Kankakee County Criminal Defense Lawyer Answers Frequently Asked Questions
Kankakee County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Do you need a Kankakee County Criminal Defense Lawyer to help you with an upcoming case? You may have questions like “when does the courthouse open,” and “how many judges are there.” Do not worry. Attorney Clyde Guilamo is a regular at the Kankakee County Courthouse and he has put together this guide to answer many of the frequently asked questions about Kankakee County. Clyde is a former prosecutor with over 10 years of criminal law experience, and he is ready to protect your freedom. Whether it is a traffic case, a criminal sexual assault, or a first-degree murder charge, give us a call or text at the Law Office of Clyde Guilamo, LLC.
Kankakee County Courthouse
How do I get to the Kankakee County Courthouse?
The Kankakee County Courthouse is located in the city of Kankakee. If you are coming from Chicago, the route is pretty simple. Take the Dan Ryan to I-57. Get off of I-57 at the Court Street exit going west. You’ll see the courthouse in about 5 minutes on the south side of Court Street. The correct address is 450 E Court St, Kankakee, IL 60901. If you are approaching Kankakee from the western suburbs, you can take Route 17 east to the courthouse. You can connect to Route 17 by taking State Route 113, or Route 45/52.
At what time does the courthouse open?
The Kankakee County Courthouse opens to the public at 8:30 a.m.
At what time does the Kankakee County Courthouse close?
The courthouse officially closes to the public at 4:30 p.m. Any persons who are still present in the courthouse will be escorted out of the building by the Kankakee County Sheriff. If you have a pending trial or motion, however, the courthouse will remain open until the completion of the motion or trial.
Does the Kankakee County Courthouse have official translators?
Yes. Kankakee County offers court interpreters free of charge for people who require their assistance. Interpreters are offered for defendants, victims, and witnesses. You won’t be able to just walk to their office, as it is in an area of the courthouse that is not open to the public. So, if you need assistance, then you should mention that to the clerk as soon as possible!
Does the Kankakee County Courthouse have a childcare facility?
No. There is no childcare facility on-site. You should not bring your kids to court if you have a lengthy motion or trial.
Are there conference rooms in the Kankakee County Courthouse?
Not really! Although the historic charm of the courthouse is something to see, for lawyers and clients who are handling business at the courthouse, there are no private rooms available for conferences. Many lawyers are forced to speak in the publicly accessible hallways of the courthouse.
How many judges are in Kankakee County?
Kankakee County has a total of 9 judges; 6 are circuit judges (elected) and 3 are associate judges (appointed).
Who are the Criminal Judges in Kankakee County?
Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott and Judge William Dickenson serve as the felony criminal judges in Kankakee County. If the State charges you with a serious offense, there is a good chance that you will appear before one of those two judges. Judge Elliott is in courtroom 309, and Judge Dickenson is in courtroom 300. These courtrooms are on the third floor.
Judge Thomas Cunnington serves as both the chief judge of the 23rd Judicial Circuit and the major traffic judge in Kankakee County. His courtroom is courtroom 200 which is on the second floor.
Judge Brenda Claudio took the bench in August of 2021. Judge Claudio handles the traffic and misdemeanor in Kankakee County. You should know that Judge Claudio was born in Puerto Rico and speaks Spanish. Her courtroom is 109.
For minors charged with crimes, Judge Imani Drew currently serves as the juvenile delinquency judge. Her courtroom is courtroom 206, which is on the second floor to right when you get off the elevator or stairs.
Which Courtroom Will Hear My Case?
If the State charges you with a serious crime, then your case will probably be in courtroom 300 or 309. Major traffic offenses are in 200 and minor traffic cases misdemeanors are in courtroom 109. But if your case is a juvenile proceeding, then you will be in 116. Please note: Cases can be reassigned to different judges. You should check in with the clerk or bailiff to make sure that you are in the right courtroom.
How is Kankakee County Different from Other Counties?
Generally, Kankakee County does not use Zoom in criminal cases. As a result, many Chicago criminal defense lawyers avoid taking cases from Kankakee County because of the long commute and the inability to appear remotely.
Second, if we were to rank State’s Attorneys in Illinois, then Kankakee County might have the best Top Prosecutor. Jim Rowe is the perfect blend of tough and fair, and he does more for his community than most other elected officials. His social media presence, his Reel Justice program, his jump program, and his expungement fairs are just a few examples of why Kankakee County is so lucky to have him.
Third, Kankakee County does offer treatment courts including Drug Court, Domestic Violence Court, and Veteran’s Court. Many people are able to bounce back from a criminal case because of the programs that Kankakee offers.
Can I appear to my court date by Zoom?
Unfortunately, no; Kankakee County does not allow for court appearances by Zoom. If you are unable to attend court on a specific day, then you should inform your lawyer to motion the case up early and get a different court date.
Hire Kankakee County Criminal Defense Lawyer Clyde Guilamo
Lastly, I hope this guide of free legal education was helpful. #notlegaladvice. If you found this article helpful, consider giving us a review on Google! If you have specific questions about your case, then call me today for a free consultation:
