Where local cases are heard:

• Bureau County Courthouse and Circuit Clerk
  Address: 700 S. Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356. Phone 815-872-2001. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile (single courthouse).

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

1. First appearance (48 hours): the judge covers charges and release. See our release guide.
2. Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
3. Arraignment, where the defendant pleads.
4. Pretrial motions and plea talks.
5. Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

Warrants from Bureau County's circuit court are served by the sheriff's office; its number is 815-875-3344. Whoever answers at the office can check a name for warrants. Your case and any warrant in it also show on re:SearchIL (Illinois' statewide court portal): your lawyer can check it, or, without one, you can once the clerk links your email to the file or accepts an e-filing from it. The usual way to clear one is a planned surrender at the Bureau County Jail with your lawyer present, or a call to the circuit clerk about a new hearing. That office is at 700 S. Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356, 815-872-2001.

Local federal cases go to 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). While the case is open, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody; VINELink can help. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Bureau County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means this 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.

The Third District Appellate Court, 1004 Columbus Street, Ottawa, IL 61350, hears local appeals. Clerk: 815-434-5050.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Princeton (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 appeals court in Ottawa gets the record, then the briefs.
5. The Illinois Supreme Court may take the case on petition.

For a detention order, Rule 604(h) sets a fast track. Constitutional claims can later be raised under 725 ILCS 5/122-1.

1. Go to re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose Bureau County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 815-872-2001.

The circuit court hears both (815-872-2001). A felony (a year or more in prison) goes to a circuit judge (815-872-2001). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). A federal charge moves the case to Springfield.

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.

Here, juvenile court hears youth cases under 705 ILCS 405. Detained local youth go to a juvenile detention center chosen by the court. For anyone under 18, hearings are private.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.