Local criminal courts:

• Henry County Courthouse, Circuit Clerk
  Address: 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238. Phone 309-937-3572. 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 Henry 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.

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

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
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). After appeals, a post-conviction petition (725 ILCS 5/122-1) can raise constitutional claims.

Local federal cases go to 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 in this county; 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. Discovery, motions and possible plea deals here.
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.

The circuit court hears both (309-937-3572). Felonies (a year or more) go to 14th Judicial Circuit judges (309-937-3572). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal charges leave Henry County for the Central District of Illinois.

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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 309-937-3911. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (309-937-3572).

1. Open re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose Henry County, then enter the name.
3. Some counties also post on Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 309-937-3572.

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.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 311 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238: our mail and phone guides.