>Carroll County Arrest Records Online

Carroll County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Carroll County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Carroll County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Illinois FOIA mandates that public bodies make records available to any person for inspection or copying upon request, subject to certain exceptions designed to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive information.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. These records typically become available to the public after the initial processing of an arrested individual has been completed. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate county agencies, which are required by law to respond within five business days under normal circumstances.

It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, which protects personal privacy and sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses of certain officials, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Carroll County?

Carroll County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Carroll County Circuit Clerk's Office provides an online portal where members of the public may search for court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This digital accessibility is part of the county's ongoing effort to enhance transparency and provide efficient public service.

The online availability of arrest records is governed by the Illinois Court Records Act (705 ILCS 105/16) and the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/), which establish parameters for the digital dissemination of criminal justice information. While basic arrest information is typically available online, certain sensitive details may be omitted from public-facing databases in accordance with privacy protections established by Illinois law.

Users of online record systems should be aware that the most current and complete information may still require direct contact with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office or Circuit Clerk, as some records may experience delays in digital processing or may contain restrictions not immediately apparent in online databases.

How to Look Up Carroll County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Carroll County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, each with specific procedures and requirements. The following options are provided in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/) and the Freedom of Information Act:

Online Database Searches: The Carroll County court record search system allows users to query arrest records using name, case number, or other identifiers. This service is available 24 hours per day, though system maintenance may occasionally restrict access.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours to request arrest records. Staff members are available to assist with searches and provide copies of available records for the statutorily prescribed fees.
Written Requests: FOIA requests may be submitted in writing to the Records Custodian at either the Sheriff's Office or Circuit Clerk's Office. Requests must reasonably identify the records sought and include the requestor's contact information.
Illinois State Police Records: For comprehensive criminal history information, the Illinois State Police Inmate Search provides data on individuals currently in custody or under supervision.

Requestors should note that pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, fees may be assessed for copying records, though the first 50 pages of black and white copies are provided at no charge. Additional fees for certified copies or specialized searches may apply according to the fee schedule established by the Carroll County Board.

Carroll County Sheriff's Office
301 N. Main St.
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
(815) 244-2635
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sheriff's Office Website

Carroll County Circuit Clerk
301 N. Main St., Room 101
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
(815) 244-0224
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Circuit Clerk's Website

Contents of a Carroll County Arrest Record

Carroll County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 4000, which governs criminal history record information. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying characteristics.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency making the arrest; and statutory authority under which the arrest was made.
Offense Information: Description of the alleged criminal violation(s), including Illinois Compiled Statutes citations, classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, etc.), and factual circumstances as documented by law enforcement.
Processing Data: Booking photographs (mugshots), fingerprint records, assigned identification numbers, and property inventory taken at the time of booking.
Case Disposition: Initial court appearance information, bond or bail determinations, detention status, and preliminary hearing schedules.
Agency Information: Documentation of the law enforcement entities involved in the arrest, investigation, and processing of the individual.

It should be noted that pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/7, certain arrest information may be subject to restricted access if the case resulted in acquittal, dismissal, or if the records have been ordered sealed or expunged by judicial decree.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Carroll County

The expungement and sealing of arrest records in Carroll County follows procedures established under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). Expungement constitutes the physical destruction of records and removal from public indices, while sealing limits access to specified government agencies and does not destroy the underlying records.

Eligibility for expungement or sealing is determined by several factors:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for immediate expungement.
Arrests not resulting in charges may be eligible for expungement after a waiting period.
Certain convictions may qualify for sealing after applicable waiting periods, typically 3-5 years following completion of the sentence.
Some offenses, particularly violent felonies and sex offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement or sealing.

The process requires petitioners to:

Obtain a complete copy of their criminal history transcript from the Illinois State Police.
File a Petition for Expungement or Sealing with the Circuit Clerk in the county where the arrest occurred.
Pay the required filing fee (currently $60 in Carroll County, with fee waivers available for indigent petitioners).
Serve copies of the petition on all agencies holding records of the arrest.
Attend a hearing if objections are filed by the State's Attorney or affected agencies.

Upon approval, the court issues an Order for Expungement or Sealing, which must be served on all relevant agencies. These agencies then have 60 days to comply with the order by destroying or sealing the specified records.

Petitioners should be aware that even after expungement, certain entities, including law enforcement agencies and the Illinois Department of Corrections, may retain access to sealed records for specified purposes under 20 ILCS 2630/12.

Carroll County Courthouse
301 N. Main St.
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
(815) 244-0230
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Illinois Courts Website