Where local cases are heard:

• Lake County Courthouse (the county)
  Address: 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. Phone 847-377-3380. Hears: felony and misdemeanor cases.
• Mundelein Branch Court
  Address: 105 E. Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060. Phone 847-377-3300. Hears: traffic, DUI and misdemeanor calls for nearby towns.
• Park City Branch Court
  Address: 301 S. Greenleaf Street, Park City, IL 60085. Phone 847-377-3500. Hears: traffic, DUI and misdemeanor calls for nearby towns.
• Round Lake Beach Branch Court (North Branch)
  Address: 1792 Nicole Lane, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073. Phone 847-377-3400. Hears: traffic, DUI and misdemeanor calls for nearby towns.
• Juvenile Branch Court
  Address: 24647 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Phone 847-377-7888. Hears: juvenile cases.

The 1964 reform ended city and justice-of-the-peace courts in Illinois, so local towns use the 5 courts listed above. Some villages run their own ordinance hearings (65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1).

The county falls within the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604, 312-435-5670. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Chicago, 18 U.S.C. 3142). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails here; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

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 in the courtroom.
4. Pretrial motions and plea talks.
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.

The circuit court hears both (847-377-3380). Felonies (a year or more) go to Nineteenth Judicial Circuit judges (847-377-3380). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Lake County go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The Second District Appellate Court, 55 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 847-695-3750.

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 Elgin (847-695-3750), 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.

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.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Choose Lake County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 847-377-3380.

Here, juvenile court hears youth cases under 705 ILCS 405. Detained youth are held at the Lake County Juvenile Detention. For anyone under 18, hearings are private.

Lake County warrants go out from the sheriff's office beside the courthouse, while Waukegan, North Chicago and other Lake towns arrest on them inside city limits. Deputies answer at 847-377-4000, and the county's warrant information page links the sheriff's Active Warrants list. Local case files on the statewide re:SearchIL portal are the other check. Defense counsel can make that check, and so can an unrepresented filer once the court accepts their filing. Through a defense attorney you can surrender at the county's jail on County Street, or the clerk can reset a missed appearance. The circuit court clerk keeps its office at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085, and its phone is 847-377-3380.

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

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.