Where county cases are heard:

• DeWitt County Circuit Clerk, the courthouse
  Address: 201 W. Washington Street, Clinton, IL 61727. Phone 217-935-7750. 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.

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). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails here; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Call the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office at 217-935-9507. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. Surrendering with a lawyer in this county is often safer.

1. Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. Details: Local bail and release.
2. Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
3. Arraignment: the plea is entered in the county.
4. Motions and plea offers.
5. Speedy trial: 120 days in custody, 160 days on release, after a demand (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

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.

The circuit court hears both (217-935-7750). Felonies (a year or more) go to Sixth Judicial Circuit judges (217-935-7750). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal crimes from DeWitt County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

1. Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose DeWitt County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 217-935-7750.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the DeWitt 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 Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Clerk: 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. The Office of the State Appellate Defender represents people who can't afford a lawyer.
4. Transcripts travel to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
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 here.

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.

• 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.