Arrest records in Alton, Illinois are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/). This accessibility aligns with Illinois state law, which classifies arrest records as public information subject to certain exemptions. The Illinois Public Records Act ensures that members of the public have the right to access these documents, which are maintained to promote transparency and accountability within the judicial system.
The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with § 7 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information. Juveniles' arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under 705 ILCS 405/1-7.
Members of the public seeking information on Alton arrest records may utilize several official channels as established by municipal and county authorities. The Alton Police Department maintains the primary repository of arrest records within city limits. Individuals may access these records through the following authorized methods:
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval, including:
Pursuant to Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, § 1240.30, fees may apply for record retrieval and reproduction. The standard fee schedule established by the Madison County Board of Commissioners is $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of records.
Official arrest records maintained by the Alton Police Department and the Madison County Circuit Clerk contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, § 1240.50. A complete arrest record typically includes the following components:
The City Clerk of Alton maintains certain administrative records related to arrests but does not house the primary arrest record documentation. Complete criminal history information may require additional requests to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.
The expungement process for arrest records in Alton follows procedures established under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which provides eligible individuals with a mechanism to remove arrest records from public access. Individuals seeking expungement must file a formal petition with the Circuit Court of Madison County where the arrest or subsequent legal proceedings occurred.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Alton include:
The expungement petition process requires:
Upon court approval, the expungement order directs all agencies to seal or destroy records relating to the arrest. The Madison County Circuit Court maintains a satellite location at the Alton City Hall, 101 E. Third St., Alton, IL 62002, where individuals may obtain information about the expungement process.
Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(6), expunged records are removed from public access but may be maintained by law enforcement agencies for limited purposes under seal. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally answer "no" when asked about the expunged arrest on employment applications, with exceptions for certain professions.
Alton Police Department
1700 E. Broadway
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 463-3505
Official Website
Madison County Circuit Clerk
155 N. Main Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 692-6240
Official Website
Alton City Hall
101 E. Third St.
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 463-3500
Official Website