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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM
STATE'S ATTORNEY
June 11, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
(847) 377-3188
cvargas@lakecountyil.gov
NERHEIM LAUNCHES ALTERNATIVE PROSECUTION PROGRAM
(Lake County, IL June 11, 2015) Lake County State's
Attorney, Michael G. Nerheim announced that the Lake County State’s
Attorney’s Office will launch its Alternative Prosecution Program for first-
time, non-violent offenders. In exchange for accepting responsibility for
their criminal conduct, these individuals will have the opportunity to keep a
conviction from being permanently entered on their record and to avoid the
devastating impact a conviction may present over a life time.
The process begins via a referral that may be made by a Judge,
State’s Attorney, Private Attorney, Public Defender, or Police Officer.
All applicants must complete an intake interview. The applicant
must then meet with, and be approved by, a panel of citizens from the community
before the State’s Attorney will consider admitting them into the
program. This approval process includes input from the crime victim and
the arresting agency.
If accepted into the program, the defendant shall agree to satisfy
various program requirements which may include obtaining a high school diploma
or G.E.D., obtaining counseling and/or substance abuse treatment, completing
public or community service hours, paying full restitution to the victim,
writing a letter of apology, finding or maintaining employment, and paying fees
to both the Alternative Prosecution Program and to a designated Lake County
anti-crime program.
Upon successful completion of the Alternative Prosecution Program,
the State’s Attorney will vacate the defendant’s guilty plea and dismiss the
charges. The defendant then has the opportunity to immediately file for an
expungement of his record. However, if a
defendant fails to successfully complete the Program in a timely manner, the
defendant will be terminated from the Program and the case will be returned to
court for sentencing on the original charges.
This diversion program will hold offenders accountable and address
the needs of crime victims. Additionally, the Program gives deserving
defendants a second chance and the opportunity to avoid being labeled a
convicted criminal.
“The value of this program is two-fold: first, it makes the victims of crime whole. Secondly, it provides a unique opportunity for offenders to take
responsibility for their actions, to improve their lives, and to avoid the
stigma of a criminal conviction. That is a win-win for Lake County,” Nerheim said.
For more information, please contact Assistant States Attorney Lisa Connelly at 847 377
3000.
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Lake County State's Attorney's Office 18 N. County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3000
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