Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Brown County Courthouse
  Address: 200 Court Street, Room 5, Mount Sterling, IL 62353. Phone 217-773-2713. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile (single courthouse).

Since 1964, Illinois has had no city or justice-of-the-peace courts; towns in this county send arrests to this county. Under 65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1, towns may hear ordinance tickets themselves.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 217-773-2011. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (217-773-2713).

The Fourth District Appellate Court, 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 217-782-2586.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Mount Sterling (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
2. Notice of appeal: within 30 days, to the county clerk (Rule 606).
3. The Office of the State Appellate Defender represents people who can't afford a lawyer.
4. The record goes from this county to Springfield (217-782-2586); briefs follow.
5. The Illinois Supreme Court may take the case on petition.

For a detention order, Rule 604(h) sets a fast track. 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition locally.

Here, juvenile court hears youth cases under 705 ILCS 405. Detained minors are placed in a youth center, not the adult jail. For anyone under 18, hearings are private.

The courthouse is open. Detainees stay at the Schuyler County Jail, 216 West Lafayette Street, Rushville, IL 62681, phone 217-322-4366.

The county falls within the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois: U.S. Courthouse, 600 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701, 217-492-4020. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Springfield, 18 U.S.C. 3142). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails nearby; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

1. Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. See our release guide.
2. A felony needs probable cause: a preliminary hearing or grand jury, often within 30 days if the person is held.
3. Arraignment in the courtroom.
4. Motions and plea offers.
5. Trial within 120 days if held in jail (725 ILCS 5/103-5), unless delayed by the defense.
6. Sentencing: probation, county jail time or state prison.

The circuit court hears both (217-773-2713). Felonies (a year or more) go to Eighth Judicial Circuit judges (217-773-2713). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Cases under federal law go to the Springfield federal court.

A prisoner sent from the county jail goes to state intake first. Use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search and our Illinois state prisons guide.

1. Go to re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose Brown County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 217-773-2713.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Schuyler County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means Brown County ignores the hold request.
3. The Illinois Courthouse Civil Rights Act (705 ILCS 90) bars civil arrests of people attending court.
4. Detainees often leave Illinois; check the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
5. Immigration consequences matter; tell the public defender or your lawyer before any plea.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 216 West Lafayette Street, Rushville, IL 62681: our mail and phone guides.