Branch 46 – Misdemeanor Jury Court

Branch 46 is one of the most unique courtrooms in the Chicago criminal court system. Located at 555 West Harrison Street, this courtroom is commonly referred to by attorneys as the “jury room” because it is the designated location where misdemeanor jury trials are conducted for non-traffic cases in the City of Chicago.

Unlike other branch courts such as Branch 23, Branch 29, Branch 35, and Branch 43, Branch 46 does not receive cases at the beginning. Instead, cases are transferred here only after a defendant elects to proceed with a jury trial.

Andrew M. Weisberg is a former Cook County prosecutor with nearly 30 years of experience handling criminal cases throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. He has extensive experience handling cases in branch courts across the city, including jury trials in Branch 46, and understands not only the law, but how strategic decisions about where and how a case is heard can impact the outcome.

What Makes Branch 46 Unique

Branch 46 is the central courtroom for misdemeanor jury trials in Chicago.

The branch courts where misdemeanor cases typically begin, including Branch 23, Branch 29, Branch 35, and Branch 43, are not set up to conduct jury trials. They do not have jury boxes or access to jurors, and their courtrooms are designed for bench trials and negotiated resolutions.

If a defendant wants a jury trial, that election must be made in the original branch courtroom. Once that request is made, the case is transferred to Branch 46 at 555 West Harrison.

This makes Branch 46 different from every other branch court. It is not a starting point for cases. It is a destination for cases that are moving toward trial.

How Cases Get to Branch 46

Cases do not begin in Branch 46. Instead, they originate in other branch courts throughout the city.

When a defendant, in consultation with their attorney, elects to have a jury trial, the judge in the original courtroom transfers the case to Branch 46.

From that point forward, the case proceeds in Branch 46, where it can be set for trial.

This process gives defendants an important procedural option that can affect how and where their case is ultimately resolved.

Jury Trials and Strategic Decisions

Once a case is transferred to Branch 46, the defendant has the right to proceed with a jury trial.

However, an important and often overlooked aspect of this process is that the defendant does not have to follow through with a jury trial once the case arrives in Branch 46.

In many situations, after the case is transferred, the defense may decide to waive the jury and proceed with a bench trial instead.

This creates a strategic option.

In some cases, experienced defense attorneys may recommend electing a jury trial in the original courtroom, not necessarily because the case will ultimately be tried before a jury, but because transferring the case to Branch 46 may provide a different courtroom environment or a different judge.

Once in Branch 46, the defense and the client can then decide whether to proceed with a jury trial or waive the jury and have the case decided by the judge.

Understanding when and how to use this option requires experience and familiarity with how these courtrooms operate.

The Judge in Branch 46

The judge assigned to Branch 46 has handled this assignment for many years and is widely regarded as a fair and experienced judge.

Attorneys who regularly practice in this courtroom often view the judge as someone who gives both sides a full opportunity to present their case and carefully considers the evidence before making a decision.

Whether a case proceeds as a jury trial or a bench trial, there is a general sense that the courtroom is well run and that cases are handled in a fair and balanced manner.

The Types of Cases Heard in Branch 46

Because Branch 46 receives cases from other branch courts, the types of cases heard here vary widely.

These can include retail theft, battery, criminal trespass, airport related cases, and other misdemeanor offenses that originate throughout the city of Chicago.

The common factor is not the type of offense, but the procedural posture of the case. These are cases in which a jury trial has been requested and the matter has been transferred from another branch court.

The Location and Court Environment

Branch 46 is located inside the courthouse at 555 West Harrison Street, which is also known as the domestic violence courthouse.

This building is one of the newer and more modern courthouse facilities in Cook County. It features a clean, well maintained interior, large glass windows with views of the city, and more updated amenities than many other court locations.

The elevators function efficiently, the common areas are well maintained, and the overall environment is more comfortable than many of the older branch court locations. This court has a very upscale and modern feel compared to the other court locations in Cook County.

While the building is primarily associated with domestic violence cases, Branch 46 operates within that same structure as the designated courtroom for misdemeanor jury trials.

The Importance of Understanding the Process

Branch 46 represents an important part of the misdemeanor court system that many people are not aware of.

The ability to move a case from a local branch courtroom to a centralized jury trial courtroom creates strategic opportunities, but it also requires a clear understanding of how the system works.

Decisions about whether to request a jury trial, whether to proceed with that jury trial, and how to approach the case once it is transferred can all have a meaningful impact on the outcome.

Experience Matters in Branch 46

Andrew M. Weisberg has extensive experience handling misdemeanor cases throughout Chicago, including jury trials in Branch 46.

His background as a former prosecutor, combined with decades of defense work, allows him to evaluate cases from multiple perspectives and to make strategic decisions based on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.

Understanding when to keep a case in its original courtroom and when to move it to Branch 46 is part of that experience.

Getting Help Early

If your case is pending in a Chicago branch court and you are considering a jury trial, it is important to understand how that decision will affect where your case is heard and how it will proceed.

Branch 46 plays a critical role in that process, and understanding how to navigate it can make a meaningful difference.

Contact Andrew M. Weisberg for a free consultation. He is available 24/7 to discuss your case. Call 773-908-9811 or submit a free case evaluation form, and you will receive a prompt response to begin protecting your rights.