Criminal defense attorney Brian Polinske explains how the Illinois criminal charge process works if you've recently been charged with a misdemeanor. The basic rights of a citizen under arrest are stated in the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments of the "Bill of Rights" of the United States Constitution.Misdemeanor crimes carry a possible jail sentence of less than one year. The first step after a sex crime arrest is the official filing of charges. Navigating a criminal case in Illinois involves several distinct stages, each with its own procedures and legal implications. Find Illinois arrest records. The Illinois Department of Corrections is not a lawmaking entity and does not hand down sentences to those who come into the state's prison system. Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Once the investigation is complete, the prosecutor will decide whether to formally charge you with a sex crime. O Chicago RAP Sheet (Record of Arrests and.