Local criminal courts:

• Jefferson County Circuit Clerk , the courthouse
  Address: 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Phone 618-244-8008. 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 Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Clerk: 618-242-3120.

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 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.

For a detention order, Rule 604(h) sets a fast track. 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition locally.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Choose Jefferson County, then enter the name.
3. Some counties also post on Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 618-244-8008.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 618-244-8004. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (618-244-8008).

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). 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.

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.

1. ICE can file an I-247A with the Jefferson 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.

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 circuit court hears both (618-244-8008). Felonies (a year or more) go to Second Judicial Circuit judges (618-244-8008). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave Jefferson County for the Southern District of Illinois.

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. Discovery, motions and possible plea deals here.
5. Speedy trial: 120 days in custody, 160 days on release, after a demand (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 81 Elkins Rd, Mt. Vernon, IL 98339: our mail and phone guides.