Pope County Jail

No money is needed, since Pope County sets no bail amount. Up to 2023, a family would post 10 percent of a bond. That step is gone under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

• Illinois outlawed for-profit bail bonds in 1963.
• Hang up and call 618-683-4321 if someone asks for release money.
• Testing or GPS fees in Pope County are separate from bail.

The first court date comes within about 48 hours. In Pope County, that hearing is held at the courthouse, 310 East Main Street, Golconda, IL 62938, 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.

It can happen, within limits set in 2023. A petition to deny release comes first (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1). A hearing comes next, within 24 to 48 hours in most cases.

Detention in Pope County needs clear and convincing proof that:

• the offense is one that allows detention;
• release would endanger someone;
• and no conditions could fix that risk.

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

No one under 18 goes to the County Jail. A judge picks the youth Detention Center (705 ILCS 405/5-410). A detention hearing must happen within 40 hours, not counting weekends (705 ILCS 405/5-415). No public list shows youth.

The First Judicial Circuit hears local cases at the Pope County Courthouse, 310 East Main Street, Golconda, IL 62938. The clerk answers at 618-683-8100. Find the court dates on re:SearchIL or Judici.

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

A prison term begins 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.

A federal case does not stay locally. Pope County is covered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201 (618-482-9371). The Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. 3142, applies. 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.

Not locally. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) stops the Saline County Jail from honoring an I-247A hold. The exception is a judge's warrant.

• ICE can still arrest someone leaving the Saline County Jail.
• Since 2022, no Illinois jail rents beds to ICE.
• Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with an A-number or name.

Type the last name into VINELink.The Sheriff's Office may post new bookings late. Or call 618-252-4805. More tips are in our inmate search guide.

Low income? The court names the public defender. Call the court line, 618-683-8100. For appeals, the state has the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Everyone released in Pope County must attend court in Golconda. 725 ILCS 5/110-10 allows more, such as:

• regular calls with probation staff,
• a stay-away order,
• a curfew or home confinement,
• alcohol testing and no weapons.

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

The law at 725 ILCS 5/110-5 lists the factors:

• how serious the charge is,
• criminal history and any skipped hearings,
• steady work or school in this county,
• and whether conditions could protect others.

Under the 2023 law, money is not a factor. The Public Defender can use proof of work.

• Note the charge and local hearing date.
• Family may attend court in Golconda.
• See the phone call guide.
• Our money page covers deposits.
• Get release alerts from VINELink.

Where local cases are heard:

• Pope County Courthouse
  Address: 310 East Main Street, Golconda, IL 62938. Phone 618-683-8100. 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. ICE may send a Form I-247A detainer to the Saline County Jail.
2. Under the Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15), Pope 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.

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.

1. Open re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose Pope County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 618-683-8100.

The county falls within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois: Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201, 618-482-9371. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (East St. Louis, 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 Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Appellate clerk: 618-242-3120.

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
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. The Illinois Supreme Court may take the case on petition.

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

The courthouse is open. Detainees stay at the Saline County Jail, 1 North Main Street, Harrisburg, IL 62946, phone 618-252-4805.

1. Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. More in our pretrial release page.
2. Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
3. Arraignment in the courtroom.
4. Discovery, motions and possible plea deals here.
5. Trial within 120 days if held in jail (725 ILCS 5/103-5), unless delayed by the defense.
6. A judge sets the sentence.

The circuit court hears both (618-683-8100). Felonies (a year or more) go to First Judicial Circuit judges (618-683-8100). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal crimes from Pope County go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

The sheriff serves the county's warrants along the Ohio River; call 618-683-4321. Deputies confirm warrants by phone. Pope files appear on Illinois' statewide re:SearchIL records site, where a warrant is recorded. An attorney sees the record, and a party without one sees it after an accepted e-filing. Pope has no jail, so the county sends its arrestees to Harrisburg's Saline County Jail; a lawyer can arrange that surrender through the sheriff, or the clerk on East Main can set a new court date. Find the clerk inside the courthouse at 310 East Main Street, Golconda, IL 62938, reachable at 618-683-8100.

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.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 1 North Main Street, Harrisburg, IL 62946: our mail and phone guides.