Criminal Charges and Pre-Trial Release Conditions

If the abuser has left the scene and/or has not been arrested, there still may be an option for criminal charges to be filed. To have the case screened for potential criminal offenses, bring a copy of the police report to your county states attorney’s office. It may be helpful to contact your local domestic violence program so they can help you through the system.

When a person is charged with a criminal offense and the victim is a “family or household member,” unless otherwise provided by the court, the abuser will be prohibited from contacting or communicating with the victim and from entering or remaining at the victim’s residence for a minimum of 72 hours.

You can reach out to Victim Witness below to learn what the pre-trial release conditions are and what protections have been afforded to you. If a defendant/abuser violates these restrictions, you should call the police immediately. The defendant can be charged with an additional offense, Violation of a Bail Bond, which is a Class A Misdemeanor.

DuPage County State’s Attorney
Victim Services Unit
503 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8000 / (630) 407-8008

Will County State’s Attorney
Victim & Witness Services
14 W. Jefferson
Joliet, IL 60431
(815) 740-8079

Offender Custody Status

If the abuser has been charged with a crime and you want up-to-date information on whether the abuser is still in the custody of a jail or a correctional facility, you can contact the Illinois Automated Victim Notification System (AVN). AVN is a statewide system that not only provides custody status information, but also provides case status information, and automatic notification to those who register.

To register with AVN, you can contact the 24-hour toll free hotline at 1-866-566-8439 or you can register online at www.vinelink.com.

Help is Available

The Naperville Police Department has a Social Services Unit that can work with you and assist you in seeking options and alternatives to your situation. The responding police officer will be documenting this incident and in cases involving abuse, the appropriate domestic violence agency will be contacted. You will likely be contacted by our social services team, and you are also encouraged to contact them should you need assistance.

The Social Services Unit, which maintains day and evening hours Monday through Friday, as well as the chaplain on-call, can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week when necessary. There are many options and alternatives available to you and your situation and we hope that you will reach out for these services.