Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Piatt County Courthouse
  Address: 101 W. Washington Street, Monticello, IL 61856. Phone 217-762-4966. 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 Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 618-242-3120.

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Monticello (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. Transcripts travel to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
5. A loss can go to the Illinois Supreme Court by petition for leave to appeal.

Detention orders have a faster appeal under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h). 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition here.

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). 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.

The Piatt County Sheriff's Office serves the county's warrants, from Bement and Cerro Gordo to the Sangamon River towns; call 217-762-7822. Deputies check warrant status for callers by phone. Piatt files are searchable on re:SearchIL, the statewide case search, and a warrant shows there with its date. Defense counsel can search them; a self-represented party can after the clerk records their email. A criminal defense attorney can plan your self-surrender at the Piatt County Jail, and the clerk on Washington Street can reschedule a skipped hearing. The clerk sits in the county courthouse at 101 W. Washington Street, Monticello, IL 61856, phone 217-762-4966.

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 circuit court hears both (217-762-4966). Felonies (a year or more) go to Sixth Judicial Circuit judges (217-762-4966). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal crimes from Piatt County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Piatt 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. 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 in the courtroom.
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.

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. Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Select Piatt County and type the case number.
3. Older county cases may be on Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 217-762-4966.

• 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 1216 Raymond Road, Monticello, IL 61856: our mail and phone guides.