The law on questioning, arrests

Originally published Jan. 12, 1993

How Illinois law works in behalf of suspects, police

• Police can arrest someone without immediately charging them with a crime.

• Police must have "reasonable grounds" to believe someone committed a crime - and an arrest warrant from a judge - before taking them into custody.

• State statutes do not limit the amount of time between the arrest and when a suspect must either be released or charged. Most police generally release or charge a suspect within 48 hours.

• All prisoners have access to an attorney, if they want one. They are not compelled to speak with police and may speak privately and for as long as they want with a lawyer.

• Prisoners have a right to "humane treatment," meaning, access to adequate food, bedding and medicine, and a "reasonable number" of phone calls.

Source Illinois Revised Statutes

In Palatine: Accommodate prisoners

• They allow prisoners one phone call; any other calls are at discretion of shift commander.

• Prisoners are permitted to follow their own sleeping patterns.

• Breakfast: Doughnuts and coffee brought in from Mr. Donut.

• Lunch and dinner: Cheeseburgers, fries and soft drinks from Wendy's. They will try to accommodate people on special diets.