James D. Heiple facts for kids

James D. Heiple (born September 13, 1933 – died January 18, 2021) was an American lawyer and judge. He was elected as a judge for the highest court in Illinois, the Illinois Supreme Court, in 1990. He briefly served as the court's chief judge in 1997. Heiple continued to serve on the court until he retired in 2000.

Early Life and Education

James D. Heiple was born in Peoria, Illinois. He earned a science degree from Bradley University in his hometown. He then studied law in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1957, he received his law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law. Later, Heiple earned another advanced law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Career as a Judge

After becoming a lawyer in Illinois, Heiple worked with his father in Tazewell County, Illinois. Their offices were in Washington and Pekin. He focused on laws related to cities and towns. He also worked as a law clerk, a public defender, and managed two banks. Heiple was also the president of the Illinois Judges Association.

In 1970, Heiple was elected as a judge for the Illinois Circuit Court. Ten years later, he was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court. In 1990, he successfully ran to become a judge on the Illinois Supreme Court. Heiple was known for being an "independent thinker." Many lawyers believed he would often share his different opinions in court.

The "Baby Richard Case"

In 1994, Heiple wrote the main opinion for the Illinois Supreme Court in a well-known case called the "Baby Richard Case". This case was about a child given up for adoption without the biological father knowing.

Heiple's decision said that Illinois's adoption laws are meant to protect the rights of biological parents to their children. This is true even if people think another choice might be "best for the child." Heiple's ruling overturned earlier court decisions. It gave custody of the child to the biological father. This decision was very controversial. It led to public disagreement between Heiple and elected officials, including the Governor of Illinois, Jim Edgar.

Investigation and Resignation

In 1996, the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board looked into complaints against Heiple. People said he had misused his position during several traffic stops and did not obey police. Some legal experts thought this investigation happened partly because of the public attention from the "Baby Richard Case."

In January 1997, Heiple was chosen by his fellow judges to be the chief judge of the Supreme Court. However, a formal complaint was filed against him that same month about the traffic stops. On April 30, 1997, the Illinois Courts Commission officially disciplined Heiple. This led him to resign as chief judge on May 2, 1997. Heiple did not leave the Supreme Court entirely, though.

On April 14, 1997, the Illinois House of Representatives started an investigation into Heiple. This was the first time such a process had happened for a judge in Illinois in 145 years. Another judge, Benjamin K. Miller, testified that Heiple had not told other court members how serious the investigation was. The panel decided not to remove Heiple from his position. He stayed on the court until his term ended in 2000. After he left, Thomas Kilbride was elected to take his place. By the end of his time on the Illinois Supreme Court, Heiple had written many important legal opinions.

Personal Life

James Heiple married Virginia Kerswill on July 28, 1956. They had three children: Jeremy, Jonathan, and Rachel. His wife passed away in 1995, and their daughter died in 2014. Both of his sons became lawyers, following their father's career path. Heiple was also a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.

Heiple died on January 18, 2021, in Peoria, Illinois. He was 87 years old. He had a serious medical condition before his death.