Lake County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Lake County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Lake County.
Lake County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Lake County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Lake County. The Lake County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Jury Deliberations in Lake County
In Lake County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
Lake County Criminal Court
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Lake County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Lake County will take place at the Lake County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Lake County Criminal Court Locations.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
I need help for my Lake County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Lake County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Lake County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Required Court Appearances in Lake County
Any required court appearances in Lake County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Lake County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Lake County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Lake County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Lake County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.
Lake County Criminal Court Locations
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Lake County Circuit Court
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Phone: 219-755-3465 Fax: 219-755-3520 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 1
Address: 232 Russell St, Hammond IN 46320
Courtroom Phone: 219-933-2800 Fax: 219-933-0213 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 2
Address: 3711 Main Street, Room 2, East Chicago, IN 46312
Courtroom Phone: 219-398-2443 Fax: 219-392-0047 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 3
Address: 15 W Fourth Ave, Gary IN 46402
Courtroom Phone: 219-881-6156 Fax: 219-881-6168 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 4
Address: 15 W Fourth Ave, Gary IN 46402
Courtroom Phone: 219-881-6146 Fax: 219-881-6153 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 5
Address: 232 Russell St, Hammond IN 46320
Courtroom Phone: 219-933-2800 Fax: 219-933-2985 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 6
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3199 Fax: 219-755-3217 -
Lake County Superior Court Civil Division Room 7
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-648-6150 Fax: 219-648-6155 -
Lake County Superior Court County Division Room 1
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3571 Fax: 219-755-3006 -
Lake County Superior Court County Division Room 2
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3580 Fax: 219-755-3588 -
Lake County Superior Court County Division Room 3
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3595 Fax: 219-755-3606 -
Lake County Superior Court County Division Room 4
Address: 232 Russell St, Hammond IN 46320
Courtroom Phone: 219-933-2837 Fax: 219-933-2833 -
Lake County Superior Court Criminal Division Room 1
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3500 Fax: 219-755-3509 -
Lake County Superior Court Criminal Division Room 2
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3515 Fax: 219-755-3068 -
Lake County Superior Court Criminal Division Room 3
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3500 Fax: 219-755-3688 -
Lake County Superior Court Criminal Division Room 4
Address: 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-755-3500 Fax: 219-755-3523 -
Lake County Superior Court Juvenile Division
Address: 3000 W 93rd Ave, Crown Point IN 46307
Courtroom Phone: 219-660-6900 Fax: 219-736-6209 -
Crown Point City Court
Address: 300 Courthouse Square, PO Box 594, Crown Point IN 46307
Phone: 219-662-3243 Fax: 219-662-3261 -
East Chicago City Court
Address: 2301 E Columbus Dr, East Chicago IN 46312
Phone: 219-391-8491 Fax: 219-391-8512 -
Gary City Court
Address: 555 Polk St, Gary IN 46402
Phone: 219-881-1263 (Criminal) Fax: 219-881-1182 -
Hammond City Court
Address: 5925 Calumet Ave, Hammond IN 46320
Phone: 219-853-6346 Fax: 219-853-6339 -
Hobart City Court
Address: 705 E 4th St, Suite C, Hobart IN 46342
Phone: 219-942-8218 Fax: 219-942-2697 -
Lake Station City Court
Address: 1969 Central Ave, Lake Station IN 46405
Phone: 219-962-2145 Fax: 219-962-1080 -
Lowell Town Court
Address: 501 E Main St, PO Box 157, Lowell IN 46356
Phone: 219-696-4077 -
Merrillville Town Court
Address: 7820 Broadway, Merrillville IN 46410
Phone: 219-756-6185 Fax: 219-756-1775 -
Schererville Town Court
Address: 25 E Joliet St, Schererville IN 46375
Phone: 219-865-5579 Fax: 219-865-5525 -
Whiting City Court
Address: 1443 119th St, Whiting IN 46394
Phone: 219-659-4688 Fax: 219-473-4644