Article IV. Rules on Criminal Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part C. Trials · Last amended 2023 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 455 requires both sides in a criminal case to file an inventory and copies of their trial exhibits with the circuit clerk within 30 days after sentencing, so the record is complete for any appeal.
(a)Filing. No later than 30 days after sentencing of any defendant entitled to appointed counsel on appeal under Rule 607(a), each party shall:
(1)file a certified inventory list of the party’s pretrial, trial, posttrial, and sentencing exhibits by exhibit number or letter with description of the exhibit (e.g., “photograph,” “DVD,” or “document”), stating whether the exhibit was admitted into evidence with the clerk of the circuit court; and
(2)submit its offered pretrial, trial, posttrial, and sentencing exhibits marked with exhibit number or letter, including exhibits not admitted into evidence to the clerk of the circuit court. The clerk of the circuit court shall maintain the exhibits as required by the Manual on Recordkeeping. The inventory shall be signed by an attorney or the pro se litigant, certifying its correctness.
(b)Service. Each party shall serve a copy of its certified inventory list on the parties of record.
(c)Extension of Time. The trial court may grant a reasonable extension of time within which
to file the certified inventory list and exhibits.
(d)Trials with Codefendants. In the case of joint or severed trials of one or more
codefendants in which only one copy of an exhibit was offered or admitted against more than one defendant, the State shall file the State’s original exhibit in one defendant’s case and a copy, so marked, in the applicable case(s) of the other defendant(s). In the case of physical evidence or oversized exhibits, a photograph of the original exhibit can be filed in the applicable case(s) of the other defendant(s).
(e)Sanctions. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Rule may result in sanctions against the noncompliant attorney or the pro se litigant.
(f)Petition to Withdraw Exhibits. Any party may petition the trial court to withdraw one or more exhibits upon good cause shown. If the trial court grants the petition, the clerk of the circuit court shall photograph or photocopy the exhibit(s) withdrawn by the party and place the photograph or photocopy in the record with a marking identifying the date the original exhibit was removed and the party who removed it. In lieu of taking a photograph of a physical exhibit withdrawn, the clerk of the circuit court may record a detailed description of the exhibit in the record sheet. The proponent of the exhibit is not responsible for maintaining the care or custody of any exhibit once released to a third party pursuant to court order.
Plain-English Summary
Once a case entitled to appointed appellate counsel is sentenced, Rule 455 requires both parties to close out the exhibit record. Within 30 days, each side files a certified inventory listing every pretrial, trial, posttrial, and sentencing exhibit it offered, describing each one and noting whether it was admitted, and submits the actual exhibits, admitted or not, to the circuit clerk for safekeeping. A copy of the inventory goes to the other side, and the court can extend the filing deadline for good reason.
Special handling applies when codefendants shared a single copy of an exhibit at trial: the state files the original in one defendant's case and a marked copy (or a photograph, for bulky or physical evidence) in the others. If a party doesn't comply, the rule allows sanctions against the responsible attorney or self-represented litigant.
Anyone who needs an exhibit back before an appeal concludes can petition the court to withdraw it on a showing of good cause; the clerk then photographs or photocopies it, or logs a description if it's not the kind of item that can be reproduced, and notes when it was removed and by whom.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must exhibits be filed with the clerk?
Within 30 days after sentencing, for defendants entitled to appointed counsel on appeal.
Does this rule apply to every criminal defendant?
It applies specifically where the defendant is entitled to appointed appellate counsel under Rule 607(a).
What happens with exhibits shared among codefendants?
The state files the original exhibit in one defendant's case and a marked copy, or a photograph for bulky items, in the others' cases.
Can a party get an exhibit back before the appeal is over?
Yes, by petitioning the court and showing good cause, after which the clerk photographs or photocopies the exhibit and records who removed it and when.
What happens if a party doesn't file the required inventory or exhibits?
The rule allows the court to impose sanctions against the noncompliant attorney or self-represented litigant.
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:criminal trial exhibit filing rule illinoisexhibit inventory list requirementfiling exhibits after sentencingwithdraw trial exhibit petitioncodefendant shared exhibit filing rule