>Jo Daviess County Arrest Records Online

Jo Daviess County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jo Daviess County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction. The Illinois FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public may request access to these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or general information gathering. The public nature of these records serves the state's interest in maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations and accountability to the citizenry.

Certain limitations may apply to the disclosure of arrest information in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure might compromise public safety. These exceptions are narrowly construed in accordance with § 7 of the Illinois FOIA.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jo Daviess County?

Jo Daviess County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website, allowing for remote retrieval of public safety data.

The county's implementation of digital record-keeping systems has expanded public access capabilities in accordance with the Illinois Electronic Records Act (5 ILCS 175/). This legislation facilitates the electronic maintenance and distribution of government records, including those related to law enforcement activities.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the same statutory limitations that govern physical records. The electronic availability of these records does not alter their legal status or the applicable exemptions under Illinois law. The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office maintains oversight of the digital dissemination of arrest information to ensure compliance with privacy protections while fulfilling public disclosure obligations.

How to Look Up Jo Daviess County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Jo Daviess County arrest records in 2025. Pursuant to Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 5 § 140/3, public bodies must make records promptly available upon request. The following methods are available for record retrieval:

Submit a formal FOIA request to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office, either in person, by mail, or through their electronic submission system.
Access the Jo Daviess County online services portal, which provides a searchable database of public records including arrest information.
Visit the Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk's Office to review court records associated with arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Utilize the Illinois Statewide Automated Criminal History Records Information System (I-CLEAR) for comprehensive criminal history information, accessible through authorized terminals.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate accurate record retrieval, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current administrative workload.

Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office
330 North Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-2141
Official Website

Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk
Jo Daviess County Courthouse
330 North Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-0137
Official Website

Contents of a Jo Daviess County Arrest Record

Jo Daviess County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 1240. These official documents serve as the legal record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
Unique identifiers such as state identification numbers and FBI numbers when applicable
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprint classification and mugshot photographs
Custody status and bail determination
Case disposition information if available

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records pertaining to felony arrests typically contain more extensive documentation than those for misdemeanor offenses.

All arrest records maintained by Jo Daviess County conform to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/) regarding the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jo Daviess County

The expungement process in Jo Daviess County operates under the authority of the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), which establishes procedures for the removal of arrest records from public access. Eligible individuals may petition the Jo Daviess County Courthouse for expungement under specific statutory conditions.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Arrests resulting in release without charging
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods

The petition process requires submission of standardized forms to the Circuit Clerk's Office, payment of filing fees (currently $157), and notification to all agencies maintaining the records. The State's Attorney's Office has the right to object to expungement petitions within 60 days of filing.

Upon judicial approval, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from their databases and physical files. The Illinois State Police, local law enforcement agencies, and the FBI receive copies of the expungement order for implementation.

Expunged records are sealed from public view but may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances as specified in § 5.2(d)(8) of the Criminal Identification Act.

Jo Daviess County Courthouse
330 North Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-0137
Official Website