Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Madison County Courthouse (traffic Suite 108, juvenile Room 118)
  Address: 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Phone 618-296-4470. Hears: traffic, misdemeanor and juvenile cases.
• Madison County Criminal Justice Center
  Address: 509 Ramey Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Phone 618-296-4470. Hears: criminal cases.
• Alton Law Enforcement Center area court (Tuesday and Friday only)
  Address: 1700 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002. Phone 618-692-6240. Hears: traffic and ordinance cases from the Alton area.

The 1964 reform ended city and justice-of-the-peace courts in Illinois, so local towns use the 3 courts listed above. 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 in the courtroom.
4. Pretrial motions and plea talks.
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 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.

1. Go to re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Select Madison County and type the case number.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 618-296-4470.

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

The circuit court hears both (618-296-4470). Felonies (a year or more) go to Third Judicial Circuit judges (618-296-4470). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal charges leave Madison County for the Southern District of Illinois.

The Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Appellate 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. Ask for the Office of the State Appellate Defender if the person cannot pay.
4. Transcripts travel to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
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.

From Edwardsville, the Madison County Sheriff's Office serves circuit warrants across the county, and Granite City, Alton and Collinsville officers arrest on them in town. Ring the sheriff at 618-692-6087 and a deputy will confirm the warrant. The Madison circuit clerk's court records search lists every case, and the statewide court portal re:SearchIL has the file too, reachable through your counsel or, if you have none, after an accepted e-filing or the clerk listing your email. Hire a lawyer to schedule a county jail surrender; the Suite 120 clerk resets missed hearings at the county courthouse, 155 N. Main Street, Suite 120, Edwardsville, IL 62025, 618-296-4470.

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. ICE may send a Form I-247A detainer to the Madison 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.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.