Dekalb County Jail – Sycamore, IL

Dekalb County Jail is in De Kalb County, Illinois and is the primary jail for that region. Looking for someone locked up at Dekalb County Jail? This site gives you info about everything you might want to know about Dekalb County Jail,such as: How to do a jail inmate search. Find mugshots and inmate photos. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures and booking. Court information. And everything else.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary idea, not only for whoever is incarcerated, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. This guide is meant to offer info you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail easier. If you have a specific question, just ask them, and any comments or feedback that would be beneficial to other people in the same situation would be welcome.

Do you have a friend or family member that is in jail and don’t know how to find out where they are?

Do you know a family member or friend who’s been arrested and you don’t know how to find out where they are?

To find out who is in jail at Dekalb County Jail you have to navigate to their link and perform an inmate search.

The Dekalb County Jail Inmate Lookup has information on persons who are in jail, including status, how much their bail is, and times you can visit. Also, you can get information for anybody arrested and processed or released within the last 24 hours. Prisoners are listed alphabetically by their last name. You can find their inmate information faster if you’ve got their name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If the inmate you are looking for is at another jail you can look here, too: Other County Jails in Illinois

A mugshot, also known as a booking photo, is a photograph taken by the police when you get processed at jail intake. They will take one face photo and one profile photo. Your full name and booking number will appear on the photos, and they are stored.

Mugshots of inmates can be found online, or you can see them in person at the Dekalb County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you will have to input the legal name, and a booking date, if you know it.

Are you trying to figure out what to do in order to have your mugshot taken down from the Dekalb County Jail website? This will be difficult, because the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you need to file a Petition to Expunge in court. What this means is that your arrest record would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about removing your mugshot, the various mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Once you are incarcerated, your primary thought is about getting out. After you’ve gone through booking, a bail amount is decided either by bail schedule or magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this may mean that you will either be free to go until your court date, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you do bail out of jail you will have to agree to show up for court, and until that date you are not allowed to leave the county.

Usually, an inmate will earn an early release in exchange for good behavior when they respect the rules and conduct themselves properly while they are in jail.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be allowed to do work release. You will have to stay jail each day when you’re finished with work, or you might get to sleep in a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Your bail is money that you have to pay to the courts to get out of jail until your trial. The amount you have to pay all depends on the seriousness of your charges. You will have to pay 10 percent of the total that was set before you can be released. If you miss your scheduled court date, the person that bailed you out of jail will lose that money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail need to call the Dekalb County Jail. If know the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know how much their bail is. Also, you can find out how much their bail is on the Dekalb County Jail site.

Needing to bail someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but fortunately, its really easy. First of all, you need to find out if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only”. If it is, you won’t be able to use the services of a bail bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – the jail won’t take a personal check. When you’ve paid bail, the prisoner will be released to your care. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you’ll get the bail money back.

If bail is set too high, or you can’t afford it yourself, you should use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen usually charge a fee of 10-15% of total bail, and sometimes have a minimum of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and is typically cash only. If the bail has been set really high, the bail bondsman might request to use assets as collateral.

To contact a bail bondsman click here: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used the services of bondsman for yourself, a family member or friend? If you have, leave a comment below and tell your story, and let us know how things turned out.

Click here to share your story

• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Released For Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• Released On House Arrest
• Get Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The jail intake procedure is made up of each of these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• You must answer some questions, such as what your legal name is, address, date of birth and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your mental and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• Any property you have will be taken from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• You will then be allowed to use the telephone to call family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, they will let you wear your own clothes, if not you will be issued a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, please tell our readers about your experience. How long did it take? How were you treated? Do you know any secrets that will help other people that get arrested make it through jail intake?

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Once bail has been posted, you will get released from jail. Getting discharged from jail can take from 10 minutes to quite a few hours. In other words the faster you post bail, the faster you will get released. It also might depend on whether you have a cash bond or if a magistrate must decide on the amount of bail to be set. For a minor offense, you will get booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you have served your sentence and know the date of your release, expect to be discharged at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

If you have a, or if you must begin your sentence in jail, you should follow the law and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, report to the jail intake center, and tell an officer that believe that there could be a warrant out for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if they verify that you have one, you will be taken into jail custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you aren’t late. Make sure that you only bring allowed items when you go, like your driver’s license or even photo ID, prescription medication, and a official sentencing order.

Inmates must give each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail. This information will go in a log of visitors as an Authorized visit. All visitors is required to provide proof of identification. Anyone arriving late or that is not an approved visitor will not be allowed to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures can change, so we suggest that you review the official jail site before go to the jail to visit an inmate.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Calls made in jail are typically more expensive than phone calls made at home. There are certain restrictions about when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but you should keep in mind that every inmate wants to use the phone too, so they can call their family. If you break the jail rules, phone calls might get reduced or eliminated altogether.

Phone Number: 815-895-4177

All mall sent to inmates is required to be mailed using the actual US Postal Service. You must not use any other type of delivery. Clearly print the prisoner’s name, inmate ID number, and the jail address on the envelope. Do not mail anything in a box, envelope with padding or insulation, bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. Any mail sent to inmates gets opened and inspected by the officers at the jail, and the mail will be sent back if deemed inappropriate.

