Local criminal courts:

• Clark County Courthouse
  Address: 501 Archer Avenue, Marshall, IL 62441. Phone 217-826-2811. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile (single courthouse).

Illinois abolished separate city and justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964, so city courts are gone. Under 65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1, towns may hear ordinance tickets themselves.

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.

The circuit court hears both (217-826-2811). Felonies (a year or more) go to Fifth Judicial Circuit judges (217-826-2811). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Clark County go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Appeals from Clark County go to the Fifth District Appellate Court at 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864. The appellate clerk answers at 618-242-3120.

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
2. Notice of appeal: within 30 days, to the county clerk (Rule 606).
3. Ask for the Office of the State Appellate Defender if the person cannot pay.
4. The record goes from this county to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120); 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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 217-826-6393. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (217-826-2811).

The county falls within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois: Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201, 618-482-9371. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (East St. Louis, 18 U.S.C. 3142). Until trial, the U.S. Marshals Service may hold a defendant in a county jail; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

1. ICE may send a Form I-247A detainer to the Clark County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means the 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.

1. Within 48 hours: first appearance and release decision in this county. 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. Motions and plea offers.
5. Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. Sentencing: probation, county jail time or state prison.

1. Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose Clark County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 217-826-2811.

For someone leaving the county jail for prison, classification comes first. For each move, use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search; also read our Illinois state prisons guide.

• 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.