Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• LaSalle County Criminal Justice Center (Traffic/Criminal Clerk, Room 141)
  Address: 707 E. Etna Road, Ottawa, IL 61350. Phone 815-434-8271. Hears: felony, misdemeanor, DUI and traffic cases.
• Streator traffic and criminal court (at the Streator Police Department)
  Address: 204 S. Bloomington Street, Streator, IL 61364. Phone 815-434-8271. Hears: traffic and criminal calls from the Streator area.

The 1964 reform ended city and justice-of-the-peace courts in Illinois, so local towns use the 2 courts listed above. Village hearing officers may take ordinance tickets (65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1).

The circuit court hears both (815-434-8271). Felonies (a year or more) go to Thirteenth Judicial Circuit judges (815-434-8271). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal charges leave LaSalle County for the Northern District of Illinois.

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 LaSalle 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.

1. Go to re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose LaSalle County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 815-434-8271.

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.

The Third District Appellate Court, 1004 Columbus Street, Ottawa, IL 61350, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 815-434-5050.

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
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 Ottawa (815-434-5050), 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.

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. 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.

Local federal cases go to 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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 815-433-2161. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (815-434-8271).

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.