Circuit Court Branch 43 & 44 (Harrison & Kedzie) – Chicago, IL

Circuit Court Branch 43 and 44 – Harrison and Kedzie

Located within the Chicago Police Department’s Area 4 Headquarters, this facility functions as a critical branch of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s First Municipal District. It is specifically designated to handle initial criminal proceedings and misdemeanor cases for offenses occurring in the surrounding police districts. The integration of the court within the police station facilitates the swift processing of detainees and preliminary hearings.

Judicial Functions

• Branch 43 (Misdemeanor Court): Presides over misdemeanor cases, ordinance violations, and traffic matters. This court handles arraignments, bond hearings, and bench trials for less serious criminal offenses.
• Branch 44 (Felony Preliminary Hearings): Conducts preliminary hearings for felony charges to determine probable cause. Cases finding probable cause are typically transferred to the Criminal Court at 26th and California for trial.

Support Services

The facility houses representatives from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office to assist with legal proceedings. The Adult Probation Department and Social Service Department also maintain a presence to coordinate supervision and intervention programs for defendants.

Security and Access

As a combined police and court facility, security is rigorous. Visitors are subject to search, and strict prohibitions are enforced regarding weapons and recording devices. The environment is high-security due to the presence of police operations and holding cells within the same building structure.