Cook County Criminal Courthouse Defense (26th & California)

If you or a family member has been charged with a felony in Chicago, your case will almost certainly be heard at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse—known throughout Chicago's legal community as 26th & California (2600–2650 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608). Navigating the Criminal Division and Pretrial Division at 26th & California requires an attorney who knows the judges, courtroom procedures, and local prosecutorial practices inside and out.

The Thiel Law Group, P.C. appears regularly at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse as well as Cook County's branch courts and suburban municipal districts.

What Happens at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse (2650 S. California Ave.)

• Initial Appearance & SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Hearings: Following a felony arrest in Chicago, initial appearances and detention hearings take place in the Pretrial Division. Having private defense counsel present immediately allows us to challenge the State's Petition to Detain and argue for pretrial release conditions.
• Preliminary Hearings & Grand Jury Indictments: Felony cases must be established by probable cause—either through a preliminary hearing in a branch court or via a Cook County Grand Jury indictment—before being assigned to a felony trial courtroom at 26th & California.
• Felony Trial Courtrooms (Rooms 101 through 700+): Once indicted, your case is assigned by random computer draw to a Criminal Division trial judge for discovery, Fourth and Fifth Amendment motions to suppress, pretrial conferences, and bench or jury trials.

Practical Information for Defendants & Families Visiting 26th & California

• Location & Parking: The George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse and attached Criminal Court Administration Building are located at 2600–2650 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608. Public parking is available in the county parking structure at the southeast corner of 26th Street and California Boulevard.
• Security & Electronic Devices: Arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your 9:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. court call to clear Cook County Sheriff security screening. Cell phones must be silenced inside courtrooms, and recording or photography inside the courthouse is strictly prohibited.
• Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) Visits & Bond Info: The Cook County Jail complex sits adjacent to the courthouse. If a loved one is in custody, contact our office immediately so we can verify their housing division, upcoming court date, and detention status.

Other Cook County Criminal Courthouses We Serve

In addition to 26th & California, The Thiel Law Group represents clients across Cook County's branch and suburban district courthouses:

• Chicago Branch Courts: Branch 23/29 (5555 W. Grand Ave.), Branch 35/38 (727 E. 111th St.), Branch 43/44 (3150 W. Flournoy St.), and Domestic Violence Court (555 W. Harrison St.).
• Suburban Cook County Districts: District 2 (Skokie — 5600 Old Orchard Rd.), District 3 (Rolling Meadows — 2121 W. Euclid Ave.), District 4 (Maywood — 1500 Maybrook Dr.), District 5 (Bridgeview — 10220 S. 76th Ave.), and District 6 (Markham — 16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy.).

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does felony court start at 26th & California?

Most felony trial courtrooms at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse begin their morning call at 9:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Because security lines at the California Avenue entrance can back up during morning rush hour, you should arrive at least 30 minutes early.

What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial at 26th & California?

In a jury trial, 12 Cook County residents must unanimously agree that the State proved every element beyond a reasonable doubt. In a bench trial, you waive a jury and the presiding Criminal Division judge decides both the facts and the law. Strategic selection between a bench and jury trial depends heavily on the assigned judge and the legal issues in your case.