Stephenson County Circuit Court cases in Stephenson County, Freeport, IL
Stephenson County Circuit Court in Freeport, Illinois, is a circuit court-the trial court of general jurisdiction for Stephenson County within the state's 15th Judicial Circuit. It handles virtually all state matters arising in the county, including civil cases (law, chancery, small claims, evictions), criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor), family/domestic relations (divorce, custody/parental responsibilities, child support), juvenile (delinquency and abuse/neglect), probate/estate and guardianship, traffic and DUI, municipal and county ordinance violations, mental health proceedings, and orders of protection. The court conducts arraignments, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, trials, and other proceedings, and maintains the official case records for these matters.
Stephenson County Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Stephenson |
| Street Address: | 15 North Galena Avenue |
| City: | Freeport |
| Zip Code: | 61032 |
| Phone: | 815-235-8266 |
| Fax: | 815-233-1576 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.15thjudicialcircuit.com/ |
| Parking: | Parking lot adjacent to courthouse |
| Public Transportation: | Pretzel City Transit 815-235-7433 |
| Forms & Filing: | Forms |
| Divisions / Services: | Probation |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | Court Holidays |
| Jury Service: | Jury Duty |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | votte@co.stephenson.il.us |
| ADA: | Access to the courts for people with special needs |
| About / Additional Info: | Fifteenth Judicial Circuit |
Services and Case Types Handled in Stephenson County Circuit Court
Stephenson County Circuit Court provides trial-level judicial services for the county. It hears:
- Criminal: felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, traffic.
- Civil: contracts, torts, small claims, landlord‑tenant/evictions, chancery, foreclosure.
- Family and juvenile: divorce/dissolution, parental responsibilities, child support, paternity, adoption, juvenile delinquency, abuse/neglect.
- Probate and related: estates, guardianship, mental health commitments.
- Local ordinance and conservation violations.
Public-facing services include:
- Case filings and e-filing intake, docketing, and record maintenance (via the Circuit Clerk).
- Scheduling and conducting hearings, trials, sentencings, and other court proceedings; remote appearance options where authorized.
- Protective orders: orders of protection, stalking/no-contact, and civil no‑contact orders.
- Jury services: summons, qualification, reporting, and juror management.
- Payment processing for fines, fees, and restitution; certified copies and record searches; forms, interpreters, and ADA accommodations.