Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Cass County Circuit Clerk, the courthouse
  Address: 100 E. Springfield Street, Virginia, IL 62691. Phone 217-452-7225. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile (single courthouse).

Illinois abolished separate city and justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964, so city courts are gone. Village hearing officers may take ordinance tickets (65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1).

Locally, 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.

Appeals from Cass County go to the Fourth District Appellate Court at 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704. Appellate clerk: 217-782-2586.

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
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 here to Springfield (217-782-2586); briefs follow.
5. A loss can go to the Illinois Supreme Court by petition for leave to appeal.

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

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). 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.

The circuit court hears both (217-452-7225). Felonies (a year or more) go to Eighth Judicial Circuit judges (217-452-7225). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal crimes from Cass County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

No. The courthouse is open, but people held on county cases stay at the Morgan County Jail, 300 West Court, Jacksonville, IL 62650 (217-245-4143).

1. Open re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose Cass County, then enter the name.
3. Some counties also post on Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 217-452-7225.

1. Within 48 hours: first appearance and release decision here. Details: Local bail and release.
2. Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
3. Arraignment in the courtroom.
4. Motions and plea offers.
5. Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

1. ICE can file an I-247A with the Morgan County Jail.
2. Under the Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15), Cass County won't add the 48 hours.
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.

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.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office is responsible for circuit court warrants and answers at 217-452-7718. A deputy can tell you by phone whether a warrant is active. A case record on the statewide re:SearchIL case portal is where a warrant would appear, logged on the day the judge signs it. Counsel can check it, or you once your filing is accepted. People held on Cass charges usually go to the Morgan County Jail in Jacksonville (217-245-4143), so a lawyer may set up a surrender there; ask the sheriff's office first which jail will take you. The Cass County circuit clerk can discuss a new court date at 100 E. Springfield Street, Virginia, IL 62691, 217-452-7225.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• 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.