The Criminal Department is responsible for the administration and maintenance of records of felony preliminary hearings, misdemeanor criminal and quasi-criminal cases that occur in the City of Chicago - First Municipal District. The Criminal Department operates 365 days a year and oversees Branch Courts and Central Bond Courts.
The Criminal Department Branch Courts handle Misdemeanor Criminal cases, Preliminary Hearing Felony cases, Domestic Violence cases, and Cook County and non-Cook County warrants. Central Bond Courts handle Felony and Misdemeanor Bond hearings.
Case files may contain the arrest report, complaints, warrants, mittimus, bond slip, appearances, court orders, affidavits, motions, orders, petitions, and notices. In addition, case files related to domestic violence could generally consist of petitions, police reports, complaints, responsive pleadings, judicial orders, and other evidentiary documents.