Local criminal courts:

• Washington County Judicial Center / Circuit Clerk
  Address: 125 E. Elm Street, Nashville, IL 62263. Phone 618-327-4800. 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.

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.

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

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.

1. Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose Washington County, then enter the name.
3. Older local cases may be on Judici.
4. Or ask the clerk: 618-327-4800.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 618-327-8273. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (618-327-4800).

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. Low income? The judge can appoint the Office of the State Appellate Defender.
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 here.

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, 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.

The circuit court hears both (618-327-4800). Felonies (a year or more) go to Twenty-Fourth Judicial Circuit judges (618-327-4800). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal crimes from Washington County go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Plan a visit with our visitation page.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 245 N. Kaskaskia Street, Nashville, IL 62263: our mail and phone guides.