Where county cases are heard:

• Douglas County Courthouse
  Address: 401 S. Center Street, Room 204, Tuscola, IL 61953. Phone 217-253-2352. 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 circuit court hears both (217-253-2352). Felonies (a year or more) go to Sixth Judicial Circuit judges (217-253-2352). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave Douglas County for the Central District of Illinois.

1. Go to re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose Douglas County, then enter the name.
3. Some counties also post on Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 217-253-2352.

Call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 217-253-2913. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (217-253-2352).

The Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Clerk: 618-242-3120.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Tuscola (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. Transcripts travel to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
5. The Illinois Supreme Court may take the case on petition.

Detention orders have a faster appeal under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h). After appeals, a post-conviction petition (725 ILCS 5/122-1) can raise constitutional claims.

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). 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. 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 in the courtroom.
4. Pretrial motions and plea talks.
5. Trial within 120 days if held in jail (725 ILCS 5/103-5), unless delayed by the defense.
6. Sentencing: probation, county jail time or state prison.

1. ICE can file an I-247A with the Douglas County Jail.
2. Under the Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15), this 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.

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.

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.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.