>Livingston County Arrest Records Online

Livingston County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Livingston County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Livingston County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies within Livingston County. The Illinois FOIA operates under the principle that government records should be accessible to promote transparency, accountability, and civic engagement.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties. Members of the public may request these records through established procedures in accordance with § 140/3 of the Illinois FOIA, which states that "each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records."

Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply under § 140/7 of the Act, particularly for ongoing investigations or where disclosure might compromise public safety. However, the presumption under Illinois law favors disclosure, with the burden of demonstrating an exemption falling upon the public body.

Livingston County Sheriff's Office
844 W. Lincoln Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 844-2774
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Livingston County?

Arrest records in Livingston County are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Livingston County Circuit Clerk's Office provides electronic access to court records, which may include information related to arrests when such arrests have resulted in formal charges.

The Illinois Unified Court System has implemented digital access initiatives that allow for remote retrieval of certain judicial records. The Livingston County Law and Justice Center maintains electronic records that may be accessed through designated terminals at the courthouse or through authorized online portals.

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Corrections provides an online inmate search function that includes individuals who have been arrested and subsequently incarcerated in state facilities. This resource is particularly useful for tracking the status of individuals who have progressed through the criminal justice system following an arrest in Livingston County.

Livingston County Circuit Clerk
112 W. Madison Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 844-2602
Official Website

How to Look Up Livingston County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Livingston County arrest records in 2025, several methodologies are available to members of the public. Each method varies in terms of comprehensiveness, accessibility, and associated fees:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Livingston County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) to submit a formal request for arrest records. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search and may be required to complete a standardized form pursuant to county procedures.
Freedom of Information Act Requests: Written FOIA requests may be submitted to the Livingston County FOIA Officer in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/3. Such requests must reasonably identify the records sought and may be subject to applicable fees for reproduction as authorized under § 140/6.
Online County Resources: The Livingston County government website provides access to certain public records, including limited arrest information. Users may navigate to the Sheriff's Office section to access available online resources.
Judicial Case Management System: The Livingston County Circuit Clerk maintains court records that often contain arrest information for cases that have proceeded to formal charging. These records may be accessed through the clerk's electronic case management system.
Illinois State Police Records: For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests, the Illinois State Police maintains a fee-based system for background checks that includes Livingston County data.

Pursuant to Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Part 1240, certain fees may apply for record retrieval and reproduction. These fees are established to recover reasonable costs associated with record production and are subject to periodic adjustment.

Contents of a Livingston County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Livingston County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Part 1240. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and generally include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks or tattoos.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Illinois Compiled Statutes citations and classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor).
Procedural Information: Booking number, fingerprint identification number, and processing details including date and time of booking.
Case Disposition: Initial court appearance information, bail or bond determinations pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/110-1 et seq., and preliminary hearing scheduling.
Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process, typically including front and profile views.
Property Inventory: Itemized list of personal property in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest, and documentation of how such property was handled.
Medical Screening: General health assessment information collected during intake, particularly noting any conditions requiring immediate medical attention.

It should be noted that pursuant to 20 Ill. Admin. Code 1240.30, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information protected under HIPAA, and information related to juvenile offenders.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Livingston County

The expungement of arrest records in Livingston County is governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which establishes procedures for the removal of arrest records from public access. Expungement effectively treats the arrest as if it never occurred, providing significant benefits for individuals seeking employment, housing, or educational opportunities.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Livingston County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases where charges were dismissed
Acquittals or findings of not guilty
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Livingston County Circuit Clerk. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(c), the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. The filing fee for expungement petitions in Livingston County is established by local court rule and may be subject to waiver for indigent petitioners.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the Circuit Clerk forwards copies to the State's Attorney's Office, the arresting agency, and the Illinois State Police. These entities have 60 days to file objections. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections after a hearing, an order of expungement may be granted.

The Livingston County Law and Justice Center processes expungement petitions through its criminal division. Legal assistance for expungement proceedings may be available through Prairie State Legal Services for qualifying low-income residents.

Livingston County Law and Justice Center
110 N. Main Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 844-5776
Official Website