Where county cases are heard:

• Whiteside County Courthouse
  Address: 200 East Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270. Phone 815-772-5188. 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 (815-772-5188). Felonies (a year or more) go to 14th Judicial Circuit judges (815-772-5188). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal charges leave Whiteside County for the Northern District of Illinois.

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. Motions and plea offers.
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.

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). While the case is open, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody; VINELink can help. 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.

1. Go to re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
2. Choose Whiteside County, then enter the name.
3. Older local cases may be on Judici.
4. Or phone the clerk, 815-772-5188.

The sheriff's office covers Whiteside County warrant service, and Sterling and Rock Falls police make warrant arrests inside their cities. The sheriff answers at 815-772-4044, and deputies can confirm a warrant over the phone. County cases feed Illinois' statewide re:SearchIL records site, where a warrant order is entered and your lawyer can read it, as can a self-represented party whose e-filing in the case went through. With a lawyer, surrender at the jail happens on a day you choose, and the clerk on Knox Street gives new dates for missed court appearances. That clerk is in the Whiteside County Courthouse at 200 East Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270, phone 815-772-5188.

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

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.

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

1. Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Morrison (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. The record goes from here to Springfield (217-782-2586); briefs follow.
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.

• Find the person: Local inmate search.
• 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.