Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons appointed Crystal Uhe as the new First Assistant State’s Attorney.
Uhe began working with the State’s Attorney’s Office as a law student intern in July 2005. After graduation, she began working full-time in the misdemeanor division, where she was appointed as the lead attorney in September 2010.
In March 2012, Uhe was promoted to the felony division and assigned to the violent crimes unit. She was named chief of the criminal division in July 2015.
As a member of the violent crimes unit, Uhe has tried hundreds of cases and has been the lead trial attorney in over 25 trials since 2012.
Uhe has obtained convictions in hundreds of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault, home invasion, armed robbery and other homicide-related cases.
According to a press release, Uhe hopes to continue fighting for the safety of the community in which grew up. As direct supervisor for the violent crimes unit, she will continue to secure justice for victims of violent crimes. She will also continue to expand the office’s focus on cold case homicides to bring justice and answers to those longing for closure.
Uhe is a lifelong resident of Madison County. She was raised in Alhambra and graduated from Highland High School.
Uhe earned a BS in Psychology with concentrations in criminology, criminal justice and political science from Southeast Missouri State University. She was named one of the Top Five Women of the Year by the college in 2003.
Uge earned her JD in 2007 from Saint Louis University School of Law, where she served as an editor for the Saint Louis University School of Law Public Law Review.
After graduating law school, she passed the Illinois Bar Exam and was sworn in as an attorney in November 2007.
Uhe is a member of the Madison County Bar Association. She is an instructor for the Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC) and an adjunct professor for Lewis and Clark school of Criminal Justice.
Uhe is a current member for Senior Services Plus in Alton and previously served as a board member for the Phoenix Crisis Center in Granite City.