Cumberland County State's Attorney

The Cumberland County State’s Attorney’s Office has an opening for a full-time office assistant. Please send email to [email protected] to request an application.

THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN PRINCETON, KY AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 P.M. WITH THE AID OF THE FEDERAL MARSHALLS.

1/1/2023 UPDATE
Illinois Supreme Court website says that "the effective date of the Pretrial Fairness Act … is stayed". The court also promised an expedited appeal.

UPDATE... LIST OF COUNTIES ON THE ORIGINAL SUIT AS WELL AS THOSE ADDED BEFORE THE HEARING... (IF I AM MISSISNG ONE... PLEASE ADVISE)
Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Clay, Coles, Cumberland, DeKalb, DeWitt, Douglas, Effingham, Fayette, Ford. Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Madison, Mason, Massac, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Moultrie, Ogle, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sangamon, Scott, Shelby, Stephenson, Tazewell, Union, Vermilion, Washington, White, Will, Winnebago, and Woodford

SAFE-T Act / Pre-Trial Fairness Act - Circuit Judge Thomas Cunnington has ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit, specifically ruling bail reform and pre-trial release provisions in the Pre-Trial Fairness Act unconstitutional. To be clear... provisions of the law will not go into effect on Jan. 1 in the 64 counties that signed onto the complaint filed against the administration of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.


Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (Western Springs) issued the following statement.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the often neglected victims of crime and the men and women of law enforcement who wear the badge every day. Legislation of this magnitude must not only be judged on substance, but also on process. In that regard, the Illinois Democrats failed Illinoisans. In order to fix this one-sided, anti-law enforcement, and anti-victim act, it is imperative to have a transparent and substantive negotiation with all interested parties, not just a few stakeholders and political insiders. The people of the State of Illinois deserve nothing less.”

Attorney General's Office Statement:
“Although the court’s decision is binding in the 64 cases that were consolidated in Kankakee County, it is important to note that it is not binding in any other case, including those involving criminal defendants in any of the state’s 102 counties. To definitively resolve this challenge to the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act, Governor Pritzker, the legislative leaders named in the consolidated cases and I intend to appeal the circuit court’s decision directly to the Illinois Supreme Court, where we will ask the court to reverse the circuit court’s decision.

“Most of the SAFE-T Act’s provisions have been in effect for more than a year, and regardless of today’s circuit court decision, all parts of the SAFE-T Act, including the pretrial release portions addressed in the court’s decision, will go into effect Jan 1. For instance, the right of individuals awaiting criminal trials – people who have not been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent – to seek release from jail without having to pay cash bail will go into effect in a few short days, despite the court’s ruling against those provisions. Illinois residents in all counties should be aware that the circuit court’s decision has no effect on their ability to exercise their rights that are protected by the SAFE-T Act and the Illinois Constitution.”

Governor JB Pritzker's Statement:
CHICAGO – Following Kankakee County Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Cunnington’s ruling that the pretrial release provisions of the SAFE-T Act are unconstitutional, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement.
“Today’s ruling is a setback for the principles we fought to protect through the passage of the SAFE-T Act. The General Assembly and advocates worked to replace an antiquated criminal justice system with a system rooted in equity and fairness. We cannot and should not defend a system that fails to keep people safe by allowing those who are a threat to their community the ability to simply buy their way out of jail. I thank the Attorney General for his work on this case and look forward to the Illinois Supreme Court taking up the appeal as soon as possible.”

The Safe-T Act was held Unconstitutional By a Kankakee Judge.
Cumberland County was made part of the suit by way of Judicial Order dated December 20, 2022.

The Cumberland County Courthouse will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday 2/16) due to inclement weather.

***Public Service Announcement***
This past weekend an Instagram user targeted a number of 13 year old females in the Cumberland area via message request. The Instagram message is attached. Captain Russell Thomas of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation of the matter. Cumberland County residents and their minor children should be suspicious of any person sending unsolicited Instagram messages. Furthermore do not engage in any type of financial transactions with these individuals through Cash App or any other financial applications.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARREST CHARLESTON MAN FOR PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT

Effingham, IL – On July 15, 2020, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 officials arrested Scott E. D. Ross, a 22-year-old male of Charleston, IL for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault.

