If you were arrested in the second district of Cook County, your case will be heard at the Skokie Courthouse, located at 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL. It is the Cook County Second Municipal District, and it handles misdemeanor, felony and traffic matters for the towns listed further down this page.
Cook County splits everything outside Chicago into six suburban court districts. Skokie is the courthouse for the second district, which stretches from the North Shore down through Park Ridge and Des Plaines near O’Hare.
Everyone entering goes through a security line, so leave more time than you think you need. Missing your call because you were still downstairs is treated the same as not showing up.
Bring a form of photo ID and expect the line to move slowly during the morning misdemeanor and traffic calls. If your case involves more than one charge, bring your citation or bond paperwork so the courtroom clerk can pull the right file quickly.
Nicholas W. Ktenas spent time as a Cook County prosecutor before moving to the defense side, and he now focuses on DUI and criminal defense. Having stood on the other side of the courtroom in Cook County gives him a working sense of how a suburban call is run and what a prosecutor looks at when a case like yours comes up.
Why felony cases pass through Skokie first
This district hears misdemeanor cases, traffic matters and the early stages of felony cases. If you are charged with a felony, the preliminary hearing happens here, and the case is then transferred to the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 2650 S California Ave in Chicago for the remainder.
A preliminary hearing is where a judge decides whether the state has enough evidence to move a case forward, not whether you are guilty. That transfer matters more than most people expect. What happens at the preliminary hearing in Skokie shapes what the felony court sees first, including which charges survive and how the case gets framed once it reaches Chicago.
Skokie’s courtroom assignments and call times
Skokie assigns felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases to specific courtrooms, and each call has its own start time.
| Call | Courtroom | Start time |
|---|---|---|
| Felony preliminary hearing | Courtroom 105 | 9:30 a.m. |
| Felony bond hearing | Courtroom 105 | 9:30 a.m. |
| Misdemeanor | Courtroom 101, 102, 103, or 104 | 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 1:30 p.m. |
| Traffic | Courtroom 101, 102, 103, or 104 | 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. |
Courtroom assignments change, so treat the room number on your ticket or bond paperwork as the one that controls, not this list.
Getting a straight answer before you walk in
Waiting until your court date to learn what you are facing leaves you guessing in a hallway. A short call ahead of time can tell you what your charge carries, what the first appearance actually involves, and what questions to expect. Contact us for a free, confidential case review before your Skokie court date.
Which north and northwest suburbs file into Skokie
If you were arrested in any of these towns, or by their police department, your case is heard here.
- Deerfield
- Des Plaines
- Evanston
- Glencoe
- Glenview
- Golf
- Kenilworth
- Lincolnwood
- Morton Grove
- Niles
- Northbrook
- Northfield
- Oakton
- Park Ridge
- Skokie
- Wilmette
- Winnetka
The department that arrested you, not the town where you live, decides where a case is filed. Someone arrested in Skokie while visiting from another county still answers to this courthouse.
How we help clients called into Skokie
- DUI defense if you were arrested for driving under the influence, whether this is a first DUI or a case involving prior offenses
- Criminal defense for misdemeanor and felony charges, including cases moving toward felony review
- Traffic ticket defense for citations and licence issues that carry consequences beyond a fine
For how the districts fit together, see Cook County court districts.
Common questions about the Skokie call
A missed court date usually means the judge issues a warrant and, if you posted bond, that bond can be forfeited. If something comes up and you cannot make it, contact an attorney right away instead of waiting to see what happens next.
No. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are handled here from the first appearance through the end of the case. Only felony matters move on to the Leighton Courthouse in Chicago, and only after the preliminary stage.
The first appearance is where bond conditions and early deadlines get set, and those decisions can shape the rest of the case. Having someone speak for you starting on that first date gives you a voice in the room instead of catching up later.
It depends on what you are charged with. Felony preliminary and bond hearings are called at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 105, misdemeanor cases are called at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., and traffic cases add a 2:30 p.m. slot. The exact time printed on your own ticket or bond paperwork is the one that controls, since courtroom assignments change.
Because of where you were arrested. Venue is set by the town or police department that made the arrest, not by your home address. Someone visiting from another county still answers to the Skokie courthouse if the arrest happened in one of the towns this district covers.
Bring a form of photo ID, and if your case involves more than one charge, bring your citation or bond paperwork so the clerk can pull the right file quickly. Expect the security line to move slowly during the morning misdemeanor and traffic calls, so arrive with enough time to get through it before your call.
Ready to talk about your Skokie court date
You will speak to an attorney, not an intake screener. Tell us what you were charged with and what your court date is, and you will get a straight read on what the charge carries and what is realistically arguable.
If we are not the right firm for your case, we will say so. Reach out today for a free, confidential review of your case before you step into the Skokie courtroom.
Last reviewed 08/21/2026
