>Clinton County Arrest Records Online

Clinton County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clinton County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Clinton County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. The Illinois FOIA operates under the principle that government records should be accessible to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability to the citizenry.

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties. Under Illinois law, specifically 50 ILCS 205/3, law enforcement agencies are required to preserve records of official actions, including arrests. These records document the apprehension of individuals by authorized law enforcement personnel and contain information regarding the circumstances of the arrest, the charges filed, and the identity of the arrested individual.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests in accordance with established procedures. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office processes these requests in compliance with § 140/3 of the Illinois FOIA, which mandates that public bodies make records promptly available upon request.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clinton County?

Clinton County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with Illinois public records laws. The digital availability of these records represents the county's implementation of § 140/8.5 of the Illinois FOIA, which encourages public bodies to make information available electronically when feasible.

The Clinton County Circuit Court maintains an electronic database that includes information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system operates pursuant to Supreme Court of Illinois Electronic Filing Procedures and User Manual guidelines, ensuring standardized access to judicial records.

Online access to arrest records is subject to certain limitations established by § 140/7 of the Illinois FOIA, which exempts specific categories of information from disclosure to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. Users of online systems should be aware that some information may be redacted or unavailable due to these statutory exemptions.

How to Look Up Clinton County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Clinton County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The county has established multiple channels for record retrieval in accordance with § 140/3(c) of the Illinois FOIA, which requires public bodies to establish procedures for record requests.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office
810 Franklin Street, Carlyle, IL 62231
Phone: (618) 594-4555
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Clinton County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records and processes requests in person, by mail, or through designated electronic systems. Requesters must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.

Clinton County Circuit Clerk
850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231
Phone: (618) 594-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Clinton County Circuit Court

The Circuit Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. These records may be accessed through the courthouse public access terminals or through the statewide Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search system for cases resulting in incarceration.

Pursuant to § 140/6 of the Illinois FOIA, agencies may charge reasonable fees for record reproduction, but examination of records must be permitted without charge.

Contents of a Clinton County Arrest Record

Clinton County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 1240, which establishes uniform record-keeping requirements for law enforcement agencies throughout the state. These records typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations for alleged offenses
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5
Arresting agency and officer identification
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Custody status information including bond amount and conditions

The Illinois State Police maintains the central repository for criminal history record information, including arrest data from Clinton County, in accordance with the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/0.01 et seq.). This centralized system ensures standardized record formats and facilitates information sharing between authorized agencies.

Legal Uses of Clinton County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Clinton County authorities serve multiple legitimate purposes within the criminal justice system and beyond. The authorized uses of these records are governed by various Illinois statutes that balance public access with privacy protections.

Pursuant to the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/3), arrest records may be utilized by law enforcement agencies for criminal investigations, background checks, and the administration of justice. These records form an essential component of the criminal history information system maintained by the Illinois State Police.

The Clinton County Clerk's Office may provide certified copies of arrest records for official purposes, including:

Court proceedings related to the arrest
Employment background checks for positions authorized under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1 et seq.)
Professional licensing determinations by state regulatory bodies
Immigration proceedings and determinations
Housing applications where permitted by local ordinance

Employers and licensing agencies utilizing arrest records must comply with the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-103), which prohibits inquiry into arrest records that did not result in conviction unless the inquiry is authorized by another applicable law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clinton County

Clinton County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances established by the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). Expungement effectively removes records from public access and, when granted, requires agencies to destroy or return all records pertaining to the arrest.

Eligibility for expungement typically includes:

Arrests resulting in release without charging
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Cases meeting statutory waiting periods after sentence completion

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clinton County Circuit Court, payment of applicable fees, and notification to all agencies holding records of the arrest. The State's Attorney's Office has the right to object to the petition within 60 days, after which a hearing may be scheduled.

Clinton County Circuit Court
850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231
Phone: (618) 594-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Clinton County Circuit Court

Pursuant to § 5.2(d)(6) of the Criminal Identification Act, certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including DUI offenses, sexual offenses against minors, and domestic battery. Individuals with questions about eligibility should consult legal counsel or the Circuit Clerk's office.