Melrose Park Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Melrose Park, Illinois?
Arrest records are public documents in Melrose Park, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Illinois FOIA serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials, including those in law enforcement capacities.
The Melrose Park Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as permitted under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA. Such redactions typically include personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to juvenile offenders.
It should be noted that while arrest records are public, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Illinois law and the U.S. Constitution, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How to Look Up Melrose Park Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple avenues exist for members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Melrose Park. The following methods are authorized pursuant to applicable state and local regulations:
• In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Melrose Park Police Department. Requestors must complete a standardized FOIA request form specifying the records sought.
Melrose Park Police Department
1 N. Broadway
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 344-8409
Melrose Park Police Department
Hours of operation for public record requests: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
• Written Requests: Written FOIA requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division at the address listed above. All written requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, and a detailed description of the records sought.
• Electronic Submissions: The Melrose Park Police Department accepts FOIA requests via email. Requests should be directed to the Records Division at records@melroseparkpd.com and must contain the same information required for written requests.
• Online Portal Access: The Village of Melrose Park maintains an online portal through which citizens may submit FOIA requests. This system provides tracking capabilities and electronic delivery of responsive documents when available.
Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3(d), the Melrose Park Police Department must respond to FOIA requests within five business days, though this period may be extended by an additional five business days under certain circumstances as outlined in § 3(e) of the Act.
Contents of a Melrose Park Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Melrose Park Police Department typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Illinois state law and departmental policies:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual, including:
- Full legal name
- Known aliases or nicknames
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as reported)
- Address at time of arrest
• Arrest details, including:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory violations alleged
- Case number assigned
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Circumstances leading to the arrest
• Processing information, including:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening results (with certain privacy protections)
• Judicial processing information, including:
- Court case number
- Bond amount and conditions
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of charges (if available)
It should be noted that certain information contained within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, particularly information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or that might compromise ongoing law enforcement proceedings.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Melrose Park
The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by the Melrose Park Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. These procedures are governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, the Criminal Identification Act.
Expungement constitutes the physical destruction of records and removal from public indices, while sealing limits access to specified government entities. The following provisions apply to expungement proceedings in Melrose Park:
• Eligibility Criteria: Expungement eligibility generally extends to:
- Arrests not resulting in charges
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
- Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
- Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods
• Petition Process: Individuals seeking expungement must:
- File a petition with the Circuit Court of Cook County
- Provide notice to the Melrose Park Police Department and the Cook County State's Attorney
- Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualified applicants)
- Attend scheduled court hearings as required
Cook County Circuit Court - Fourth Municipal District
1500 Maybrook Drive
Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 865-6040
Cook County Circuit Court
• Waiting Periods: Statutory waiting periods apply to expungement eligibility based on offense type and disposition. These periods range from immediate eligibility for non-conviction records to several years for certain conviction records.
• Effect of Expungement: Upon court-ordered expungement, the Melrose Park Police Department must:
- Remove all records from public access
- Return or destroy photographs, fingerprints, and other identification
- Remove case information from departmental indices
- Notify the Illinois State Police of the expungement order
Individuals with questions regarding expungement eligibility are advised that the Cook County Circuit Court offers free expungement information sessions on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Maywood Courthouse.
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