Local criminal courts:

• Hancock County Courthouse and Circuit Clerk
  Address: 500 Main Street on the Public Square, Carthage, IL 62321. Phone 217-357-2616. 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.

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. Visit re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Select Hancock County and type the case number.
3. Older county cases may be on Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 217-357-2616.

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 Fourth District Appellate Court, 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 217-782-2586.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Carthage (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
2. Notice of appeal: within 30 days, to the county clerk (Rule 606).
3. Low income? The judge can appoint the Office of the State Appellate Defender.
4. Transcripts travel to Springfield (217-782-2586), 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). 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition locally.

The circuit court hears both (217-357-2616). Felonies (a year or more) go to Ninth Judicial Circuit judges (217-357-2616). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave Hancock County for the Central District of Illinois.

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.

1. Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. More in our pretrial release page.
2. Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
3. Arraignment: the plea is entered here.
4. Motions and plea offers.
5. Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 217-357-2115. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (217-357-2616).

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

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.