Local criminal courts:

• Hardin County Courthouse
  Address: Courthouse Hill, Elizabethtown, IL 62931. Phone 618-287-2735. 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.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Hardin 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. 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 locally.
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 here, which may mean probation, jail or prison.

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 Elizabethtown (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 Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
5. A loss can go to the Illinois Supreme Court by petition for leave to appeal.

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 (618-287-2735). Felonies (a year or more) go to Second Judicial Circuit judges (618-287-2735). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave Hardin County for the Southern District of Illinois.

Local federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois: Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201, 618-482-9371. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (East St. Louis, 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.

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 register for free.
2. Choose Hardin County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 618-287-2735.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 618-287-2271. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (618-287-2735).

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.

• 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.