If you would like to send a letter to an inmate at Dekalb County Jail, use this address:

Dekalb County Jail
150 N. Main Street
Sycamore, IL 60178

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Dekalb County Jail
150 N. Main Street
Sycamore, IL 60178

The inmate mail policy at Dekalb County Jail can change, so you should review the official Dekalb County Jail site before you send a letter to an inmate there.

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When you get arrested, you have particular rights, the first of which is your right to request an attorney. You don’t get to make many phone calls when you get arrested, so you would be wise to have a friend or relative find a lawyer when you call them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, an attorney can advise you of your rights, help protect your interests and help you navigate the criminal justice system in your county. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your situation, the better off you’ll be.

For more information on the benefits of hiring a lawyer, click: How to Find a Lawyer in De Kalb County

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford an attorney, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. Also, the Public Defender has a number of staff such as independent investigators, experts in forensics as well as social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are full-fledged lawyers who are members of the State Bar and are licensed to practice law in Illinois.

Have you or someone you know used a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? What was your experience?

Court records are public records. Court records include a file containing a docket sheet and each of the motions, documents, and evidence filed in the case. You are able to access the records and documents in your court case via the internet service, or by going to the De Kalb County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Clerk of Court is a member of the court that maintains court records and controls access to them. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath during court cases, and read the verdict when decided by the jury. All court records from your case are kept and available to you at De Kalb County Clerk of Court office.

Court costs and court fees are all costs associated with your case, which include filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have been assigned a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees.

A Magistrate is the type of judge that presides on your case. Magistrate judges do a number of different things, like setting bail amounts, writing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court proceedings and detention hearings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is prepared to include background information and information about the defendant’s life and history, which the magistrate will take into account when determining a sentence. Information and personal details will be collected from the defendant, their family, and in some cases the victim in the crime. Keep in mind that you should request to get your own copy of this report before sentencing, so you get the chance to review it for accuracy and completeness, and correct any mistakes.

When you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, ranging from community service to probation, to prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you could be taken into custody immediately, or you might be given a date that you must report to jail to do your time.

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Are you trying to find out if some you know is incarcerated in jail, or has ever been in jail?

To do this, you need to go to the De Kalb County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and do a search using:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• or jail ID.

If you’re not sure if your friend or family member is in jail, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants on the De Kalb County court website or you can call the jail directly. You have to have their first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and inquire at the information desk. Bear in mind that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and the date of their arrest, contact the De Kalb County jail, either by phone, in person, or check online. Records of arrests are a matter of public record and these records are accessible by the public.

Civil processes are when someone has been served with papers, such as a court order. You can find these by contacting the De Kalb County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders are listed and registered on a sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to see this information on the website, but you should know that you will not find the street address, but only the neighborhood block that they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. These records include a court case file that contains a court docket and all of the filings and documents filed in the case. You are able to access court records on their website, or at the De Kalb County Clerk of Court office where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of people’s criminal history. These state databases are connected and you can track criminal histories from any other state. You are able to go to courthouse and check in person, or you can check online. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that the crime was in a different state entirely, you might have to pay for a more intensive search.

A criminal records search you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any crimes, which can include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug Possession of Drug Trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

If you do a criminal records check, usually will not learn if someone has had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for driving records, you have to do a search for their driving history.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? Was it easy? Did you do your search online or did you make a phone call to the De Kalb County courthouse? Did you get information that was correct? There are plenty of reasons that folks search for criminal records and backgrounds, and your feedback might help other people.

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Most Wanted

The FBI has their list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In De Kalb County, the De Kalb County Sheriff has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List

De Kalb County Sheriff’s Department’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of being incarcerated in Dekalb County Jail is quite unpleasant, eventually you will get accustomed to the daily routine there. Prisoners get a wake-up alarm each morning at 6am, and next you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will get breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will work in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Dekalb County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Dekalb County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The procedure to send funds to Dekalb County Jail inmates is likely to change, so be sure to double check the the Dekalb County Jail website before you send money to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Dekalb County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Dekalb County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Dekalb County Jail

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been a prisoner in Dekalb County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member that spent time there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate in this jail?

If yes, then please leave a comment below about it. Write down what you experienced so that other people will know what to expect.

Things you can put in what you write:

• Conditions in Dekalb County Jail.
• Jail facility and layout
• Jail staff and Guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation
• Inmates.
• Safety
• Gangs
• Activities and programs


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Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has at least one story to tell about it. Why were you locked up? Did you get fair treatment? What was your daily routine in jail? What were the other inmates like? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Click here to tell your story about Dekalb County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Need to talk to a friend from jail? Send a message to them here.

Post a message to people still locked up at Dekalb County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Dekalb County Jail Website
Dekalb County Jail Inmate Search Link
View Dekalb County Jail Mugshots
Dekalb County Jail Bail Link

Dekalb County Jail Visitation
Dekalb County Jail Mail Policy
Locate an inmate at Dekalb County Jail
De Kalb County Warrant Inquiry
Dekalb County Jail Arrests
Send Funds to an Inmate at Dekalb County Jail
Dekalb County Jail Jobs


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