Local criminal courts:

• Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center and McHenry County Circuit Clerk
  Address: 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone 815-334-4190. 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. Open re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose McHenry County, then enter the name.
3. Some counties also post on Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 815-334-4190.

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 locally.
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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 815-334-4700. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (815-334-4190).

The Second District Appellate Court, 55 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 847-695-3750.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Woodstock (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 Elgin (847-695-3750), 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.

The county falls within 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. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Rockford, 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.

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.

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. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the McHenry County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means this 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.

The circuit court hears both (815-334-4190). Felonies (a year or more) go to Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit judges (815-334-4190). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave McHenry County for the Northern District of Illinois.

• Find the person: Local inmate search.
• 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.