DuPage County Legal Resources
About the DuPage County Court System
DuPage County makes up the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. The main courthouse is located at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, and is part of the main DuPage.
County government campus. For specific court locations, including traffic courts, or for directions and hours, click here.
Your Next Court Date
To find an upcoming scheduled court date in DuPage County by clicking this link provided by the Clerk’s Office. You will need to enter either a case number or the last name of a party in the case to see when the next court date is scheduled.
Representing Yourself in DuPage County
Parties in a lawsuit can represent themselves, this is called pro se representation. (The Latin term pro se means 'for oneself' or 'on one's own behalf' and in the legal world it means representing yourself without an attorney). Depending on the complexity of the matter, your knowledge of legal proceedings, and your ability to appear in court at the time and on the day set by the judge, you might want to consider hiring an attorney for your legal matter.
DuPage County has a special court for parties representing themselves in domestic relations matters, called pro se court, which is held on Thursdays at 4:00 pm. Note that only family law cases involving money or enforcement of a divorce judgment can be addressed in pro se night court.
Click here for the link on the DuPage County Courts website. You will find more information about representing yourself in domestic relations matters, forms that can be downloaded, and a brochure with more detail about night court in DuPage. Note that if either party hires an attorney, the case will have to be heard by a judge in one of the regular domestic relations courtrooms during daytime court hours.
Bringing Children to Court
In general, bringing your minor children to court is not a good idea, no matter how well-behaved. In some courtrooms children are not allowed at all. You need to be able to provide your full attention to your legal matter.
There is a FREE children’s waiting room on the first floor of the DuPage County judicial center, called Safe Harbor, located near the cafeteria. Children ages 6 months to 12 years will have much more fun playing at Safe Harbor than sitting with you in a courtroom. Click here for more information and registration forms.
Free Legal Information
There is a lot of information on the internet about legal issues, not all of which can be trusted. Secondhand information from your neighbor, friend or aunt might not apply to your case, even though it sounds the same. See the helpful resources below for information.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online - www.illinoislegalaid.org - For accurate answers in English and Spanish to basic legal questions about matters in Illinois, this website is very helpful. This website also has basic forms for download and live volunteer operators (via a chat function) for real time assistance to find information. Click here for the English website and click here for the Spanish version.
- DuPage County Pro Se Assistance Center - Located In the DuPage County Courthouse on the second floor, Room 2017, the Pro Se Assistance Center is staffed by volunteer attorneys on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. There are no appointments, assistance is offered on a first come, first served basis and it is intended for domestic relations cases.
- DuPage Bar Legal Aid Service - Assistance with family law cases and Chapter 7 bankruptcy caused by medical expenses is available through the Legal Aid Service office, located not far from the county complex on County Farm Road in Wheaton. Applicants must meet the financial qualifications for free (pro bono) legal representation. To be screened or for more information, call (630) 653-6212, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
- Administer Justice - Administer Justice is an Elgin-based legal aid organization with several locations. Volunteer attorneys staff clinics on Saturdays at various locations. Closest to DuPage County residents are those held at the Wheaton Bible Church (2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month) and at Christ Church of Oak Brook (3rd Saturday of the month). Click here for the Administer Justice Website (www.administerjustice.org) or call 877-778-6006 for more information and to make an appointment.
- Prairie State Legal Services of DuPage - This legal aid organization handles a variety of types of cases. Applicants must also meet income guidelines for pro bono assistance from Prairie State. Click here for the Prairie State website (www.pslegal.org). For screening or other information call (630) 690-2130.
