Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Edgar County Courthouse
  Address: 115 W. Court Street, Room M, Paris, IL 61944. Phone 217-466-7447. 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). 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.

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.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Edgar 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, where the defendant pleads.
4. Pretrial motions and plea talks.
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.

The circuit court hears both (217-466-7447). Felonies (a year or more) go to Fifth Judicial Circuit judges (217-466-7447). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave Edgar County for the Central District of Illinois.

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

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Paris (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
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. 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.

Edgar County's warrants are served from the sheriff's office; call 217-465-4166. Deputies handle warrant checks by phone, whether the case came from Chrisman, Kansas or anywhere else in the county. An Edgar case on the statewide re:SearchIL search is where a warrant would show. Counsel can see it; on your own, you gain access when an e-filing from your email is accepted. Your defense lawyer can pick the day for an Edgar County Jail surrender, and the circuit clerk can schedule a new date. The clerk is in Room M at 115 W. Court Street, Paris, IL 61944, phone 217-466-7447.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Select Edgar County and type the case number.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 217-466-7447.

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: Local inmate search.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 228 North Central, Paris, IL 61944: our mail and phone guides.