Alexander County Jail - *INMATES ARE HOUSED AT TRI-COUNTY JUSTICE & DETENTION CENTER* Inmate Bail & Bonds

There is no price on release in this county anymore. Years ago, relatives paid a 10 percent deposit at the county courthouse. That ended with the Pretrial Fairness Act.

• Bail bond agents have been illegal here since 1963.
• Any demand for cash to free a prisoner here is fraud.
• Costs tied to a release rule, like monitoring, are not bail.

Within 48 hours, the person should be in front of a judge. Alexander County holds many first appearances by video link to the courtroom at 2000 Washington Avenue, Cairo, IL 62914. The judge reads the charge (725 ILCS 5/109-1) and rules on release; the Public Defender can be appointed.

• The 48-hour clock runs through holidays.
• Small county cases may start with a citation, not a jail stay.

Yes, but only after a hearing under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. To hold someone, the prosecutor in the county files a 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 petition. A hearing follows, normally within 24 to 48 hours.

Keeping someone in the county jail takes clear and convincing proof that:

• the charge is detainable under the law;
• release would endanger someone;
• and no release rules would be enough.

The defense answers at the hearing. Rule 604(h) gives the defense a fast appeal.

Search by name in VINELink.The Sheriff's Office may post new bookings late. Or call 618-845-3512. Step-by-step help is in our inmate search guide.

Youth under 18 are kept out of the County Jail. A judge picks the youth Detention Center (705 ILCS 405/5-410). A detention hearing must happen within 40 hours, not counting weekends (705 ILCS 405/5-415). No public list shows youth.

725 ILCS 5/110-5 guides the judges. They look at:

• the charge and the police report,
• any record of missing court,
• ties to family, work and school,
• and whether any rules would keep people safe.

Wealth has not mattered since 2023. The Public Defender can use proof of work.

Local criminal cases go to the Alexander County Courthouse, 2000 Washington Avenue, Cairo, IL 62914. Circuit clerk: 618-734-0107. Look up county case numbers on re:SearchIL and Judici.

Illinois abolished separate city and justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964, so every arrest by the Sheriff's Office or town police goes to the circuit court.

In most cases, no. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) forbids a 48-hour hold on a Form I-247A. Only a federal criminal warrant signed by a judge changes that.

• ICE can act on its own once the person leaves.
• Detainees from this county are often sent out of state.
• Check the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with a name and birth country.

The judges appoint the Public Defender for those who can't pay. Ask the county clerk, 618-734-0107. Appeal help: Office of the State Appellate Defender.

A prison sentence starts at an Illinois Department of Corrections reception center. Each transfer appears on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search. Prison basics are in our Illinois state prisons guide.

A federal case leaves the county system for East St. Louis. Federal cases from here go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201 (618-482-9371). The Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. 3142, applies. Cash bonds remain possible under 18 U.S.C. 3142(c), unlike state cases. Before trial, a defendant stays in U.S. Marshals Service custody. Federal prison moves after East St. Louis show on the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

No one leaves custody without a promise to return to court and stay law-abiding. A judge may add terms under 725 ILCS 5/110-10:

• reporting to a pretrial officer,
• staying away from an alleged victim,
• home detention,
• sobriety checks and turning in a FOID card.

Under 725 ILCS 5/110-6, a broken rule can bring sanctions or detention.

• Note the charge and local hearing date.
• Family may attend court in Cairo.
• Read our phone guide.
• Deposits: sending money.
• Get release alerts from VINELink.