McHenry County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

No money is needed, since McHenry County sets no bail amount. Before 2023, local families paid 10 percent deposits. The Pretrial Fairness Act did away with it.

• Illinois outlawed for-profit bail bonds in 1963.
• Hang up and call 815-334-4700 if someone asks for release money.
• Testing or GPS fees in McHenry County are separate from bail.

Illinois expects a first appearance within 48 hours. In McHenry County, that hearing is held at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center and the circuit clerk, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098, or over a video link from the County Jail. The judge reads the charge (725 ILCS 5/109-1) and rules on release; the Public Defender can be appointed.

• Saturdays and Sundays count in the 48 hours.
• For a petty offense, the Sheriff's Office may issue only a ticket.

No one under 18 goes to the County Jail. A judge picks the youth Detention Center (705 ILCS 405/5-410). The Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/5-415) sets a 40-hour hearing deadline. Juvenile records stay private.

Not in this county. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) stops the jail from honoring an I-247A hold. The county acts only on a judge's warrant.

• Agents may wait outside after a release.
• Since 2022, no Illinois jail rents beds to ICE.
• Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with an A-number or name.

Everyone released in McHenry County must attend court in Woodstock. A judge may add terms under 725 ILCS 5/110-10:

• check-ins with pretrial services,
• staying away from an alleged victim,
• GPS monitoring or a curfew,
• testing and surrender of firearms.

Violations lead to a new hearing under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.

A federal case does not stay locally. McHenry County is covered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101 (815-987-4355). A magistrate judge sets release under 18 U.S.C. 3142. Money bonds are still allowed there (18 U.S.C. 3142(c)). Pretrial custody is with the U.S. Marshals Service. A federal sentence means checking the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

A prison sentence starts at an Illinois Department of Corrections reception center. Each transfer appears on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search. Read our Illinois state prisons guide.

Only for some charges listed in 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The prosecutor must file first (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1). A hearing comes next, within 24 to 48 hours in most cases.

Keeping someone in the county jail takes clear and convincing proof that:

• the offense is one that allows detention;
• the person threatens others or may run;
• and no mix of conditions would work.

The defense answers at the hearing. Rule 604(h) gives the defense a fast appeal.

Section 110-5 (725 ILCS 5/110-5) tells the judge to weigh:

• the facts of the case,
• past record and missed court dates,
• steady work or school locally,
• and whether conditions could protect others.

Wealth has not mattered since 2023. Bring the Public Defender school records or rent receipts.

Enter a last name in the inmate search.The Sheriff's Office may post new bookings late. Or call 815-338-9396. Step-by-step help is in our inmate search page.

Yes, the public defender. Ask the county clerk, 815-334-4190. After a conviction, help comes from the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

This county is part of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit; its court sits at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center and the circuit clerk, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098. Circuit clerk: 815-334-4190. Look up local case numbers on re:SearchIL or Judici.

McHenry County has no city court: Illinois ended justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964.

• Note the charge and local hearing date.
• Go to the hearing; it is open.
• See the phone call guide.
• Our money page covers deposits.
• Sign up on VINELink.