Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• McDonough County Courthouse
  Address: 1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455. Phone 309-837-4889. 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.

1. Go to re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Select McDonough County and type the case number.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 309-837-4889.

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 Fourth District Appellate Court, 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704, hears local appeals. Clerk: 217-782-2586.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Macomb (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
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 Springfield (217-782-2586), 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.

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: the plea is entered here.
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.

Local federal cases go to 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). While the case is open, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody; VINELink can help. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Yes. The McDonough County Sheriff's Office in Macomb posts a warrant list, and its deputies serve warrants countywide, with local police handling many in town. Ring the sheriff at 309-833-2323 to confirm one. Local cases are on Judici as well, the clerk's chosen docket site rather than the statewide re:SearchIL database, and a warrant would be logged in yours. A criminal lawyer can set up a jail surrender, or the Courthouse Square clerk can reset a missed McDonough court date. Its office works out of the county courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455, phone 309-837-4889.

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.

The circuit court hears both (309-837-4889). Felonies (a year or more) go to Ninth Judicial Circuit judges (309-837-4889). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave McDonough County for the Central District of Illinois.

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