|
|
|
Henry County State's
Attorney |
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
Q: What do I do
if I have been the victim of a crime?
Q: What happens after I report a crime to the
police?
Q: What happens after the police make an arrest
or refer the case to the State’s Attorney’s Office?
Q: Can the State’s Attorney’s Office represent
me in a civil matter?
Q: What is an Order of Protection and how do I
apply for one?
Q: What is a Civil No Contact Order and how do I
apply for one?
Q: What do I do if I have been the victim of a
crime?
A: Contact the police
immediately. The sooner the police can begin their investigation
and start gathering evidence, the greater the chance the crime will be
solved and the offender will be brought to justice. The Henry
County State's Attorney’s Office will not consider a case for
prosecution unless it has been reported to and investigated by the
police.
Q: What happens
after I report a crime to the police?
A: The police will investigate
your complaint to determine if there is sufficient evidence to make an
arrest. This includes taking statements from you, any witnesses,
and the accused if he or she wishes to make a statement. Every
person has a constitutional right to refuse to make any statement to the
police that might incriminate him or her. The police will also
collect any physical evidence found at the scene of the crime.
This may result in the police making an immediate arrest or, if the
police are not sure whether or not there is sufficient evidence to make
an arrest, they will contact the State’s Attorney’s Office to seek a legal
opinion.
Q: What happens
after the police make an arrest or refer the case to the State’s
Attorney’s Office?
A: An attorney will review the
case to determine if there is sufficient evidence to file criminal
charges and you will be notified of our decision. If criminal
charges are filed the defendant will either be sent a notice to appear
in court or an arrest warrant will be issued. If criminal charges
are filed our Victim/Witness Coordinator will keep you informed of the
status of the case.
Q: Can the
State’s Attorney’s Office represent me in a civil matter?
A: No. The State’s
Attorney’s Office represents the Henry County government and its elected
officials and employees, but we cannot represent individuals in private
civil matters. Private civil matters include landlord/tenant
disputes, the failure of someone to pay you money they owe you, child
custody disputes, and property damaged by accident (as opposed to
property damaged intentionally).
Q: What is an
Order of Protection and how do I apply for one?
A: An Order of Protection,
sometimes referred to as a restraining order, is a court order that
protects a family or household member from abuse, harassment or
intimidation by another family or household member. Family or
household member includes people related by blood or marriage, people
who share or formerly shared a common dwelling, people who have a child
in common, people who have or have had a dating relationship, and
certain people who care for the elderly or disabled. It does not
include friends, neighbors, or classmates. To see if you are
eligible or for assistance in obtaining an Order of Protection call
Freedom House at 1-800-474-6031. If no one is available to assist
you call the State’s Attorney’s Office at 309-937-3582.
Q: What is
a Civil No Contact Order and how do I apply for one?
A: A Civil No Contact Order is a
court order that requires a sex offender to stay away from his or her
victim. It is similar to an Order of Protection, but you can
obtain a Civil No Contact Order against anyone who sexually abuses you,
even if the sex offender is a complete stranger. To see if you are
eligible or for assistance in obtaining a Civil No Contact Order call
Freedom House at 1-800-474-6031. If no one is available to assist
you call the State’s Attorney’s Office at 309-937-3582.
|
|
Henry County
State's Attorney,
Terence M. Patton
Phone: 309-937-3582
Fax 309-937-5936
Address
307 West Center Street
Cambridge IL 61238
Office Hours
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday - Friday
Email:
stattorney@henrycty.com
|