>McLean County Arrest Records Online

McLean County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in McLean County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public in McLean County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that arrest information constitutes public record and must be made available to members of the general public upon request. The Illinois FOIA supports governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records of law enforcement activities within the county. The McLean County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies maintain these records in accordance with state statutes governing public information disclosure.

Individuals seeking arrest records may obtain them through various official channels established by McLean County governmental agencies. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations while providing citizens with access to information regarding criminal proceedings within their community.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in McLean County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in McLean County through several official digital platforms. The McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains a public access system that allows citizens to search for court records, including those related to arrests, dating back to 1991. This system permits searches by name, case number, or name and date of birth.

The McLean County Sheriff's Office publishes a regularly updated Sheriff's Blotter containing recent arrest and incident reports. This digital resource provides information on recent law enforcement activities within the county jurisdiction.

Additionally, the McLean County Circuit Clerk's Public Access System offers a dedicated portal for searching criminal cases, which includes arrest-related information. Users should note that when performing background checks, the system requires awareness of potential name changes that may have occurred during legal proceedings.

How to Look Up McLean County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in McLean County may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The following options are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Online Search: Citizens may access the McLean County Court Records Search system, which provides comprehensive access to arrest records and related court documents. This platform allows searches by name, case number, or date of birth.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the following locations to submit requests in person:

McLean County Sheriff's Office
104 W. Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5034
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office
104 W. Front Street, Room 404
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
Mail Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to either of the above addresses. Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought.
FOIA Requests: Formal Freedom of Information Act requests may be submitted through the McLean County Police Records portal, which provides access to records from the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, and McLean County Sheriff.

For each record check within the Criminal or Traffic divisions, a $6.00 record check fee is charged per year, per person to be searched, as specified in the Public Record Check guidelines.

Contents of a McLean County Arrest Record

McLean County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Illinois state law. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Detailed description of charges filed, including applicable Illinois statutes
Booking agency and arresting officer information
Booking photograph (mugshot) of the individual
Fingerprint records collected during processing
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Residential address at time of arrest
Case disposition information, if available
Bond information, including amount set and payment status
Court appearance dates and locations
Detention facility information, if applicable

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the specific law enforcement agency involved in the arrest. Records maintained by the McLean County Sheriff's Office adhere to the standards established by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and the Illinois State Police.

Expungement of Arrest Records in McLean County

Under Illinois law (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), certain individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in McLean County. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access, while sealing restricts access to law enforcement and certain authorized entities.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in McLean County include:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the McLean County Circuit Court. Petitioners must:

Obtain certified copies of arrest records from the arresting agency
Complete the Petition for Expungement form
File the petition with the Circuit Clerk's Office at 104 W. Front Street, Room 404, Bloomington, IL 61701
Pay the required filing fee of $120 (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Attend the scheduled court hearing

The State's Attorney's Office, arresting agency, and Illinois State Police have the right to object to the petition within 60 days of filing. If granted, the expungement order requires all relevant agencies to remove or destroy records pertaining to the arrest.

Individuals with questions regarding eligibility may contact:

McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office
104 W. Front Street, Room 404
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in McLean County

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Bloomington Normal