Where local cases are heard:

• DeKalb County Courthouse: Traffic and Criminal Clerk in Room 136 (1st floor), courtrooms on floors 1 to 3
  Address: 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178. Phone 815-895-7138. 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.

For someone leaving the county jail for prison, classification comes first. Use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search and our Illinois state prisons guide.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 815-895-1633. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (815-895-7138).

Local federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101, 815-987-4355. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Rockford, 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.

The Second District Appellate Court, 55 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 847-695-3750.

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 clerk sends the record to Elgin; both sides file briefs.
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.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the DeKalb 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.

1. Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. See our release guide.
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 within 120 days if held in jail (725 ILCS 5/103-5), unless delayed by the defense.
6. A judge sets the sentence.

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.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Choose DeKalb County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 815-895-7138.

The circuit court hears both (815-895-7138). Felonies (a year or more) go to Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit judges (815-895-7138). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave DeKalb County for the Northern District of Illinois.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 150 N. Main, Sycamore, IL 60178: our mail and phone guides.