Where county cases are heard:

• McLean County Circuit Clerk
  Address: 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Phone 309-888-5301. 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.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 309-888-5034. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (309-888-5301).

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 circuit court hears both (309-888-5301). Felonies (a year or more) go to Eleventh Judicial Circuit judges (309-888-5301). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal charges leave McLean County for the Central District of Illinois.

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. Motions and plea offers.
5. Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
6. A judge sets the sentence.

1. Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Select McLean County and type the case number.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 309-888-5301.

1. ICE can file an I-247A with the McLean County Detention Center.
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 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). Until trial, the U.S. Marshals Service may hold a defendant in a county jail; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

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

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 Bloomington (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
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. The record goes from here to Springfield (217-782-2586); briefs follow.
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.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.