The below list of questions/answers is compiled in order to answer some of the more frequently asked questions about our office. If you do not see a question/answer to your question, please feel free to e mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Why did the police arrest my Significant Other when I didn't press charges?
State law requires that officers arrest a suspect who has committed domestic
violence. This occurs even if the victim does not want the suspect arrested. Domestic Violence Unit
I'm the victim of a domestic violence crime . Will the case get dismissed if I don't show up for court?
Probably not. The Domestic Violence Unit aggressively prosecutes its cases and relies on evidence
rules, other witnesses, photographs, medical records, paramedic's testimony, and suspect admissions to
prove our cases. We desire full participation of the victim in prosecution but it is not absolutely
necessary to obtain a conviction.
I have no family in the area and don't want to come to court alone. Is there someone who can assist me?
The Domestic Violence Unit provides a victim witness coordinator to accompany victims and witnesses
to court and to keep them apprised of proceedings. An advocate from Women's Crisis Center
is also available to provide confidential advocacy to victims.
Can a person arrested for a Domestic Violence related crime bail out of jail and return home the same day?
Probably not. When a person is arrested and booked into Jail a temporary no
contact order is placed into effect. This order forbids the assailant from having contact with the victim
of the assault.
If I invite my significant other to have contact with me, is that a violation of the order?
Yes it is. The sole responsibility for following the condition of the No Contact
Order is on the respondent (defendant) of the no contact order. That person (respondent) shall be
arrested even if invited to violate the order.
How much is bail on a Domestic Violence Crime?
The judge sets the mandatory bail amount for any Domestic Violence
Crime. At arraignment the court may reduce this amount.
I just received a Subpoena to appear for court. What do I do?
Follow the instructions included with your subpoena. If you still have questions call our victim/witness
coordinator at 618-277-3892.
I cannot appear on the date specified on the subpoena?
Call our victim/witness coordinator at 618-277-3892 and we will attempt to accommodate you.
What do I do if I suspect someone is the victim of Child Abuse, or someone is abusing a child?
The State of Illinois and the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office understand that this is a very serious problem. Child
Abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. An example of physical abuse is injuring a child on purpose,
causing cuts, welts, or bruises. Examples of emotional abuse include over-controlling, intimidation, giving conditional
love, and placing excessive or unrealistic demands on a child. Verbal abuse includes name calling, negative gender
references, unnecessary criticism, and excessive yelling - all cause damage to a child's self esteem. Physical and
emotional bullying can be abusive. Child neglect includes depriving a child of basic food shelter, supervision, education
or medical care by choice rather than necessity. It is not considered child neglect in the United States when parents
lack the resources to meet the child's basic needs. If you suspect child abuse you may call the Department of
Children and Family Services at 1-800-25-ABUSE; and remain anonymous. You may also call 9-1-1 if the situation
needs immediate attention. If you want a police officer to come out in a non-emergency basis you can call your local police department
What are the administration hours?
The office is open five days a week from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The phone number is 618-277-3892.
Can you explain what is happening to my case now that I am waiting for charges to be filed
against the suspect?
The decision to file charges is made by state's attorney's office. They review the
case and assign it to a prosecutor to review. The prosecutor reviews the case and
requests additional follow-up from the detective investigating the case or files the case
for charging. It usually takes several months before the case goes to trial. In complex
cases the delay can be longer.
Why doesn't someone arrest the suspect in my case and book them in jail?
Detectives can book a suspect into jail on probable cause to believe that a suspect
committed a crime. Many times the detectives do not book a suspect because they need
enough information to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that a suspect actually
committed a crime. Law enforcement officers have to legally determine that a crime has
been committed. Officers investigate to build a case that proves a suspect guilty by the
evidence and/or and by the admissions of the suspect involved. Most victims believe that
someone is guilty and want justice done. Law enforcement officers and victims are well
aware that justice is seldom served by arresting someone before all the facts are
presented.
