Facing criminal charges is a stressful experience, and one of the first questions many defendants ask is whether those charges can be dropped before the case ever reaches trial. Who Has the Authority to Drop ChargesThe Role of the ProsecutorIn Illinois, prosecutors, not police officers or victims, hold the authority to formally drop criminal charges. When key evidence is thrown out, the prosecution’s case can collapse entirely, leading to a dismissal. Procedural ErrorsMistakes in how charges were filed, errors in the criminal complaint, or missed statutory deadlines can all provide grounds for dismissal. Lack of IntentMany criminal charges require proof that the defendant acted with a specific intent.