If you or a loved one has been indicted by a Grand Jury, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next. As an experienced criminal defense attorney, James Dimeas will help you understand the Grand Jury process, what it means to be indicted, and the critical steps that follow. Knowing how the system works is essential to protecting your rights and building a strong defense.

What Happens When You Are Indicted by a Grand Jury in Illinois?

Learning that you have been indicted by a Grand Jury can be frightening, particularly if you have never been involved in the criminal justice system before. People often hear the word “indictment” and assume that it means the government has proven its case or that a conviction is likely. That is not what an indictment means. An indictment is a formal criminal charge. It means that a Grand Jury determined that there was probable cause to charge you with a crime. It does not mean that you have been found guilty, and it does not take away the prosecution’s obligation to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt if your case ultimately goes to trial.

One of the worst phone calls a person can receive is a call from a police detective telling them that they are being investigated for a crime they did not commit. Sometimes the accusation comes from someone they know. Sometimes it involves a former spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or business associate. Other times, the police may believe they have identified the right person based on what a witness told them, a photograph, surveillance video, cellphone evidence, or some other piece of information. Whatever the circumstances, I have found that most innocent people have the same immediate reaction:

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll just explain what happened.”

That reaction is completely understandable. It can also be a serious mistake. I have been handling criminal cases for more than 34 years. One thing I have learned during that time is that innocent people can get themselves into trouble by assuming that the truth will automatically protect them. It does not always work that way.

If you just found out there is a warrant for your arrest, do not ignore it, do not panic, and do not walk into a police station and start talking. Those are three of the most important things I can tell you. I have been handling criminal cases in Illinois for more than 34 years, and I have seen people make their situation much worse because they reacted before they understood what they were dealing with. Some people immediately call the police and start asking questions. Others go directly to the police station because they think turning themselves in as quickly as possible is the responsible thing to do. Some decide to do nothing and hope the warrant eventually disappears. All three approaches can create problems. If there is a warrant for your arrest, the first thing you need is information. The second thing you need is a plan. You should know why the warrant was issued, what case it involves, what court issued it, what may happen when you appear before a judge, and what can be done before you surrender. That is where an experienced criminal defense lawyer can make a real difference.

Do Not Pretend the Warrant Is Going to Go Away

Let me start with the biggest mistake. Ignoring an arrest warrant is usually a terrible idea. A warrant can sit there waiting for you. You may go weeks or months without anything happening and start believing that nobody cares about it. Then you get stopped for speeding. The police officer runs your name. A few minutes later, you are in handcuffs. Or police officers show up at your house. Or they come to your workplace. Or you have contact with law enforcement over something completely unrelated and suddenly discover that you are being taken into custody because of an old warrant. When you ignore a warrant, you give up control over when and how the arrest takes place. I would much rather deal with a warrant on our terms than wait for the police to decide when they are going to deal with it.

As a seasoned criminal defense attorney with decades of experience handling felony cases throughout Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, and the greater Chicago area, one of the most important questions I regularly address with clients is whether they can still be charged with a crime after many years have passed. This issue hinges on what’s known as the “statute of limitations.”

In this blog post, I’ll explain what the statute of limitations is, how it applies to felony charges in Illinois, the exceptions that can extend or eliminate these time limits, and what happens if you’re charged after the statutory period has expired. I’ll also discuss real-world examples and why having an experienced criminal defense attorney like myself is crucial if you’re facing a felony charge that may be time-barred.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?