Press Release: Nerheim Launches Misdemeanor Alternative Prosecution Program

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Lake County State's Attorneys Office


OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM

STATE'S ATTORNEY

June 06, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas

                                                                                   (847) 377-3188

                                                  cvargas@lakecountyil.gov

 

NERHEIM LAUNCHES MISDEMEANOR  ALTERNATIVE PROSECUTION PROGRAM IN LAKE COUNTY

 

(Lake County, IL June 06, 2017) Lake County State's Attorney, Michael G. Nerheim announced that the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has launched its Misdemeanor Alternative Prosecution Program for qualified 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 impact a conviction may present over a life time. 

The process begins via a referral that may be made by a victim, State’s Attorney, Private Attorney, Public Defender, or Police Officer. Part of the screening process includes feedback from the victim and arresting agency. 

If accepted into the program, the defendant shall agree to satisfy various program requirements which may include: obtaining counseling and/or substance abuse treatment, completing public service hours, paying full restitution to the victim, writing a letter of apology, making a donation to a designated lake County anti crime program and paying court costs to both the Misdemeanor Alternative Prosecution Program and/or to a designated Lake County anti-crime program.

Upon successful completion of the Misdemeanor 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. This new program follows the already successful Alternative Prosecution Program in place for first-time, non-violent felony offenders. That program has been in place since June 01, 2016 and has already had 18 successful graduates. 

 “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 Chief of the Misdemeanor and Traffic Division, Michael Ori or Assistant State's Attorney, Ryan Koehl 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