Cook County

From the grandeur of Chicago to the beauty and community throughout its suburbs, Cook County is one of the greatest places to live in Illinois as well as the Midwest. Okay, perhaps we’re a bit biased, but with over 40 years serving primarily in Cook County, the Law Office of Fred Mark Dry has developed a deep appreciation of the community and the people who have made it such a great place to live. As a defense attorney, Fred Dry strives to ensure that all Cook County citizens are protected by their rights, especially that of innocent until proven guilty. Our law firm focuses on all aspects of criminal defense, including DUI, violent crimes, sex crimes, theft charges, drug crimes, gun crimes and more.

If you have been arrested, are under investigation, or you need the representation of a defense attorney wholly devoted to your rights, who will fight relentlessly and aggressively for you, feel free to stop by our Northfield, IL offices at 1 Northfield Plaza, Suite 300, or give us a call at 847-441-1801, 24 hours a day, for a consultation. The following guide will be helpful for anyone arrested in Cook County or awaiting trial.

If you have been arrested or accused of a criminal offense anywhere in Cook County, whether misdemeanor or felony, you will most likely begin your case in any of the local jails located throughout Cook County. In most cases, the accused is taken to the jail in the municipality where he/she was arrested. Immediate custody isn’t always the case, however, as in some cases, the accused is let free while prosecutors review the case details and either issue formal charges or drop the charges.

Regardless of the crime, the journey through the criminal justice system begins in a Municipal Court. Cook County is divided into six Municipal Departments based on geographical location, including:

• First Municipal District: City of Chicago
• Second Municipal District: Northern suburban Cook County
• Third Municipal District: Northwestern suburban Cook County
• Fourth Municipal District: Western suburban Cook County
• Fifth Municipal District: Southwestern suburban Cook County
• Sixth Municipal District: Southern Cook County

In general, the Municipal Courts hear cases involving misdemeanor criminal proceedings and felony preliminary hearings. Keep in mind that only the First Municipal District has a Domestic Violence Division that hears misdemeanor and felonies associated with domestic violence. To find directions to your local court, click on the link for the city or town below. If you have questions, call your attorney or the city clerk for clarification.

• 2nd Municipal District – Skokie:Directions
• 3rd Municipal District – Rolling Meadows: Directions
• 4th Municipal District – Maywood: Directions
• 6th Municipal District – Markham: Directions
• Branch 23 & 50 – Chicago: Directions
• Branch 29 & 42 – Chicago: Directions
• Branch 34 & 48 – Chicago: Directions
• Branch 35 & 38 – Chicago: Directions
• Branch 43 & 44 – Chicago: Directions

In the First Municipal District in Chicago, the courthouses do not hear domestic violence cases. Instead, domestic violence cases are almost exclusively held at the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse. This courthouse hears the following:

• Civil orders of protection
• Criminal actions involving relationships defined by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act including:
• All matters through the preliminary hearing or indictment in which the most serious offense charged is a Class 1, 2, or 3 felony
• Class 4 felonies
• Misdemeanors
• Aggravated stalking
• Civil no contact orders
• Stalking no contact orders

The Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse is located at:

555 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607
312 325-9000

You can find directions to the courthouse by clicking on the map below and typing in your home or work address.

If accused of armed robbery, assault, burglary, criminal sexual assault, or murder, or other felony cases arriving from the Municipal Courts, your case will be handled in the Criminal Division Courthouses within Cook County. There are three Criminal Division Courthouses, including:

• George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building:Directions
• 5th Municipal Courthouse – Bridgeview: Directions
• 2nd Municipal Courthouse – Skokie: Directions

If you have been accused of a misdemeanor, felony, or a DUI in Cook County, the Law Office of Fred Mark Dry wants to help. Not only have we worked in all of the Municipal and County courts in Cook County, but we can employ a wide network of resources to ensure that your given comprehensive and aggressive representation. We will work diligently for your interests, and we’ll make sure that you fully understand every criminal proceeding and its potential ramifications before you make a decision.

We offer free consultations, and are available by phone 24 hours a day. Call us now at 847-441-1801 for Cook County’s leading criminal defense and DUI attorney.