General Crimes
The General Crimes Team of the Greene County Prosecutor's Office currently is comprised of seven attorneys: a first assistant, a senior assistant, and five assistant prosecuting attorneys. The Team is supported by two property crimes administrative assistants and three traffic crimes administrative assistants. The General Crimes Team is responsible for reviewing, filing, and disposing of a wide variety of cases ranging from misdemeanor traffic offenses to felony property crimes. Traffic offenses include but are not limited to speeding and licensing violations, misdemeanor and felony driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor and felony driving while license revoked, misdemeanor and felony leaving the scene of an accident, vehicular assaults and homicides, and other vehicular fatalities. Property crimes include but are not limited to burglary, trespass, tampering, property damage, stealing, arson, passing bad checks, forgery and other fraud crimes, fail to return rental property, misdemeanor drug cases, and county planning and zoning violations.
The team members are involved with various community organizations to develop programs and strategies aimed at educating the public in crime reporting and prevention, and deterring offenders from recurring law violations. A prosecutor is assigned to attend meetings of the “fraud squad”, which is a group of local bankers and retailers who have formed a close-knit network of communication in reporting and detecting fraudulent activity. Team members meet with the property crimes unit of the criminal investigation section at the Springfield Police Department on a weekly basis to discuss cases that the detectives are currently working. The team makes referrals to traffic offender programs, victim impact programs, drug education programs, and substance abuse traffic offender programs. Team members participate in a Minor Awareness Program by meeting with youthful offenders charged with underage drinking offenses to counsel with them concerning the legal consequences of underage alcohol use.
In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities, prosecutors in the General Crimes Team are assigned specific types of cases to handle and act as the “go to” person when questions arise in these areas.
THE GENERAL CRIMES TEAM PROSECUTORS
AMY J. FITE - 1st Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the General Crimes Team, is the current Supervisor for the team. She received her undergraduate degree from Missouri State University, majoring in Education and Mathematics. She graduated from the St. Louis University School of Law in 1997. Amy has been an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and an Assistant Circuit Attorney for the St. Louis Office of the Circuit Attorney. Appointed 1st Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in August 2008.
ELIZABETH A. MURRAY - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the General Crimes Team. Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Missouri, majoring in Political Science. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2003. Appointed assistant prosecuting attorney in May 2007.
BENJAMIN MCBRIDE - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the General Crimes Team. Ben received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma City University Majoring in History and Political Science. He graduated for Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2006. Appointed Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in November 2008.
JESSICA VALE - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the General Crimes Team. Jessica received her undergraduate degree from Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri, majoring in Government and International Multi-Cultural Studies. She graduated from Regent University School of Law, Virginia beach, Virginia in May of 2008. Appointed Assistant Prosecutor in September 2008.
CLAYTON BALLARD- Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the General Crimes Team. Clayton received his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University, Joplin, Missouri, majoring in Criminal Justice. He graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Law in May of 2008. Appointed assistant prosecuting attorney in January 2008.
PHILIP FUHRMAN - Philip worked for the Greene County Prosecutor's Office as a Rule 13 in the summer of 2008. He received his undergraduate degree in 2006 from William Jewell College, majoring in Political Science. He received his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2009 and joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in 2009.
MATTHEW RUSSELL - Matthew joined the Greene County Prosecutors Office in September 2003. Matthew received his undergraduate degree in 2000 from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), majoring in Political Science. Matthew received his law degree from Creighton University in 2003, where he was a member of an award winning trial practice team. From September 2003 until March 2007, Matthew served in various positions in the prosecutors office, including child support, traffic and crimes against persons. In March of 2007, Matthew left for six months to work for a prominent defense attorney in the Springfield area. In September 2007, Matthew returned to the Greene County Prosecutors Office as an assistant prosecutor in the Major Crimes Division. While in Major Crimes, Matthew concentrated on the prosecution of dangerous and career criminals with a focus on robberies and prior and persistent drug offenders. In October 2009, Matthew moved to the General Crimes Division in a supervisory capacity and handling burglary cases. In addition to his official duties, Matthew is an instructor at the Springfield Police Academy as a POST certified instructor and at the Drury Academy. Matthew is an active member in Sunrise Rotary, director of Character Education at Wilsons Creek Schools, and on the Board of Directors for Leadership Springfield.