Members of the public who wish to observe the upcoming People vs. Van Dyke criminal trial will be required to register for a seat in advance.
The trial will be held at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2650 S. California Avenue, Chicago. The defendant is Jason Van Dyke, 40.
Seating for the general public is limited, but will be available beginning Monday, September 17, 2018. Public seating will be available each day court is in session. All seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Members of the general public interested in viewing the trial must sign up in person in the lobby of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse the day before they wish to be in court. For example, if you wish to attend the trial on Monday, September 17, 2018 you must come to the Courthouse today to add your name to the list.
To sign up, interested parties, 16 years of age or older, must register with Sheriff’s courthouse deputies on the 1st floor in the lobby of the courthouse between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the next day’s session. Everyone registering must present a valid, government-issued photo identification card such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.
Spectators should arrive one hour prior to the start of trial daily. This will allow ample time to pass through the courthouse’s main security area, as well as complete the daily check-in process outside of the trial courtroom before being seated. All spectators are required to be seated in the trial courtroom 15 minutes prior to the start of trial each day. Any pre-registered spectator not seated 15 minutes prior to the trial may forfeit their trial courtroom seat for the day.
The following items are not allowed in the trial courtroom: electronic devices of any kind, including cell phones, bags, packages, briefcases, purses, coats, boxes, any other kind of containers, notebooks, paper, pens and pencils. Additionally, per the judge’s decorum orders, clothing with prejudicial or inflammatory logos, insignias or paraphernalia are prohibited.
Anyone causing a disruption, outburst, noise or distraction will immediately be removed from the trial courtroom. Any violation may result in the violator being held in contempt of court and / or being subject to monetary sanctions according to Illinois civil and criminal law. Anyone removed from the courtroom will not be allowed back in without prior permission from the judge.