Putnam County Jail

There is no price on release in Putnam County anymore. 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 815-925-7084 if someone asks for release money.
• Testing or GPS fees in Putnam County are separate from bail.

Illinois expects a first appearance within 48 hours. In Putnam County, that hearing is held at the Putnam County Circuit Clerk, 120 N. Fourth Street, Hennepin, IL 61327, 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.

Everyone released in Putnam County must attend court in Hennepin. Extra rules under 725 ILCS 5/110-10 can include:

• pretrial check-ins,
• a stay-away order,
• home detention,
• alcohol testing and no weapons.

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

Cases from Putnam County are heard in the circuit clerk, 120 N. Fourth Street, Hennepin, IL 61327. Clerk: 815-925-7016. Look up local case numbers on re:SearchIL and Judici.

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

Low income? The court names the public defender. Call the court line, 815-925-7016. Appeal help: Office of the State Appellate Defender.

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.

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

• the facts of the case,
• prior convictions and court attendance,
• ties to family, work and school,
• and whether conditions could protect others.

Wealth has not mattered since 2023. Give the Public Defender pay stubs or a lease.

Enter a last name in VINELink.The Sheriff's Office may post new bookings late. Or call 815-925-7015. See our inmate search page.

It can happen, within limits set in 2023. A petition to deny release comes first (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1). The detention hearing then takes place within 24 to 48 hours.

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

• the charge is detainable under the law;
• the person is dangerous or may flee;
• and conditions would not solve the problem.

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

Not locally. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) blocks I-247A holds in this county. This 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.

A federal case does not stay locally. Putnam County is covered by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, U.S. Courthouse, 600 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701 (217-492-4020). The Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. 3142, applies. Cash bonds remain possible under 18 U.S.C. 3142(c), unlike state cases. Before trial, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody. Once sentenced, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Youth under 18 do not go to the jail. The court sends local youth to a juvenile Detention Center. Under 705 ILCS 405/5-415, a youth gets a hearing within 40 hours, minus weekends and holidays. The Tenth Judicial Circuit keeps juvenile files closed to the public.

• Keep the case number handy.
• Attend court in Hennepin if you can.
• See the phone call guide.
• Add money: see our money guide.
• Get release alerts from VINELink.

Local criminal courts:

• Putnam County Circuit Clerk
  Address: 120 N. Fourth Street, Hennepin, IL 61327. Phone 815-925-7016. 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.

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. ICE may send a Form I-247A detainer to the Putnam 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.

Putnam, the smallest county in Illinois, has its warrants served by the sheriff's office; call 815-925-7084. Confirming a warrant takes a deputy a few minutes on the phone. Every case goes on the one county docket, and the record on re:SearchIL, a statewide portal, shows any warrant; your attorney can open it, or you can if you represent yourself and your e-filing was accepted or the clerk added your email. Hired counsel can set up a Putnam County Jail surrender, and the clerk on Fourth Street handles requests to reschedule a missed hearing. Mail or deliver papers to 120 N. Fourth Street, Hennepin, IL 61327, or phone the circuit clerk at 815-925-7016.

The circuit court hears both (815-925-7016). Felonies (a year or more) go to Tenth Judicial Circuit judges (815-925-7016). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal crimes from Putnam County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

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. 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.

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 Hennepin (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 Springfield (217-782-2586), 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). After appeals, a post-conviction petition (725 ILCS 5/122-1) can raise constitutional claims.

1. Visit re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose Putnam County, then enter the name.
3. Older local cases may be on Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 815-925-7016.

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). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails here; check VINELink. 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.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 120 North 4th Street, Hennepin, IL 61327: our mail and phone guides.