Where local cases are heard:

• Mason County Courthouse
  Address: 125 N. Plum Street, Havana, IL 62644. Phone 309-543-6619. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile.

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.

The county falls within the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois: U.S. Courthouse, 600 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701, 217-492-4020. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Springfield, 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. ICE can file an I-247A with the Mason County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means the 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.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Choose Mason County, then enter the name.
3. Older county cases may be on Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 309-543-6619.

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. 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 Springfield (217-782-2586), then briefs are filed.
5. A loss can go to the Illinois Supreme Court by petition for leave to appeal.

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

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. 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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 309-543-2231. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (309-543-6619).

The circuit court hears both (309-543-6619). Felonies (a year or more) go to Eighth Judicial Circuit judges (309-543-6619). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Mason County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

• Find the person: Local inmate search.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 102 West Market Street, Havana, IL 62644: our mail and phone guides.