Mercer County Jail – Aledo, IL

Mercer County Jail is located in Mercer County, Illinois and is the primary jail for that region. Know somebody locked up in Mercer County Jail? This page will tell you about everything one might want to know about Mercer County Jailsuch as the following: How to locate an inmate at Mercer County Jail. How to view Mercer County Jail mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bailing out of jail. Booking and intake procedures. Mercer County court information. And lots more.

The prospect of going to jail is a daunting and scary thought, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The purpose of this guide is to give information that you’ll need to make helping someone get out of jail a lot easier. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and any comments or feedback that could help others would be much appreciated.

Do you have a family member or friend that is locked up and want to find out where they are?

Has somebody that has been arrested and you don’t know how to locate them?

In order to search who’s in jail at Mercer County Jail you will need to go to their link and use the inmate lookup.

The Mercer County Jail Inmate List is an online list of persons who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes current status, how much their bail is, and visiting hours. You can get the same information for anyone booked or discharged in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You’ll be able to locate their arrest information quicker if you have your friend or family member’s name, date of birth, or inmate ID Number.

If the person you are looking for is in another jail you should check our guide to other Illinois jails: Illinois Jails

A mugshot, also called a intake picture, is the photo that the police take when you are booked into jail. A mugshot is actually two photos one frontal photo and a side picture. Your full name and jail booking number will be in the photos, and they’re stored.

Mugshots of Mercer County Jail prisoners are on the Mercer County Jail website, or you can view them at the Mercer County Jail. When you search for mugshots online you will have to enter the person’s legal name, and a booking date, if you have one.

Trying to figure out how to have your mugshot removed from the Mercer County Jail site? This is difficult, since the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot removed you need to file a Petition to Expunge in court. What this means is that the record of your arrest will be sealed, and unavailable to the public. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

For a more in-depth article about removing your mugshot, the many different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

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Naturally, once you’re arrested and put in jail, your main thought is about how to get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, your bail amount will be determined by a special judge called a magistrate. If there is no bail set this can mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out of jail you must promise to go to your court date, and in the meantime you are not permitted to leave the county.

Usually, an inmate are given time off in exchange for good behavior if they follow the rules and area a good inmate while incarcerated.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you might be given work release detail. You will have to return to the jail every day when you’re finished with work, or you could be permitted to move into a halfway house instead of living at the jail.

Bail is how much money that you have to pay to the court system to be released from jail until you go to court. Your bail amount is dictated by the crime you are charged with. Someone you know will need to put up 10 percent of the total amount set so you are able to bail out of jail. If you don’t show up for court, the person that bailed you out of jail will lose that bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail have to call the jail. If you have all the pertinent information, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll tell you what their bail is set at. You can also check their bail amount and status online.

Bailing out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but most of the time, its easy if you have the money. To start with, you need to know if their bail is a Cash Only Bond. If this is the case, you will not be able to use a Bail Bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – the jail can’t accept a personal check. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the prisoner will be released into your care. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get your money back.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just don’t have the money, you should hire a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen usually have a fee of 10-15% of total bail, and usually with a minimum of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bail bondsman will in these cases ask to use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond in addition to whatever their charges are.

You can find a bail bondsman click here: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to use a Bail Bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If you have, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out.

Click here to leave a comment

• Early Release For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Released For Time Served
• Be Released on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure includes each of these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• The first step is that you must answer some basic questions, such as what is your full legal name, address, birthdate and an emergency contact.
• You will also be asked about your mental and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• Any property you have will be taken from you and stored until you are released.
• You will then be allowed to make a phone call to get in touch with a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you think you will get released quickly, you might be allowed to skip the jumpsuit and keep wearing your own clothes, otherwise you will have to wear a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, please tell us how it happened. How long did it take to get processed? How did the guards treat you? Do you know any tips that will help other people that get arrested get through the procedure?

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When you post bail, you will be discharged from jail. Getting discharged may take between 10 minutes to quite a few hours. So, the faster bail is posted, the quicker you will get released. Also, how fast you get released can depend on whether you have a cash bond or if the magistrate must decide on how much your bail will be. For a minor charge, you will be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have served your sentence and have a date of your release, expect to be discharged anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

In the event there is a, or if you have to start your sentence, you really should follow the law and turn yourself in willingly. If you have a warrant, go down to the jail, and tell them that you think there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, go down to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order requires you to. Be sure that you are not late to report. Just bring things that are allowed when you go to jail, like a driver’s license or your ID, prescription medication, and the copy of the sentencing order.

The inmate have to provide each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance of any visit. This information will be put in a log of approved visitors as an Authorized visit. All visitors will have to provide identification. Visitors arriving late or without a visiting order will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures change often, so you should visit the official site before you try to go to visitation.

All phone calls from jail are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Phone calls made in jail are usually more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. There are certain restrictions about when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but bear in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the rules and are disciplined, an inmate’s ability to use the phone might get cut back or totally denied.

