Arrest records in McHenry County, Illinois are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is mandated by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/), which ensures government records, including arrest records, remain available for public inspection. The Illinois FOIA promotes transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials by allowing citizens to access various documents maintained by public agencies.
Pursuant to Illinois state law, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county must maintain arrest records and make them available upon proper request. These records document the formal taking into custody of individuals suspected of criminal activity and form part of the official documentation of the criminal justice process in McHenry County.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as specified under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, including information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.
McHenry County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The McHenry County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup system that allows the public to search for current inmates and recent arrests. This digital accessibility aligns with the county's commitment to governmental transparency and public information access.
The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court of McHenry County maintains an online case information system where members of the public may search for court cases related to arrests. This system provides basic information about criminal proceedings, including case numbers, charges, and scheduled court dates.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:
• Records may not be immediately available following an arrest • Some information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws • Certain cases, particularly those involving juveniles or sealed records, may not appear in online databases • Technical limitations may occasionally affect the availability of online records
Users of online arrest record systems should note that the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an official court record. For certified copies of arrest records, individuals must contact the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office directly.
Members of the public seeking McHenry County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
McHenry County Sheriff's Office 2200 N. Seminary Avenue Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 338-2144 McHenry County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and arrest reports. Requestors may submit a FOIA request in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), by mail, or through the department's online FOIA request portal.
McHenry County Circuit Clerk 2200 N. Seminary Avenue Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 334-4190 McHenry County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests. Public terminals are available for searching case information Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online Search Methods:
• The McHenry County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup system provides information on current inmates and recent arrests • The Judicial Circuit Court's online case access system allows searches by name or case number • Third-party public record aggregators may compile arrest information, though these sources may not be officially endorsed by McHenry County agencies
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information, including the full name of the subject and, if possible, the date of birth or approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, agencies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days, though this period may be extended under certain circumstances.
McHenry County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records typically include the following elements:
• Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases • Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race) • Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks • Date, time, and location of the arrest • Arresting agency and officer identification • Enumeration of criminal charges with corresponding Illinois statute citations • Booking photograph ("mugshot") • Fingerprint impressions collected during processing • Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency • Custody status information (released on bond, detained, etc.)
In accordance with Illinois law, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:
• Social Security numbers • Driver's license numbers • Biometric identifiers other than fingerprints • Medical information • Information that would compromise ongoing investigations • Information related to juvenile subjects (pursuant to 705 ILCS 405/)
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records in compliance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/) which establishes retention schedules for various categories of law enforcement records. Standard arrest records are typically retained for a minimum of five years, though records related to more serious offenses may be maintained for longer periods.
The expungement process in McHenry County allows eligible individuals to petition for the removal of arrest records from public access. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, certain arrest records may qualify for expungement or sealing under Illinois law. The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court of McHenry County processes these petitions in accordance with state statutes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in McHenry County include:
• Arrests that did not lead to formal charges • Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal • Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation • Certain non-violent convictions after applicable waiting periods • First-time offenders in specific offense categories
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies, and the Illinois State Police have the right to object to expungement petitions within 60 days of notification. If no objections are filed, the court may grant the expungement without a formal hearing.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to remove records from their databases and physical files. Pursuant to Illinois law, expunged records are not available for public inspection and the individual may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest in most circumstances.
Individuals seeking expungement assistance may contact:
McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office 2200 N. Seminary Avenue Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 334-4190
Prairie State Legal Services - Woodstock Office 5320 W. Bull Valley Road McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 344-9113