Local criminal courts:

• Sangamon County Complex
  Address: 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 405, Springfield, IL 62701. Phone 217-753-6674. 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 someone leaving the county jail for prison, classification comes first. Use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search and our Illinois state prisons guide.

In the state capital, local police make most in-city warrant arrests, and the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office serves warrants across Chatham, Rochester and the rest of the county. Deputies answer at 217-753-6855, and any caller can ask them about a warrant. In the capital, deputies at the jail handle warrant checks, and the Sangamon case files on re:SearchIL, the statewide records portal, are the record to read. Counsel reads them, or you once your e-filing clears. A local lawyer can plan a surrender at the Sangamon County Detention Facility. New court dates come from the clerk in Room 405 of the county complex, 200 S. Ninth Street, Springfield, IL 62701, or call the clerk at 217-753-6674.

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

The circuit court hears both (217-753-6674). Felonies (a year or more) go to Seventh Judicial Circuit judges (217-753-6674). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Sangamon County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

1. Visit re:SearchIL and register for free.
2. Choose Sangamon County, then enter the name.
3. Older local cases may be on Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 217-753-6674.

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, where the defendant pleads.
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.

1. ICE may send a Form I-247A detainer to the Sangamon County Detention Facility.
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.

The Fourth District Appellate Court, 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704, hears local appeals. Clerk: 217-782-2586.

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
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 Springfield (217-782-2586), 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.

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). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails nearby; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• 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.