Court Services FAQs

Adult Court Services

1. I live in a different county; can my case be transferred?
   Yes, depending on the case type, some cases can be transferred.
   
2. I have court today; may I stop by and drop off timesheets/receipts before court?
   You may drop timesheets and receipts, however, it is not guarantee that you hours will be entered on time. Coordinator must contact worksite supervisor for verification of hours or donations. Please be advised due to the pandemic business hours for worksite varies.
   
3. When do I need to submit my timesheets or/and donations receipts?
   Timesheets and/or donations recipes need to preferably be submitted a week before your next court date, to ensure documentation is verified and submitted on time.
   
4. How do I pay my fines/court costs/restitution?
   All payments, of cash/personal check/money order, need to have the case number included and need to be made to the DeKalb Court Circuit Clerk’s Officer, 133 E. State St. Sycamore, IL 60178 either in person at the office, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. or by mail.
   You can also make payments online at https://dekalbcounty.org/departments/circuit-clerk/payments-online/
   
5. What do I need to bring to obtain a travel permit?
   Probation clients need to provide the following information in order to obtain a travel permit from his/her officer:

   • Dates you will be leaving and returning.
   • Method of travel – if driving we will need the make, model, and license # of the vehicle you will be driving. If flying we will need your flight information.
   • Name of the individuals who will be accompanying you
   • Name and address of where you will be staying
6. I was ordered to complete a PSI. What is it and what do I need to do?
   A Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) is ordered by the courts when there has been a plea or verdict of guilty. You will need to report to the probation department with your court order. An appointment will be scheduled for you. At your appointment you need to bring with you the following:

   • Address verification (example: a piece of mail, or envelope that has been addressed to you)
   • Employment verification (example: check stub, a letter from employer)
   • Education verification (example: diploma, transcripts, certificates)
   • Counseling/Alcohol & Drug Treatment verification (example: available reports or names of agencies/counselors
   • Military verification (example: discharge papers)
7. I was moved to an Open Reporting caseload. What does that mean?
   If you have been assessed as low-risk your probation officer will discuss moving you to an open reporting caseload. Defendant’s on open reporting will report in person once every three months.
   

If you have any further questions, please contact the office at 815-895-7193 or complete this form.

Juvenile Court Services

1. How can I be notified of my court date and if there are any changes?
   You can sign up for text and/or email alerts here: https://www.clericusmagnus.com/enotify_dekalb.htm
   Alternatively, you can contact the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk at: 815-895-7138
   
2. How do I pay my court fines and fees?
   All payments, of cash/personal check/money order, need to have the case number included and need to be made to the DeKalb Court Circuit Clerk’s Officer, 133 E. State St. Sycamore, IL 60178  either in person at the office, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. or by mail.
   You can also make payments online at https://dekalbcounty.org/departments/circuit-clerk/payments-online/
   
3. I was court ordered to complete a pre-adjudication investigation, what is it and how do I complete it?
   A pre-adjudication investigation consists of a probation officer interviewing a juvenile offender and their parent/guardian to obtain information on their family, education, health, etc., to better help the Court understand who the juvenile is. After being ordered to complete a pre-adjudication investigation in court, please go to the Court Services Office to schedule an appointment with an officer to complete it.
   
4. Who is allowed to obtain information on a juvenile offender?
   Only the juvenile and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are allowed to obtain information on the juvenile and their case, unless a release of information has been signed by the juvenile and their parent(s)/guardian(s) permitting others to receive information on the juvenile.
   
5. What does “Expungement” mean, and how do I go about expunging my juvenile record(s)?
   Expungement means to “erase” or physically destroy records and to obliterate (remove) your name from any official index or public record, making the record off limits to most entities.Cases that were adjudicated may be expunged.  For those cases, the Circuit Clerk sends an expungement packet to the residence of the adjudicated minor.  This packet spells out how to go about getting into Court to ask for an expungement, and walks the minor and their family through what is and is not expungable.Cases of Court Supervision are automatically expunged as the case is technically dismissed with successful completion of the sentence.
   
6. How young do you have to be for a record to be juvenile?
   Before 2010, prosecutions as an adult started at 17 years of age. However, after 2010, prosecutions as an adult begin at 18 years of age. Depending on how old you were and the year you were arrested, you may have either an adult or a juvenile record.
   

If you have any further questions, please contact the office at 815-895-7199 or complete this form.

Community Restitution Services

1. Do I need to speak with the coordinator before starting hours for my community service?
   Yes, you must schedule a phone appointment with the coordinator to discuss your community service options prior to starting at a worksite or making a donation. The Coordinator has the right to deny any hours/donations.
   
2. May I complete hours via donations only, worksite only, or both?
   You can complete hours via donations or worksite only. You can also complete hours via both.
   
3. What are CRS Fees and where do I pay them?
   CRS Fees are listed on your Financial Sentencing Order. If the box is checked under, Section 4: Other, you have 6 months to complete your community service hours. After the 6th month, you will be ordered to pay an additional $25 per month until the required hours are completed. You can make payments to thethe DeKalb Court Circuit Clerk’s Officer, 133 E. State St. Sycamore, IL 60178  either in person at the office, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. or by mail.
   You can also make payments online at https://dekalbcounty.org/departments/circuit-clerk/payments-online/
   
4. How would the Judge know I completed my hours?
   Coordinator will submit a completion notice to the Clerk and the State’s Attorney of your community service hours
   

If you have any further questions, please contact the office at 815-895-7193 or complete this form.

Pretrial Services

1. Someone I know was arrested. How do I get updates on them?
   Call the DeKalb County Jail non-emergency number at: 815-895-2155 or register for updated custody status and criminal case information at: https://vinelink.com
   
2. I was just released from jail and ordered to report to Pretrial Services for an intake appointment. What do I need to do?
   Contact the Pretrial Services office at: 815-899-0751. Intake appointments can be completed over the phone, but are court ordered to be completed immediately after release. If leaving a message for a return appointment, please make sure to leave your full name, return phone number, and case number (if you know it).
   
3. How can I be notified of my court date and if there are any changes?
   You can sign up for text and/or email alerts here: https://www.clericusmagnus.com/enotify_dekalb.htm
   Alternatively, you can contact the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk at: Civil – 815-895-7131 Traffic and Criminal – 815-895-7138
   
4. How do I virtually attend a ZOOM court date?
   This link has each court room listed with Zoom Meeting IDs and passwords. Check your court order or ask your attorney if you are not sure which court room you are needing to attend before signing in. http://circuitclerk.org/virtual-court-tips.html#livestream
   
5. How do I watch bond call?
   Bond call is currently being done virtually. Please visit: http://circuitclerk.org/virtual-court-tips.html#livestream, and click on the livestream link to attend. Bond call is held at 1pm (M-F) and at 11am (Saturday).
   

If you have any further questions, please contact the office at 815-899-0751 or complete this form.