The nature of the criminal charges against you, from a traffic violation to a felony, will determine where in Cook County your case will be heard. It could be one of several criminal courts in the county. Wherever your case is heard, you should choose an attorney who shows up regularly and has developed relationships with prosecutors and judges.
26th and California is where major felonies are tried in Chicago, including murder, armed robbery, weapons charges, and some assault and battery cases. Preliminary hearings may be held elsewhere in Cook County, but the trial will likely be held in this courthouse.
Daley Center is where most civil matters in Cook County are heard, as well as many minor traffic violations in Chicago, such as speeding. Traffic charges will usually only result in a ticket if you are convicted, but sometimes you can lose your driving privileges or incur higher insurance rates. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consult not just any attorney, but specifically a Chicago traffic defense attorney.
Skokie Courthouse (located at 5600 Old Orchard Road in Skokie) is also known as the District 2 courthouse and hears criminal and civil cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
The Rolling Meadows Courthouse (located at 2121 Euclid Avenue in Rolling Meadows) is also known as the District 3 court and hears criminal and civil cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
The Maywood Courthouse (located at 1500 Maybrook Avenue in Maywood) is also known as the District 4 Courthouse and hears criminal and civil cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
Bridgeview Courthouse (located at 10220 South 76th Avenue in Bridgeview) is also known as the District 5 courthouse and hears criminal and civil cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
The Markham Courthouse (located at 16501 South Kedzie Parkway in Markham) is also known as the District 6 court and hears criminal and civil cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
555 W. Harrison hears Chicago domestic violence cases and misdemeanor jury trials. If he is convicted of either, he could be sent to state prison.
Belmont & Western (located at 2452 West Belmont Avenue), 3150 W. Flournoy, 5555 W. Grand Avenue, 155 W. 51st Street, and 727 E. 111th Street are felony preliminary hearing courts in Chicago. If the felony charges case goes to a grand jury, it is transferred to 26th and California or one of the suburban district courts. These locations are also where non-jury trials are heard for Chicago misdemeanor charges such as solicitation of a prostitute, disorderly persons, assault, battery, and other crimes.
It bears repeating that for practical but primarily strategic reasons, it is strongly recommended that you choose a lawyer who appears regularly in the court where your case will be heard and who is therefore familiar with the prosecutors and judges there.