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DeKalb Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in DeKalb, Illinois?

Arrest records in DeKalb, Illinois are public documents accessible to members of the general public. Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are subject to public disclosure. The Illinois FOIA establishes the legal framework that guarantees citizens' right to access information maintained by public bodies, promoting transparency in governmental operations and accountability to the public.

The DeKalb Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become public documents upon creation, though certain exemptions may apply in accordance with § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, which protects specific categories of sensitive information from disclosure. Such exemptions may include ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if released.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally accessible, the release of certain information may be restricted or redacted in compliance with applicable state and federal privacy laws. The DeKalb Police Department processes requests for arrest records in accordance with established FOIA procedures and statutory timeframes.

How to Look Up DeKalb Arrest Records in 2025

The DeKalb Police Department maintains multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods to obtain arrest records in DeKalb:

Online Portal Access: The DeKalb Police Department provides digital access to certain public records through the city's official website. Users may search for police reports and related documentation through this electronic system.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the DeKalb Police Department Records Division during regular business hours. Staff members are available to assist with completing the necessary FOIA request forms.
Written Correspondence: Formal written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
Electronic Submission: The department accepts FOIA requests via email. Electronic submissions must contain the same information as written requests and should be directed to the designated FOIA Officer.
Telephone Inquiries: Initial inquiries regarding the availability of specific records may be made by telephone, though formal requests typically require written documentation.

DeKalb Police Department
700 W. Lincoln Highway
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 748-8400
DeKalb Police Department Official Website

Operating hours for public record requests: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.

Contents of a DeKalb Arrest Record

DeKalb arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Illinois state law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases or alternative names, date of birth, place of birth, gender, and race.
Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, hair color, eye color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars that may assist in positive identification.
Biometric Data: Fingerprint impressions collected at the time of booking and official mugshot photographs taken from front and profile perspectives.
Incident Details: Comprehensive information regarding the circumstances of the arrest, including date, time, and precise location where the apprehension occurred.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations for which the individual was arrested, including citation of relevant Illinois Criminal Code sections.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, which may include pending court dates, dismissal information, or conviction details if the case has been adjudicated.
Arresting Agency: Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and the name or badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Booking Information: Administrative details regarding the processing of the arrested individual, including date and time of booking and temporary detention facility information.

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5, certain arrest information is also transmitted to the Illinois State Police for inclusion in state criminal history repositories. The completeness of arrest records may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and subsequent court proceedings.

Expungement of Arrest Records in DeKalb

The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by DeKalb law enforcement agencies. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access and law enforcement databases, while sealing restricts access to authorized entities only.

Eligibility for expungement in DeKalb County is governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which establishes specific criteria that must be met:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for immediate expungement.
Arrests not resulting in charges may be eligible after a specified waiting period.
Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions may qualify for expungement after completion of sentence and applicable waiting periods.
Successful completion of specialized court programs (e.g., drug court, veterans court) may create eligibility for expungement.

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

Obtain certified copies of arrest records and case dispositions from the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk.
Complete and file the appropriate petition forms with the Circuit Court of DeKalb County.
Pay applicable filing fees or request fee waivers if eligible.
Serve copies of the petition to all relevant agencies, including the DeKalb Police Department, DeKalb County State's Attorney, and Illinois State Police.
Attend scheduled court hearings regarding the petition.

If granted, an expungement order requires all agencies to destroy or return records to the petitioner within 60 days, pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(9).

DeKalb County Circuit Clerk
133 W. State Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 895-7131
DeKalb County Circuit Clerk Website

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in DeKalb are generally public, several statutory provisions limit access to certain categories of records. The Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq.) restricts public access to arrest records of minors, with limited exceptions for violent offenses. Law enforcement agencies must maintain juvenile records separately from adult records and limit their dissemination.

Additionally, the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.) governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information. This statute establishes protocols for ensuring accuracy of records and provides remedies for individuals who identify inaccuracies in their criminal history information.

The DeKalb Police Department adheres to these statutory requirements when processing requests for arrest records. Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers
Information pertaining to minors or victims of certain offenses
Medical or mental health information
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Data protected by federal laws such as HIPAA

Requestors seeking arrest records should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record location, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.