No money is needed, since the county sets no bail amount. Until 2023, the circuit clerk took 10 percent deposits. That step is gone under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

• Illinois outlawed for-profit bail bonds in 1963.
• A caller who wants money to free someone from the Schuyler County Jail is a scammer.
• Testing or GPS fees in the county are separate from bail.

Illinois expects a first appearance within 48 hours. In Brown County, that hearing is held at the courthouse, 200 Court Street, Room 5, Mount Sterling, IL 62353, or over a video link from the County Jail. There, a judge in this county reads the charge, may appoint the Public Defender, and sets release terms.

• In the county, a holiday doesn't stop the 48-hour clock.
• For a petty offense, the Sheriff's Office may issue only a ticket.

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

• the charge and the evidence,
• criminal history and any skipped hearings,
• ties to family, work and school,
• and whether conditions could protect others.

Under the 2023 law, money is not a factor. Hand the Public Defender a lease or a work schedule.

Low income? The court names the public defender. Call the clerk, 217-773-2713. After a conviction, help comes from the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Only for some charges listed in 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. To hold someone, the prosecutor in this county files a 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 petition. A hearing comes next, within 24 to 48 hours in most cases.

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

• the charge qualifies for detention;
• the person is dangerous or may flee;
• and no mix of conditions would work.

The defense answers at the hearing. A detention order can be appealed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h).

Youth under 18 are kept out of the County Jail. A judge picks the youth Detention Center (705 ILCS 405/5-410). Under 705 ILCS 405/5-415, a youth gets a hearing within 40 hours, minus weekends and holidays. The Eighth Judicial Circuit keeps juvenile files closed to the public.

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

Not on a detainer alone. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) forbids a 48-hour hold on a Form I-247A. The exception is a judge's warrant.

• Agents may wait outside after a release.
• Since 2022, no Illinois jail rents beds to ICE.
• Try the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with an A-number or name.

Enter a last name in VINELink.Booking takes time, so a new name may not show right away. Or call 217-322-4366. See our inmate search guide.

Local criminal cases go to the Brown County Courthouse, 200 Court Street, Room 5, Mount Sterling, IL 62353. The clerk answers at 217-773-2713. County records are on re:SearchIL or Judici.

Brown County has no city court: Illinois ended justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964.

Federal charges skip the county courthouse. The federal court that covers the Eighth Judicial Circuit area is the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, U.S. Courthouse, 600 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701 (217-492-4020). 18 U.S.C. 3142 governs release there. Money bonds are still allowed there (18 U.S.C. 3142(c)). While the federal case in Springfield is open, custody rests with the U.S. Marshals Service. After sentencing, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

In Brown County, every release requires court attendance and no new crimes. A judge may add terms under 725 ILCS 5/110-10:

• check-ins with pretrial services,
• no contact with a named person,
• home detention,
• drug tests and giving up guns.

Violations lead to a new hearing under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.

• Keep the case number handy.
• Attend court in Mount Sterling if you can.
• Read our phone guide.
• Deposits: sending money.
• VINELink sends custody alerts.