The arrest occurred following an extensive, cooperative investigation stemming from information initially reported on July 13, 2020 to the Greenup Police Department. Ross was formally charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child (Class X Felony) by the Cumberland County State’s Attorney, Bryan D. Robbins, on July 16, 2020. Charging documents allege Ross, in August 2015, in Cumberland County, IL, while the defendant was 17 years of age or older, committed an act of contact between the s*x organ of the defendant and the part of the body of a minor victim who was under the age of 13 at the time of the offense, and that the act was committed for the purpose of s*xual gratification or arousal of the accused, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40(a)(1). Bond was set by the court on Friday, July 17, 2020 in Cumberland County at $100,000, 10% to apply and Ross is being held at the Cumberland County Jail.

The Greenup Police Department assisted ISP DCI Zone 8 in this on-going investigation. No additional information is being released at this time. Further inquiries should be directed to the Cumberland County State’s Attorney’s Office. Anyone with additional information regarding possible illegal conduct by Ross is asked to call ISP DCI Zone 8 Special Agent Travis Rinehart at (217) 342-7881.

What should you do if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19? The Illinois Department of Public Health offers the tips below. For more information on COVID-19 visit: www.dph.illinois.gov

*** Public Service Announcement Regarding Wearing of Masks ***
The State's Attorney's Office as well as Local Law Enforcement within Cumberland County will not be enforcing the announcement of Governor Pritzker requiring individuals to wear a face-covering or a mask in certain places and in certain circumstances.
However, if a private owner of a business or other property forbids an individual from entering or remaining on their premises without a face covering you are required by law to either comply with their request or leave their premises. If you fail to do so you can be charged with criminal trespass.

SCAM ALERT: Fake coronavirus stimulus checks are already hitting mailboxes One man in Florida says there's a scam going around you need to know about – fake coronavirus relief checks.

Cumberland County Temporary Operating Procedures

Effective March 23, 2020 and until further order of the court

The Cumberland County Courthouse shall remain operational, on a limited basis, during the mandatory
stay-at-home order currently in effect for the State of Illinois. The Courthouse and annex building will
remain locked at all times, and entry will occur by appointment only. You may contact the department
with whom you wish to make an appointment, and each department head will determine whether the
appointment is necessary. All non-emergency hearings scheduled through April 7, 2020 are vacated
and continued. If you have questions about your hearing, call your attorney. If you are representing
yourself, you may call the Circuit Clerk’s office at (217) 849-3601.
If you believe you need an emergency hearing in your case, attorneys or self-represented parties should
call the Cumberland County Court Administrator’s office at (217) 849-3871 and provide an explanation
of the basis for the emergency hearing. Your request will be immediately reviewed by a Judge and a
determination will be made as to the necessity for a hearing, and the manner in which that hearing shall
be conducted.
If you wish to file any court related documents, you should utilize the mandatory e-filing system. The
system can be accessed at http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm. If you wish to pay any
fines or court costs you may make payments through www.Judici.com, the pay-by-phone system or by
mail. For more information on payment options visit http://cumberlandco.org/index.php/circuit-clerk/.
The Cumberland County judiciary remains committed to the efficient administration of justice in these
unprecedented times.

Circuit Clerk – Cumberland County Cumberland County Circuit Clerk Rhonda Wilson P.O. Box 145 Toledo, IL 62468 Phone: (217) 849-3601 Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff: Erin- Chief Deputy Kim- Deputy Clerk Angie- Deputy Clerk To view the press release from 3/16/20: PRESS RELEASE ___________________________________________________________...

Public Notice: The ISP has made the statement that Gun Shops may remain open and people may travel to and from Gun Shops as they are considered supplies to maintain the safety of residences. Executive Order 5(b) and 12(a) COVID-19 Executive Order No. 8

Update: Judge Braden has entered a further Order continuing all non-essential criminal and civil court cases that are currently set through April 17, 2020.
Any person with a criminal or traffic case that is set on a date prior to April 17, 2020 need not appear. Please be sure the Circuit Clerk has your up to date mailing address as a notice of your next court date will be mailed to you.
Any defendants who have counsel should check with their attorney to determine if their case will be continued or remain on the docket.

In light of Cumberland County having declared a state of emergency the State's Attorney's office will be limiting office appointments to essential meetings only. The office will continue to be open normal business hours and can be reached by phone at 217-849-2311.
The Public Defender's Office will also continue to be open and also asks to limit office appointments to essential appointments only. He can be reached by telephone at 217-923-3800 or email at [email protected].

Please note: Judge Braden will be entering an Order continuing all non-essential criminal and civil court cases for approximately 30-45 days.
Any person having court this Monday 3/16 or Tuesday 3/17 will not need to appear. Please be sure the Circuit Clerk has your up to date mailing address as a notice of your next court date will be mailed to you.