Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Stephenson County Courthouse
  Address: 15 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032. Phone 815-235-8266. 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 circuit court hears both (815-235-8266). Felonies (a year or more) go to Fifteenth Judicial Circuit judges (815-235-8266). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Stephenson County go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

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.

Local federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101, 815-987-4355. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (Rockford, 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.

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

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 815-235-8290. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (815-235-8266).

The Fourth District Appellate Court, 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704, hears local appeals. Appellate 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. 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.

For a detention order, Rule 604(h) sets a fast track. 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition locally.

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. 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. A judge sets the sentence.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Choose Stephenson County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 815-235-8266.

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.

• 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.