Where local cases are heard:

• Jo Daviess County Courthouse, Circuit Clerk (Suite 2C)
  Address: 330 North Bench Street, Galena, IL 61036. Phone 815-777-0037. 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. 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, where the defendant pleads.
4. Motions and plea offers.
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.

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. Clerk: 217-782-2586.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Galena (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. The record goes from here to Springfield (217-782-2586); briefs follow.
5. The Illinois Supreme Court may take the case on petition.

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

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 815-777-2141. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (815-777-0037).

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. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Jo Daviess 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.

The circuit court hears both (815-777-0037). Felonies (a year or more) go to Fifteenth Judicial Circuit judges (815-777-0037). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Jo Daviess County go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Select Jo Daviess County and type the case number.
3. Older county cases may be on Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 815-777-0037.

Local federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101, 815-987-4355. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Rockford, 18 U.S.C. 3142). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails nearby; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 330 North Bench Street, Galena, IL 61036: our mail and phone guides.