Bureau County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Bail money plays no part in local release decisions. Years ago, relatives paid a 10 percent deposit at the county courthouse. That step is gone under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

• Illinois outlawed for-profit bail bonds in 1963.
• Hang up and call 815-875-3344 if someone asks for release money.
• A judge here may order program or monitoring costs.

Illinois expects a first appearance within 48 hours. In Bureau County, that hearing is held at the courthouse, 700 S. Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356, or over a video link from the County Jail. There, a judge in the county reads the charge, may appoint the Public Defender, and sets release terms.

• Weekends count toward the 48 hours.
• For a petty offense, the Sheriff's Office may issue only a ticket.

Federal charges skip the county courthouse. They are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, U.S. Courthouse, 600 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701 (217-492-4020). The Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. 3142, applies. A magistrate may set a money bond (18 U.S.C. 3142(c)). Before trial, a defendant stays in U.S. Marshals Service custody. Once sentenced, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

The law at 725 ILCS 5/110-5 lists the factors:

• the charge and the police report,
• criminal history and any skipped hearings,
• a job, a home and family nearby,
• and whether conditions could protect others.

Since 2023, a bank balance changes nothing. Pay stubs help the Public Defender.

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

• Agents may wait outside after a release.
• Detainees from here are often sent out of state.
• Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with an A-number or name.

Youth under 18 are kept out of the County Jail. The court sends local youth to a juvenile Detention Center. A detention hearing must happen within 40 hours, not counting weekends (705 ILCS 405/5-415). Names of minors never show on the jail roster.

Everyone released in Bureau County must attend court in Princeton. Under 725 ILCS 5/110-10, judges may add:

• regular calls with probation staff,
• staying away from an alleged victim,
• home detention,
• testing and surrender of firearms.

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

The judges appoint the Public Defender for those who can't pay. Call the clerk, 815-872-2001. Appeals go through the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Local criminal cases go to the Bureau County Courthouse, 700 S. Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356. The clerk answers at 815-872-2001. Search local cases on re:SearchIL or Judici.

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

It can happen, within limits set in 2023. To hold someone, the prosecutor here 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 crime is on the list of detainable charges;
• the person is dangerous or may flee;
• and no release rules would be enough.

In this county, the defense can push back with a release plan. Appeals from a detention order follow Rule 604(h).

A prison term begins at an Illinois Department of Corrections reception center. After classification there, the prisoner moves to a long-term prison; follow each move on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search. Read our Illinois state prisons guide.

Type the last name into VINELink.It can take one to three hours for a booking to post. Phone: 815-875-3344. More tips are in our inmate search guide.

• Note the charge and local hearing date.
• Attend court in Princeton if you can.
• Read our phone guide.
• Add money: see our money guide.
• VINELink sends custody alerts.