First Appearance Court Information (Formerly Bond Court)

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.