Where a Plainfield Criminal Case Is Actually Heard
If you were arrested in Plainfield, the first thing worth understanding is where your case is going. Most of Plainfield sits in Will County, which means the overwhelming majority of Plainfield criminal cases are filed and heard at the Will County Courthouse at 100 W. Jefferson Street in downtown Joliet, in the 12th Judicial Circuit. A portion of Plainfield extends west into Kendall County, where cases go to the courthouse in Yorkville — your citation or bond paperwork will tell you which county charged you. Most clients I see from Plainfield are in the Will County system, and that is the system I know best.
That matters more than it sounds. I am a former Will County prosecutor and a former Illinois Assistant Attorney General. For years, my job was to stand on the other side of these cases — to charge them, evaluate them, and decide what the State would offer. I know how the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office builds a file, where its cases tend to be weak, and how the judges who hear them in Joliet actually run their courtrooms. My office is on E. Clinton Street in downtown Joliet, a short walk from the courthouse where your case will be called. When you hire a lawyer who learned this system from the inside, you are not paying for someone to figure it out on your case.
The Charges Plainfield Residents Face Most Often
Plainfield is a fast-growing community of commuters and professionals, and the cases I handle for its residents reflect that. A single arrest can put a career, a professional license, or a clean record at risk — which is exactly why how the case is handled from day one matters.
- Drug offenses — possession of a controlled substance under 720 ILCS 570/402, cannabis offenses such as unlawful transport or possession over the legal limit, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Penalties range from supervision-eligible misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on the substance and amount. (See Drug Crimes)
- Domestic battery — 720 ILCS 5/12-3.2. These cases frequently rest on a single account with little corroborating evidence, a conviction is non-expungeable, and an arrest can trigger an Order of Protection. (See Domestic Battery)
- Retail theft — 720 ILCS 5/16-25. Even a first offense can follow you onto employment and background checks. (See Retail Theft)
- Weapons charges — including Unlawful Use of a Weapon under 720 ILCS 5/24-1 and FOID/concealed-carry allegations. (See Weapons Charges)
- Assault, battery, disorderly conduct, and probation or bond violations.
If your arrest involved drinking and driving, that is handled differently and on its own track — see my Plainfield DUI page for how DUI cases and the license deadline work.
Why a Former Prosecutor Changes Your Defense in Will County
There is a practical difference between a lawyer who appears in Will County and a lawyer who used to prosecute in it. In Will County, criminal cases are handled by the State’s Attorney’s Office — not by village prosecutors the way some neighboring DuPage municipalities operate. That means the same office, the same patterns, and the same people I worked alongside and against. I use that to your advantage: spotting the weaknesses in a charging decision early, knowing which cases the State is realistically willing to reduce or dismiss, and building a defense that resolves favorably before trial wherever possible — and is trial-ready when it is not.
Plainfield’s growth has also meant heavier enforcement. I-55, Route 59, and Route 30 see consistent traffic and patrol activity, and Illinois State Police run regular saturation patrols on the interstate. A surprising number of arrests begin as ordinary traffic stops. Whether the stop and any search that followed were lawful is often the first place a case can be won.
What to Do After a Plainfield Arrest
Do not assume a charge is hopeless, and do not assume it will quietly go away. The prosecution starts building its case immediately; your defense should too. Avoid discussing the case with anyone but your attorney, preserve anything that might help (texts, photos, witness names), and speak with a lawyer before any court date. Many first-time, non-violent matters resolve in ways that protect your record when they are handled correctly from the start — and that window is widest at the beginning.
Talk to a Plainfield Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba defends people charged with crimes throughout Will County, including Plainfield. As a former Will County prosecutor and former Illinois Assistant Attorney General with more than 20 years of experience, I bring the perspective of the other side to your defense. My downtown Joliet office is steps from the courthouse where your case will be heard, and consultations are free.
Call 815-740-4025 for a free consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available.