How long will a suspect spend in jail, if they are convicted?
There are many factors involved in determining jail time for a convicted suspect. These
can include mitigating circumstances, prior convictions, and the nature and number of
crimes committed. In more serious offenses a formal sentencing hearing is held before a
judge with recommendations being made by the prosecuting attorney.
Why haven't the suspects that I named in the case been charged, since I filed a report with the
police?
Filing the police report does not constitute "charging." The report initiates the
investigative process; the report must contain all pertinent information, facts, and
evidence. If there is enough information and the facts show "beyond a reasonable doubt"
that the facts are accurate, then the state's attorney's office actually files the "charges". The
suspect has the option to negotiate with the prosecutor's office for various options, (plea
bargain, plead guilty, diversion, court) or to go to trial.
How can I prevent myself from being a victim of forgery or fraud?
Never have your SS # printed on your checks. Do not put outgoing mail,
especially those containing bill payments in your home mailbox. Mail them at the post
office or put them in a postal drop box. Do not throw away credit card offers, credit card
courtesy checks or any other pages which contain personal information about you into
the garbage without first shredding or tearing up the information. Consider a locking
mailbox at your home or a post office box if you are not home to pick up your mail shortly
after it is delivered. Do not keep PIN numbers with your credit/ATM cards or anywhere
near them in your purse or wallet. Keep a complete list of all your credit cards and each
company's Customer Service phone number so that if your cards are lost or stolen, you
can immediately call and cancel them. Never give out personal information on the phone
unless you initiate the call and know whom you are talking to. Consumer Fraud Prevention
My checks have been lost or stolen what should I do?
Immediately contact your bank or credit card company to alert them and close your
accounts! If your checks or cards have been used, fill out the appropriate affidavits of
forgery with the banks, credit card companies or the appropriate law enforcement
agency. When the bank or credit card Company reimburses your account, they
technically become the victim because they have suffered the financial loss. They must
then file the necessary police reports. You will still be required to complete a statement
and/or affidavit of forgery because the case cannot proceed without your cooperation.
Sometimes several law enforcement agencies are involved because the forgeries occur
in different jurisdictions. This can be very frustrating for victims. If numerous checks
have been written on your account, the businesses receiving those checks initially may
not know that the checks are forgeries and may send them to a collection agency. When
you get calls from businesses or collection agencies, give them your police case number
and ask them to file a police report on the forgery if they have suspect information. Notify
the major check verification systems listed below that you have been the victim of check
forgery. Bad Checks Section
What are the conditions of the bond I posted?
CONDITIONS OF BAIL BOND
(a) If you are admitted to bail before conviction, the conditions of the bail bond
shall be that you will:
Appear to answer the charge in the court having jurisdiction on a day certain and thereafter as ordered by the court until discharged or final order of the court;
Submit yourself to the orders and process of the court; and
Not depart this State without leave; and
Not violate any criminal statute of any jurisdiction; and
Obey such other conditions as the court may impose.
Provide the Clerk of the Circuit Court with any change of address.
(b) Additionally, if the victim/complainant in this case is a family or household member as defined in Article 112A of the Domestic Violence Act, you shall not:
Have any contact with, nor communicate with, the victim/complainant for a minimum period of seventy two (72) hours following your release from custody; and
Enter or remain at the residence where the victim/complainant is residing for a minimum period of seventy two (72) hours following your release from police custody.
(c)If you are admitted to bail after conviction, the conditions of the bail bond shall be that you will:
Duly prosecute your appeal;
Appear at such time and place as the court may direct;
Not depart this state without leave of the court;
Obey such other conditions as the court may impose; and
If the judgment is affirmed or the cause reversed and remanded for a new trial, forthwith surrender to the officer from whose custody you were bailed.
How do I get to the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office or Court House?
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St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office
#10 Public Square, 2nd Floor
Belleville, IL 62220
618-277-3892
Fax: 618-277-6748 Contact Us
www.SAO.co.st-clair.il.us
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