The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is the federal trial court for 38 counties in southern Illinois, including Madison, St. Clair, Jackson and Williamson counties (28 U.S.C. § 93(c)). Its courthouses are in East St. Louis and Benton. Here is where the court sits, who prosecutes and defends cases there, and its local criminal rules.
We handle federal cases nationwide.
Where does the court sit?
The district has no divisions set by statute. By law, court is held at Alton, Benton, Cairo and East Saint Louis (28 U.S.C. § 93(c)). The court's site lists these courthouses:
East St. Louis
750 Missouri Avenue.
Benton
301 West Main Street.
Criminal cases are assigned at random to a district judge through separate Benton and East St. Louis dockets (SDIL-LR 40.1(b)). The court's site lists no courthouse in Alton or Cairo.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Which appeals court covers it?
Appeals from this court go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). Its decisions are binding on the federal judges in this district, so its precedent governs cases here (uscourts.gov, About the U.S. Courts of Appeals).
Our Seventh Circuit appeals guide covers deadlines and the court’s own rules for criminal appeals.
Who prosecutes and who defends?
Federal prosecutors here work for the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Anyone charged with a federal crime who can’t afford a lawyer can ask the court to appoint one (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). Here, appointed lawyers come from the Federal Public Defender's Office for the Southern District of Illinois, a Federal Public Defender office with offices in East St. Louis and Benton, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where are the local rules and sentencing procedures?
Every federal court follows the national rules, such as the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, plus its own local rules. This court publishes them on its local rules page.
Local Criminal Rule Cr32.1 says presentence reports are filed under seal and objections follow the federal rule: the report goes to the defense at least 35 days before sentencing, and objections are due within 14 days (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(e)(2), (f)). Responses to objections are due within 7 days after the objections are received, unless the court directs otherwise. The probation officer's sentencing recommendation goes only to the court.
“The probation officer's recommendation on sentencing shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Court”
Is Brandon Sample admitted in this court?
Yes. Brandon Sample is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. He has also handled federal cases in courts across the country.
Which federal prisons are in this district?
Bureau of Prisons facilities in this district (bop.gov lists their judicial district as Southern Illinois):
- FCI Greenville
Medium security, with a satellite camp. Greenville, Illinois.
- FCI Marion
Medium security, with a satellite camp. Marion, Illinois.
A prison being in this district doesn’t mean someone sentenced here will go there. The Bureau of Prisons decides where each person serves their sentence (18 U.S.C. § 3621(b)).
What should you know about a federal case in this district?
- The first hearing comes fast. After an arrest, the person goes before a magistrate judge without unnecessary delay for an initial appearance (Fed. R. Crim. P. 5(a)). The judge decides whether they stay in custody while the case goes on (18 U.S.C. § 3142).
- Most felony cases start with an indictment. A grand jury decides in private whether to approve the charges (Fed. R. Crim. P. 6, 7).
- The presentence report matters. A federal probation officer writes a report on the offense and the person’s life before sentencing, and the defense can object to mistakes in it (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(c)–(f)). Check this court’s schedule above.
- The judge decides the sentence. The judge must consider the Sentencing Guidelines and the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the person’s history and background. Family and friends can write letters; there is no limit on the background information a judge may consider (18 U.S.C. § 3661).
- The appeal clock is short. A defendant’s notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
- Prison phones and email are monitored. Don’t discuss the case on them (28 C.F.R. § 540.102).
How a federal criminal case works →
More questions about federal cases →
Questions about the Southern District of Illinois
Where does the Southern District of Illinois hold court?
In East St. Louis and Benton. Federal law lists Alton, Benton, Cairo and East Saint Louis as places of holding court for the district's 38 counties (28 U.S.C. § 93(c)). The court's site lists courthouses at 750 Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis and 301 West Main Street in Benton, and criminal cases are assigned through separate dockets for those two cities (SDIL-LR 40.1(b)).
What must the defense lawyer file about an appeal after a conviction here?
One of three documents, within the time allowed for an appeal. Under SDIL Cr44.1, retained or appointed counsel must file a notice of appeal; a notice signed by the defendant saying the right to appeal was explained and the defendant declines to appeal; or a notice signed by counsel saying the right was explained, the defendant did not ask for an appeal and declined to sign. A defendant's notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after judgment (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
Does the defense see the probation officer's sentencing recommendation?
No. SDIL Cr32.1(b)(2) says the probation officer's sentencing recommendation is not disclosed to anyone other than the court, and it is filed separately from the presentence report as a sealed, court-only filing after the case is decided.
Who represents people here who can't afford a lawyer?
The court can appoint a lawyer (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). In this district, appointed lawyers come from the Federal Public Defender's Office, which has offices in East St. Louis and Benton, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where do appeals from this court go?
To the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)).
Sources
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- S.D. Ill. East St. Louis courthouse
- S.D. Ill. Benton courthouse
- 28 U.S.C. § 93
- S.D. Ill. Local Rules (PDF, effective Sept. 22, 2025)
- S.D. Ill. Local Rules, Appendix A: Criminal Rules (PDF, effective Sept. 22, 2025)
- Fed. R. Crim. P. 32
- 28 U.S.C. § 41 (circuits)
- uscourts.gov: About the U.S. Courts of Appeals
- USAO Southern District of Illinois
- Federal Public Defender, S.D. Ill.: contact
- FCI Greenville (bop.gov)
- FCI Marion (bop.gov)
- BOP locations list