>Lake County Arrest Records Online

Lake County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lake County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public in Lake County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Illinois FOIA guarantees that members of the public have the right to access public records without stating a reason for their request. The Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk maintain these records in accordance with state statutes governing public access to government information.

Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records under 5 ILCS 140/7, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. However, the general presumption favors public access to these records as a matter of governmental transparency and accountability.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lake County?

Lake County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Lake County Circuit Court Clerk provides electronic access to court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Additionally, the Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate population report that is updated regularly and available for public viewing.

The online availability of these records is governed by Illinois Supreme Court policies on electronic access to court records and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is typically available online, more detailed records may require formal requests or in-person visits to the appropriate county offices.

Online access to arrest records is provided as a public service, though certain limitations exist regarding the scope and detail of information available through digital platforms compared to records obtained directly from county offices.

How to Look Up Lake County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lake County arrest records in 2025 have multiple avenues available for conducting searches. The following methods are authorized for obtaining these public records:

Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Individuals may visit the clerk's office to request arrest records in person. The office maintains official court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.

Lake County Circuit Court Clerk
18 N County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-3380
19th Judicial Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Lake County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Records Division provides arrest records upon request, subject to applicable fees and identification requirements.

Lake County Sheriff's Office
25 S Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-4000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online Court Records Portal: The 19th Judicial Circuit Court's online portal allows users to search for case information related to arrests.
FOIA Requests: Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3, written requests may be submitted to the appropriate law enforcement agency or the Circuit Court Clerk. Requests must reasonably identify the records sought and may be subject to fees for copying and certification.

Requestors should note that pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, agencies must respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days, though extensions may apply in certain circumstances.

Contents of a Lake County Arrest Record

Lake County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Illinois law and local record-keeping protocols. These official documents typically include the following components:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including Illinois statute citations and classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Booking Data: Booking number, fingerprint identification, photograph (mugshot), and personal property inventory
Case Processing Information: Court case number, scheduled court appearances, bond amount and type, custody status
Disposition Information: Outcome of the case, including any convictions, dismissals, or other resolutions

These records are maintained in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.) and are subject to retention schedules established by the Local Records Commission. The completeness of information may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and the specific agency maintaining the record.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lake County

The expungement process in Lake County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances prescribed by Illinois law. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, individuals may petition for expungement if their case resulted in:

Acquittal or dismissal of charges
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Certain non-conviction dispositions

The petition for expungement must be filed with the Circuit Court of Lake County, where the original case was adjudicated. The process requires:

Completion of the appropriate petition forms available through the Circuit Court Clerk
Payment of filing fees (currently $120 for the first petition and $20 for each additional petition filed simultaneously)
Service of the petition on all relevant agencies, including the State's Attorney and arresting agency
Attendance at a court hearing if objections are filed

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office and arresting agencies have 60 days to file objections to the petition. If granted, the expungement order requires all agencies to physically destroy or return to the petitioner all records related to the arrest.

Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through the 19th Judicial Circuit Court's Access to Justice program, which provides resources for self-represented litigants.

Search Arrest Records in Lake County

Cities

Antioch Grayslake Round Lake Vernon Hills Wauconda Winthrop Harbor