Local criminal courts:

• Tazewell County Justice Center
  Address: 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554. Phone 309-477-2775. 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 (309-477-2775). Felonies (a year or more) go to Tenth Judicial Circuit judges (309-477-2775). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Tazewell County go to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

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. The Illinois Supreme Court may take the case on petition.

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.

The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office serves warrants from the Court Street courts, and city police in the seat, East Peoria, Morton and Washington arrest on them too. The sheriff answers at 309-478-5607; deputies there confirm warrants. Cases from every town share one docket on re:SearchIL, a statewide records site, warrants included. Your lawyer sees that docket, and so do you after your email is added by the clerk. Hired counsel can arrange a Tazewell County Jail surrender, and the Justice Center clerk can reschedule a missed hearing. Its counter is in the Justice Center at 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554, phone 309-477-2775.

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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

1. Go to re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Select Tazewell County and type the case number.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 309-477-2775.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Tazewell County Jail.
2. Under the Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15), this 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.

• Locate them with our inmate guide.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 101 S. Capitol Street, Pekin, IL 61554: our mail and phone guides.