If an arrested person is held in police custody overnight, they will have a First Appearance in court within 48 hours.
The time and place of a First Appearance in Cook County depends on the location of the arrest, the nature of the accusation and the day of the week. Click on the tabs at the bottom of this page for First Appearance times and places.
Tips for First Appearance Court
- Arrive on time (for people not in custody)
- Dress appropriately, reflecting the formal nature of the courtroom
- Behave respectfully
- Turn off cellphones and remain quiet
- Bring printed documents showing the arrestee's ties to the community, such as work schedule, school schedule or recent utility bill in their name. These documents will help the defense attorney demonstrate to the judge that the arrestee does not pose a threat to the community and does not present a flight risk.
If the arrestee is released on electronic monitoring after the First Appearance hearing, it is vital to provide the correct address and phone number to the court.
After the First Appearance
After the First Appearance, assuming the arrestee is released, it is extremely important for them to show up to the next court appearance and maintain good contact with their attorney.
Free Court Reminders: The Circuit Court of Cook County has a Court Reminder System to provide telephone or text message court date reminders to anyone arrested and charged with a felony or misdemeanor offense in the county. Please use this portal to sign up for court reminders.
Should a person lose the information on their next court date, they can contact their attorney using this directory.
To find out who your or your friend or family member's attorney is, call (312) 603-0600. The Cook County Public Defender's Office has attorneys working out of each courthouse. Phone numbers for all of our locations are here.
A court case may take months or even years to resolve. It is vital that during this time an attorney is able to reach their client in a timely fashion. Clients and witnesses should inform the client’s attorney of any change in contact information as soon as possible, including phone, email and address changes.
Weekday felony and misdemeanor arrests, Chicago, people in custody
Homicide and felony sex offenses except failure to register
First Appearance and Detention Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Branch 66, Room 102
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Phone: 773-674-5882
Court call begins at 11:30 a.m.
Misdemeanours and felonies, except domestic violence cases
First Appearance Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Branch 1, Room 100
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Phone: 773-674-5882
Court call begins at 12:30 p.m.
Misdemeanors and felonies
Continued Detention Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Branch 99-2, Room 102
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Phone: 773-674-5882
Court call begins at 9:00 a.m.
Misdemeanors and felonies
Instanter Detention Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Branch 99-4, Room 102
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Phone: 773-674-5882
Court call begins at 12:30 p.m.
Weekend/holiday felony and misdemeanor arrests, Chicago and Cook County Suburbs
Chicago misdemeanors and felonies, except domestic violence misdemeanors
First Appearance and Detention Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Room 100
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Phone: 773-674-5882
Court call begins at 12:30 p.m.
Cook County suburbs misdemeanors and felonies except domestic violence misdemeanors
First Appearance and Detention Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Room 102
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Phone: 773-674-5882
Court call begins at 12:30 p.m.
Countywide domestic violence misdemeanors
First Appearance Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Room 201
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Court call begins at 12:30 p.m.
Countywide domestic violence misdemeanors
Detention Hearings
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
Room 204
2600 S. California St., Chicago
Court call begins at 12:30 p.m.
Weekday misdemeanor arrests, Chicago, people who are NOT in custody
Chicago Police Districts 14, 15, 16, 17 and 25 and Gang Section Area North (Chicago Police Districts 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25)
Branch 23
5555 W. Grand Ave., Chicago
Phone: (773) 804-6154
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Chicago Police Districts 1, 18, 19, 20 and 24, Marine Unit, Public Transportation Section, Detective Division Area North (Chicago Police Districts 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25)
Branch 29
2452 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Phone: (773) 404-3316
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Chicago Police Districts 2, 7, 8 and 9, University of Chicago Police, Gang Section and Detective Division Area Central (Chicago Police Districts 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18)
Branch 34
155 W. 51st St., Chicago
Phone: (773) 373-8878
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Chicago Police Districts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 22, Gang Section and Detective Division Area South (Chicago Police Districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 22)
Branch 35
727 E. 111th St., Chicago
Phone: (773) 982-3058
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Chicago Police Districts 10, 11, 12 and 13, Bomb and Arson Section, Vice Control Section
Branch 43
3150 W. Flournoy St., Chicago
Phone: (773) 265-8927
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Weekday felony/misdemeanor arrests in Cook County suburbs
Second Municipal District, Skokie
5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie
Phone: (847) 470-7250
First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 105
Court call begins at 1:30 p.m.
Third Municipal District, Rolling Meadows
2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows
Phone: (847) 818-3000
Felony and non-Domestic Violence Misdemeanors First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 108
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 207
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Fourth Municipal District, Maywood
1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood
Phone: (708) 865-6040
Felony and non-Domestic Violence Misdemeanors First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 113
Court call begins at 10:30 a.m.
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 104
Court call begins at 10:30 a.m.
Fifth Municipal District, Bridgeview
10220 S. 76th Ave., Bridgeview
Phone: (708) 974-6500
Felony and non-Domestic Violence Misdemeanors First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 103
Court call begins at 1:30 p.m.
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 204
Court call begins at 9 a.m.
Sixth Municipal District, Markham
16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham
Phone: (708) 232-4551
First Appearance and Detention Hearings
Courtroom 102
Court call begins at 9:30 a.m.