Rule 505.Notice to Accused

Article V. Rules on Trial Court Proceedings in Traffic and Conservation Offenses, Ordinance Offenses, Petty Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Civil Law Violations · Part A. General · Last amended 2025 · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceRule 505 requires officers to hand out a plain-language notice explaining how to avoid a second trip to court by telling the clerk early about a not-guilty plea or a jury demand.

Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 505

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When issuing a Uniform Citation and Complaint, a conservation complaint or a Notice to

Appear in lieu of either, the officer shall also issue a written notice to the accused in substantially the following form:

AVOID MULTIPLE COURT APPEARANCES If you intend to plead “not guilty” to this charge, or if, in addition, you intend to demand a trial by jury, so notify the clerk of the court at least 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) before the day set for your appearance. A new appearance date will be set, and arrangements will be made to have the arresting officer present on that new date. Failure to notify the clerk of either your intention to plead “not guilty” or your intention to demand a jury trial may result in your having to return to court, if you plead “not guilty” on the date originally set for your court appearance.

Upon timely receipt of notice that the accused intends to plead “not guilty,” the clerk shall set a new appearance date not less than 7 days nor more than 60 days after the original appearance date set by the arresting officer or the clerk of the circuit court, and notify all parties of the new date and the time for appearance. If the accused demands a trial by jury, the trial shall be scheduled within a reasonable period. In order to invoke the right to a speedy trial, the accused if not in custody must file an appropriate, separate demand, as provided in section 103-5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, as amended (725 ILCS 5/103-5). The proper prosecuting attorney shall be served with such separate written demand for speedy trial. If the accused fails to notify the clerk as provided above, the arresting officer’s failure to appear on the date originally set for appearance may be considered good cause for a continuance. Any state agency or any unit of local government desiring to be exempt from the requirements of this Rule 505 may apply to the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges for an exemption.

End

Plain-English Summary

Along with a traffic citation, conservation complaint, or notice to appear, Rule 505 requires officers to hand the accused a written notice explaining a simple trade: if you plan to plead not guilty, or you want a jury trial, tell the clerk at least 10 work days before your scheduled court date. Skip that step, and you may end up making two court appearances instead of one.

Once the clerk gets timely notice of a not-guilty plea, a new appearance date gets set — between 7 and 60 days after the original one — and every party gets notified. A jury demand pushes the case toward trial within a reasonable time. Wanting a speedy trial takes an extra step for an accused who isn't in custody: that person has to file a separate written demand under the Code of Criminal Procedure and serve it on the prosecutor.

Some agencies don't have to follow this notice requirement at all — a state agency or local government can apply to the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges for an exemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the notice attached to my ticket tell me?

It explains how to avoid a second court appearance by notifying the clerk early if you plan to plead not guilty or demand a jury trial.

How soon do I need to notify the clerk if I want to plead not guilty?

At least 10 days before your appearance date, not counting Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.

What happens after I tell the clerk I'm pleading not guilty?

The clerk sets a new appearance date, between 7 and 60 days after the original one, and notifies everyone involved.

Do I need to do anything extra to get a speedy trial?

If you're not in custody, yes. You have to file a separate written demand for a speedy trial under the Code of Criminal Procedure and have it served on the prosecuting attorney.

Can a police agency skip Rule 505's notice requirement?

Yes, a state agency or unit of local government can apply to the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges for an exemption.

Amendment History

Amended effective October 7, 1970; amended February 17, 1977, effective April 1, 1977, in counties other than Cook, effective July 1, 1977, in Cook County; amended December 22, 1981, effective January 15, 1982; amended April 27, 1984, effective July 1, 1984; amended June 26, 1987, effective August 1, 1987; amended June 19, 1989, effective August 1, 1989; amended May 24, 1995, effective January 1, 1996; amended Oct. 27, 2022, eff. Sept. 18, 2023; amended June 3, 2025, eff. immediately.

Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: plead not guilty to a traffic ticketavoid multiple court appearances traffic ticketdemand a jury trial traffic ticketnotify clerk of not guilty plea