1. Criminal Complaint Phase

   When someone determines or has cause to believe they are the victim of a crime, their first call should be to 9-1-1 if the crime is in progress or there is an emergency situation.

2. Investigations Phase

   Depending on each case, after a police officer has taken the preliminary report, un-uniformed officers known as detectives begin the investigative phase.

3. Charging Phase

   When an investigation progresses to the point that the police have probable cause and there is a reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime, they may make an arrest. An important part of this phase is the determination of what offense or offenses have been committed.

4. Bond Court Phase

   Once the suspect is charged with a criminal complaint, he or she becomes the defendant in the criminal case and may be eligible to be released on bond.

5. Pre-trial

   Find out what all happens prior to a trial in Lake County.

6. Trial Phase

   Learn how trials operate within Lake County.

7. Sentencing Phase

   At the sentencing hearing the Assistant State’s Attorney will argue for an appropriate sentence and may introduce evidence of past criminal involvement.

8. Things to Remember

   Keep the following things in mind in regards to the Criminal Process within Lake County.