Phone Number: 309-582-5194

Any mail that you send to an inmate must be sent using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other form of mail delivery. You must write the prisoner’s name, inmate ID number, and jail address on the letter. Don’t send anything in a package, envelope with padding, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. All mail sent to inmates is opened and inspected and read by the jail staff, and the mail will be returned to the sender if deemed inappropriate.

The mailing address for Mercer County Jail is:

Mercer County Jail
906 Sw 3Rd St.
Aledo, IL 61231

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Mercer County Jail
906 Sw 3Rd St.
Aledo, IL 61231

The mail policy changes, so be sure to double check the the Mercer County Jail website when send a letter to someone in jail there.

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If you have been arrested, you still have certain rights, one of these is that you have the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure to have a friend or family member find a lawyer when you call. You might be thinking ‘do I really need an attorney?’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, an attorney will advise you about your rights, look after your best interests and guide you through the criminal justice system. The quicker you get an attorney working on your criminal case, the better off you’ll be.

For more info on this, click: Find an Attorney

If you’ve been arrested and cannot afford an attorney, you will get a public defender. In addition, the Public Defender’s Office has access to private investigators, forensics experts as well as social case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are actual lawyers, members of the Illinois State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you or someone you know had to use a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? How did they do?

All court records are public records and are available upon request. Court records have a court case file with a docket and each of the motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed in the case. You are able to access your court case records via the Mercer County website, or at the Clerk’s office of the Court.

A Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that maintains the records. They also administer the oath for anyone testifying in court, and read the jury’s verdict. All records and documents associated with your court case are held at Clerk of Court’s office.

Court fees are the fees and charges from your court case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you are low income and have been assigned a Public Defender, you may not have to pay the fees.

A Magistrate is the type of judge that presides on your case in court. Magistrates do different functions, which include determining how much your bail will be, issuing warrants for arrest, and presiding over initial court appearances and detention hearings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is prepared with your background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life history, which the magistrate will review and take into account when determining your sentence. Information and personal details will be gathered from the defendant, his or her family members, and in some cases the victim. Remember that you can request to receive a copy of the report prior to sentencing, and review it and correct any mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, which include community service, house arrest, and probation, to incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on how serious your crime was, you may be locked up immediately, or you could be given a date to turn yourself into jail to serve your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if someone is locked up, or has gone to jail in the past?

To find this out you will have to query the jail’s website, and search using:

• Their name.
• Birthdate.
• Approximate booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

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

If you think you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can access court records on the Mercer County court website or call the jail directly. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask them. You should be clear that if there is an arrest warrant out for you, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the Mercer County jail, either by phone, go there in person, or you can check online. Records of arrests are public record and this is freely available.

Civil processes are when you get served with legal papers, such as , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can find these by getting in touch with the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All registered sex offenders are required to be registered on either a national or state 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 won’t see the exact address, rather the block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. Court Records include a case file containing a court docket and any of the filings and documents filed in your court case. You can access the court records on the website, or at Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Each and every state maintains a record of their state citizen’s criminal background. These databases are all linked so you are able to track criminal histories from another state. Go to courthouse and inquire, or you can check online. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that it was in a completely different state, you may have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you will get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any of the following crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

But, when you do a criminal records check, usually won’t find if they have had any:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Drivers license suspended or revoked.
• Traffic accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get driving histories, you must do a driving records search.

Have you ever tried to search for someone’s criminal records? Was it easy? Did you do your search online or did you have to make a phone call to the jail? Did you get information that was correct? There are lots of reasons that people search for criminal records, and your feedback may help other people.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI maintains a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Mercer County,The Sheriff’s Department has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: Link

Mercer County Sheriff’s Department Ten Most Wanted List: External Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of being incarcerated in Mercer County Jail is very scary, you will soon get accustomed to the routine that is set for you. All inmates get an alarm to wake up every morning at 6am, and next you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will eat breakfast. Following breakfast you will be required to 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 Mercer 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 Mercer 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 jail inmates can change, so you should double check the official Mercer County Jail site when you send funds to an inmate.


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 Mercer County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Mercer 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 Mercer County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must 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.

Click here to share your story


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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.

Click here to tell your story

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 spent any time at Mercer County Jail? Do you know someone there? Have you ever visited a prisoner at this jail?

If you have, then please write your review about it. Write about what you experienced because other people can learn what to expect.

Things you can put in your review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail, yard and pod facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitation
• Inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gangs
• Inmate programs and activities


Let Everyone Know

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has some stories to tell about the whole experience. Why were you locked up? Were you fairly treated? What happened to you while you were locked up? How did you get along with the other inmates? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Tell Your Story

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Do you want to say wassup to a person you met in jail? Send a message to them here.

Send a message to people incarcerated at Mercer County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Mercer County Jail Website
Mercer County Jail Inmate Search
Mercer County Jail Mugshots
Mercer County Jail Bail Amount Link

Mercer County Jail Visitation
Mercer County Jail Mail Policy
Locate an inmate at Mercer County Jail
Mercer County Jail Warrant Inquiry Link
Mercer County Jail Arrest Inquiry
Send Money to an Inmate at Mercer County Jail
Mercer County Jail Employment


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