BAC. One woman dead.

David Hampton was charged with aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in the crash that killed his wife, Nichelle Hampton. Prosecutors alleged vehicle data showed 110.6 mph five seconds before the crash and a .138 blood-alcohol concentration about 75 minutes afterward. Prosecutors sought detention; Judge Amy Christiansen later ruled in favor of Hampton's release from the Will County Jail.

Case status: Hampton is a defendant; these allegations are not presented as a conviction.

READ THE PATCH ARTICLE →
02
CHRISTINE BROWN • FELONY THEFT

Felony theft. Zero days in jail.

Former Timbers of Shorewood business manager Christine Brown pleaded guilty to felony theft. Judge Amy Christiansen sentenced Brown to 24 months of second-chance probation, at least 30 hours of community service, $839 in court costs and $3,500 restitution, with no jail time to serve.

Authorities originally alleged more than $100,000 was taken. Patch reported that the count alleging more than $100,000 was dismissed under the plea agreement; Brown pleaded guilty to a separate theft count alleging more than $10,000 but not exceeding $100,000.

READ THE PATCH ARTICLE →
03
JEREMY LEDESMA • CHILD-PORNOGRAPHY CASE

Public-library Internet access over prosecutors' objection.

Jeremy Ledesma faces child-pornography charges. Judge Amy Christiansen modified his pretrial release over the State's objection, allowing him to travel to a public facility such as a library and use the Internet under specified limits. The order allowed library visits for up to two hours, twice per week.

Case status: Ledesma is a defendant; these charges are not presented as a conviction.

READ THE PATCH ARTICLE →
04
MICHAEL KAZECKI • FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CASE

Eight years and still no trial. Oct. 5 → Feb. 1, 2027.

Michael Kazecki was arrested in 2018 and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Becky. In August 2026, Judge Amy Christiansen moved the trial to October 5 and stated that no further continuances would be granted without good cause shown.

In September, the defense sought another continuance. Reporting on the court order says outstanding discovery and expert analysis remained; the court found good cause and moved the jury trial to February 1, 2027.

Case status: Kazecki is a defendant; the murder charge is not presented as a conviction.

AUG. 14 ARTICLE → SEPT. 23 ARTICLE →

Read the sources

JudgeWatchIL links readers to the underlying reporting rather than asking them to rely on a graphic or headline alone. Criminal charges and allegations are identified as such; guilty pleas, release decisions, sentencing decisions and continuances are described separately.