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Jackson County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jackson County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public in Jackson County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies shall be accessible to all citizens to promote transparency and accountability in government operations. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information that may be disclosed without infringing upon personal privacy rights as outlined in § 7(1)(c) of the Act. Members of the public may request these records from the appropriate law enforcement agencies or judicial offices within Jackson County.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. Additionally, the Jackson County Circuit Clerk maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings, which are also accessible to the public with certain limitations regarding sealed or expunged records.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office
1001 Mulberry Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-3822
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jackson County?

Arrest records can be accessed online through various official platforms maintained by Jackson County governmental agencies. The digital availability of these records is in accordance with the Illinois Electronic Records Act (5 ILCS 175/), which facilitates public access to government information through electronic means. The Jackson County Circuit Clerk's office provides an online portal where case information related to arrests can be searched and retrieved.

For comprehensive arrest record searches, the following online resources are available to the public:

  1. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system provides current information on individuals in custody.
  2. The Illinois Department of Corrections offender search database contains information on individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.
  3. The Jackson County court records system allows for searches of criminal cases resulting from arrests.

Pursuant to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/), certain arrest information may be restricted from online access if the records have been expunged or sealed by court order. Users of online systems should be aware that the most current and complete information may require direct contact with the appropriate county agency.

How to Look Up Jackson County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Jackson County, as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 1240. Members of the public seeking arrest information may utilize the following procedures:

  • Submit a formal records request to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in person, by mail, or through their online portal. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.

  • Visit the Jackson County Circuit Court to access criminal case files related to arrests. Court records may be searched by name or case number at public access terminals.

  • Utilize the Illinois State Police Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system for official background checks, which include arrest data from all Illinois counties including Jackson. This requires fingerprint submission and payment of statutory fees as outlined in 20 ILCS 2635/3.

  • Access the Jackson County Records Department for historical arrest records that may have been archived.

Jackson County Circuit Court
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Requestors should note that pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, a reasonable fee may be charged for copying records, and response times are governed by statutory timeframes (typically 5 business days with possible extension).

Contents of a Jackson County Arrest Record

Jackson County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 1240.30. These official documents typically include the following elements:

  • Complete legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
  • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color
  • Residential address at time of arrest (may be redacted in public versions per § 7(1)(b) of FOIA)
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest incident
  • Statutory citations and descriptions of all criminal charges filed
  • Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
  • Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint classification data
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Detention information including bond amount, if applicable
  • Preliminary court appearance date and location

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records maintained by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office adhere to the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) standards for uniformity and completeness.

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5, arrest records must be submitted to the Illinois State Police within 24 hours of the arrest for inclusion in state criminal history repositories. This ensures that Jackson County arrest data is integrated into statewide criminal justice information systems.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jackson County

The expungement process in Jackson County operates under the provisions of the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures for removing arrest records from public access. Individuals may petition for expungement if their case resulted in:

  • Acquittal or dismissal of all charges
  • Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
  • Pardon from the Governor specifically authorizing expungement
  • Other qualifying dispositions as enumerated in § 5.2(b) of the Act

The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Jackson County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must provide certified copies of all relevant court dispositions and pay applicable filing fees (currently $157 for expungement petitions). The State's Attorney's Office, arresting agency, and Illinois State Police have 60 days to file objections to the petition.

If granted, an expungement order requires all agencies to physically destroy or return to the petitioner all arrest records, photographs, and fingerprints related to the case. Electronic records must be permanently obliterated from all databases. Pursuant to recent amendments to the Act, certain cannabis-related arrests qualify for automatic expungement without petition.

Jackson County State's Attorney's Office
1001 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Search Arrest Records in Jackson County

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