Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Johnson County Circuit Clerk (courthouse)
  Address: 105 North Sixth Street, Vienna, IL 62995. Phone 618-658-4751. 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.

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). 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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 618-658-8264. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (618-658-4751).

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. ICE can file an I-247A with the Massac County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means Johnson 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.

The courthouse is open. Detainees stay at the Massac County Jail, 515 Market Street, Metropolis, IL 62960, phone 618-524-2912.

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. Pretrial motions and plea talks.
5. Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

The circuit court hears both (618-658-4751). Felonies (a year or more) go to First Judicial Circuit judges (618-658-4751). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal charges leave Johnson County for the Southern District of Illinois.

The Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Clerk: 618-242-3120.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Vienna (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
2. Notice of appeal: within 30 days, to the county clerk (Rule 606).
3. The Office of the State Appellate Defender represents people who can't afford a lawyer.
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). After appeals, a post-conviction petition (725 ILCS 5/122-1) can raise constitutional claims.

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.

1. Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Select Johnson County and type the case number.
3. Older local cases may be on Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 618-658-4751.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 515 Market Street, Metropolis, IL 62960: our mail and phone guides.