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Alton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Alton, Illinois?

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:

Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
Supporting public safety through information dissemination
Maintaining judicial transparency as required by Illinois statute
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes

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.

How to Look Up Alton Arrest Records in 2025

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:

Submitting a written request to the Records Division of the Alton Police Department located at 1700 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002
Utilizing the Madison County Circuit Clerk's online court records search for cases that have been processed through the court system
Appearing in person at the Madison County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Accessing public terminals at the Alton Public Library, 326 Belle St, Alton, IL 62002

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval, including:

Full name of the subject
Approximate date of arrest
Case number (if known)
Date of birth (to distinguish between individuals with similar names)

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.

Contents of an Alton Arrest Record

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:

Subject's full legal name and documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed
Identification of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected according to Illinois State Police protocols
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and distinguishing physical characteristics
Case disposition information if available
Bond information including type and amount
Court appearance dates and locations
Detention facility information if applicable

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.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Alton

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:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi
Arrests not resulting in charges (must wait 60 days after arrest date)
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation (waiting periods vary by offense)
Certain non-violent felony convictions after applicable waiting periods
Cannabis offenses eligible under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act

The expungement petition process requires:

Filing the petition with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Madison County Courthouse, 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Payment of filing fees (currently $157 for each case number, with fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Service of the petition on the Alton Police Department, Madison County State's Attorney, and Illinois State Police
Attendance at a judicial hearing if objections are filed by any agency

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.

Search Arrest Records in Alton

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