 An inquest is a process by which the manner of death is determined by a jury of 6 persons. The verdict provided by this jury does not have any civil or criminal standing. The information, however, can be used in later civil or criminal proceedings. Therefore, the verdict can be completely different from that reached during an inquest.
In an inquest, the facts of the case are reviewed for the jury by the Coroner, a responding officer to the scene (if there are any), and possibly the person who found the deceased and/or witnessed the death of the deceased. Once the facts are reviewed and any questions the jurors may have are answered, the jury deliberates and determines the manner of death to be homicide, suicide, accidental, or undetermined.
Generally, deaths that have been investigated and determined to be natural are not subject to an inquest. Any death that is unnatural or where cause is undetermined will be subject to an inquest.
Inquests Scheduled
To be announced...please check back later
All inquests are held in the 4th floor County Board
Room in the Kankakee County Administration building |
