Rule 611.Oral Argument

Article VI. Appeals in Criminal Cases, Post-Conviction Cases, and Juvenile Court Proceedings · Last amended 2013 · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceRule 611 gives criminal appeals scheduling priority over civil appeals for oral argument, and otherwise follows the general oral-argument rules.

Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 611

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Sequence and Manner of Calling. The sequence and manner of calling cases for oral

argument is governed by Rule 351 and priority shall be given to appeals in criminal cases over appeals in civil cases.

(b) Other Matters. In other respects oral argument is governed by Rule 352.

Plain-English Summary

When cases are called for oral argument, Rule 611 puts criminal appeals ahead of civil ones, borrowing the sequencing rule from Rule 351.

Everything else about how argument runs — length, format, and the like — comes from Rule 352, the same rule civil appeals use. Rule 611 adds nothing beyond that priority; it just points to the two civil-appeal rules that already cover the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do criminal appeals get priority for oral argument?

Yes, over civil appeals, in the order cases are called.

Which rule sets the order and manner of calling cases?

Rule 351.

What governs oral argument beyond the calling order?

Rule 352 covers the rest.

Does Rule 611 create separate oral-argument procedures for criminal cases?

No, it borrows the civil-appeal rules and adds only the scheduling priority.

Does Rule 611 guarantee oral argument in every criminal appeal?

No, it addresses sequencing once argument is scheduled under Rules 351 and 352.

Committee Comments

This is former Rule 27(15) with language changes for clarification. Rule 27(15) was derived in part from section 121-12(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963.

Amendment History

Amended Feb. 6, 2013, 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: oral argument criminal appeal Illinoisrule 611 scheduling prioritycriminal appeal oral argument rulespriority of criminal over civil appealsIllinois appellate oral argument order