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1. Can I be notified of a defendants release from jail or the Department of Corrections?

Yes, you can register for notification through VINE. 

2. Do I need to be present for every court date of the defendant?

No, you do not need to be present at every court appearance for the defendant. You are welcomed to attend any and all court appearances if you wish. You will be notified by our office when you are needed. If you have any questions about what will happen at a particular court appearance, you may contact a victim or witness advocate at 309-672-6900.

3. How can I get an order of protection?

An order of protection is a court order issued by a judge to a victim of domestic violence. It orders a person to stay away from the victim and stop any violence, threats of violence, or any type of harassment. To be eligible for an order of protection, the person must be a spouse, former spouse, roommate, family member or person you have dated. There is no cost for an order of protection, and there is trained staff at the Peoria County Courthouse to assist you in filing the necessary paperwork. To seek an order of protection call 309-672-6074, or you may come in person to the Peoria County Courthouse, which is located at:
324 Main Street
Room G14
Peoria, IL 61602

4. Is the State's Attorneys Office my lawyer?

The State's Attorneys Office represents the People of the State of Illinois in criminal matters. Our duty is to seek justice. We are not the lawyer for individual victims. Although we will seek restitution in appropriate cases, the amounts recoverable may not equal a victim's total loss. If you feel that you need additional recovery or relief than what the criminal case can provide, you should consider consulting with private counsel. Although we cannot recommend specific lawyers, our victim or witness staff will be happy to assist you in finding resources available to assist you.

5. Is there someone in the State's Attorneys Office who can answer my questions?

The States Attorneys Office maintains an entire division to coordinate victim and witness issues. To speak with a victim/witness advocate, call 309-672-6900 and ask for a victim or witness advocate. In addition to our services, there are other agencies who have victim services. The Illinois Attorney Generals Office Crime Victims Department can be contacted by phone at 800-228-3368 for further information. The Illinois Department of Corrections offers some services for victims when the defendant is in the custody of the department. The U.S. Department of Justice typically works with victims of federal crimes.

6. What are my responsibilities as a victim of a crime?

We cannot prosecute cases without the cooperation of crime victims and witnesses. Your cooperation is necessary because we carry the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

7. What are my rights as a victim of a crime?

The Illinois Constitution and Illinois statutes have provisions for victims rights. The purpose of the Crime Victims and Witnesses Act is to implement, preserve and protect the rights guaranteed to crime victims by Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution. This is to ensure that crime victims are treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process and to increase the effectiveness of the criminal justice system by affording certain basic rights and considerations to the witnesses of violent crime who are essential to prosecution. 

Under this act, you are a crime victim if you are: 

• A person who is physically injured in this state as a result of a violent crime perpetrated or attempted against you
• A person who suffered damage to or loss of property as a result of a violent crime perpetrated or attempted against you
• A single representative who may be the spouse, parent, child or sibling of a person killed as a result of a violent crime perpetrated against the person killed or the spouse, parent, child or sibling of any person granted rights under this Act, who is physically or mentally incapable of exercising such rights, except where the spouse, parent, child or sibling is also the defendant or prisoner
• A person against whom a violent crime has been committed
• A person who has suffered personal injury as a result of another person driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or combination thereof, or of involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide

Rights of Victims

If you are a crime victim as defined above you shall have the following rights:

• The right to be treated with fairness and respect for dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process
• The right to notification of court proceedings
• The right to communicate with the prosecution
• The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing
• The right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment and release of the accused
• The right to the timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused
• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused through the criminal justice process
• The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at the trial
• The right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an advocate or other support person of the victims choice
• The right to restitution
  • A statement and explanation of the rights of crime victims set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section shall be given to a crime victim at the initial contact with the criminal justice system by the appropriate authorities and shall be conspicuously posted in all court facilities

8. What should I do if I am a victim of a crime and no longer wish the case be pursued?

Only the States Attorneys office can make the decision to drop or pursue charges. If you have received a "victim letter" and you do not wish to pursue charges, simply disregard the letter. If the case has already been charged, you must contact the prosecutor handling the case. It is that prosecutors decision on whether or not to pursue a charge. There may be serious consequences to you for your lack of cooperation. You should not assume that by ignoring correspondence or subpoenas a case will be dropped. Victims wanting to drop charges should fill out an Affidavit at the States Attorneys Office requesting that the States Attorney discontinue prosecution. 

Please note: Filling out an Affidavit does not guarantee the State will not continue charging a case.

9. What should I do if I am a victim of a crime and wish to pursue charges?

If no arrest has been made as a result of the incident, you must first file a police report with the police agency in the jurisdiction in which the incident occurred before contacting the States Attorneys Office. Once a police report is filed, the reporting agency forwards a copy of the report to the States Attorneys Office. You may phone the States Attorneys Office Charging Division to confirm that a copy of the police report has been received. If you want to pursue charges against the suspect, you will need to come to the States Attorneys Office and complete or submit a charge form. 

Please note when coming to the States Attorneys Office to file charges that walk-in times are Tuesday 1 to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If the police have already made an arrest, you do not need to come to the States Attorneys Office immediately. You will receive a victims letter in the mail inviting you to come to the States Attorneys Office to pursue charges. If you receive a victims letter, you do not have to submit a charge form. If you are seeking compensation for any injuries or losses, you should bring supporting documentation if you have it. Should the charging attorney conclude that enough evidence exists to prove the charge(s) beyond a reasonable doubt, criminal charges may be filed. The States Attorneys Office cannot provide you with personal legal advice.

10. What should I do if the defense lawyer wants to talk to me?

The attorney for the defense has the right in a criminal case to interview all witnesses. However, whether or not you speak to a defense attorney is up to you. If you would feel more comfortable having the Assistant States Attorney who is handling the case present, arrange to have him or her there during the interview. Do not feel obliged to sign or say anything without first speaking to the prosecutor who is handling your case.