>Pike County Arrest Records Online

Pike County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pike County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Pike County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests. The Illinois FOIA operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest and promotes accountability of public officials and institutions.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Pike County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction. These records document official actions taken by law enforcement personnel in the course of their duties. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of governmental activities
Providing necessary information for background checks and other legitimate inquiries
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exemptions provided in § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pike County?

Pike County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital records varies. The Pike County government maintains certain public records in digital format, including selected arrest information. Online accessibility of these records is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and related statutes concerning public records.

Digital access to arrest records may be obtained through:

The Pike County Sheriff's Office online portal
The Pike County Circuit Clerk's electronic case management system
Third-party aggregators of public records (though these may not contain complete or current information)

Pursuant to Illinois law, certain arrest information may be restricted from online access, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sealed records, or matters under active investigation. The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.) establishes parameters for the dissemination of criminal history record information, including limitations on what may be made available through electronic means.

How to Look Up Pike County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Pike County arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information should utilize the following authorized methods:

Pike County Sheriff's Office
301 E. Adams Street
Pittsfield, IL 62363
(217) 285-5011
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Records may be requested in person with proper identification. The Sheriff's Office maintains a public terminal for searching basic arrest information.
Pike County Courthouse
100 E. Washington Street
Pittsfield, IL 62363
(217) 285-6612
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Circuit Clerk's Office provides access to court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Illinois State Police
Records requests may be submitted to the Illinois State Police for statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Pike County. Fingerprint-based searches provide the most comprehensive results.
FOIA Requests
Written requests may be submitted under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and comply with agency-specific FOIA procedures.
Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search
For individuals who were arrested and subsequently incarcerated, the IDOC maintains a searchable database of current and former inmates.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for record searches and copies, as authorized under § 6 of the Illinois FOIA. Fee schedules are established by each agency and must reflect actual costs of record reproduction.

Contents of a Pike County Arrest Record

Pike County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals by law enforcement agencies. These records typically include the following components as mandated by Illinois statutes and administrative regulations:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and other identifying characteristics of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency making the arrest
Offense Information: Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged violations; classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, etc.)
Booking Data: Fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), and other processing information
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release on bond, or other pre-trial custody arrangements
Case Disposition: Initial court appearances, preliminary hearing outcomes, and other early procedural developments
Agency Identifiers: Case numbers, incident report numbers, and other administrative reference information

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/2.1, law enforcement agencies must submit specific arrest data to the Illinois State Police within established timeframes. This information becomes part of the statewide criminal history record information system, portions of which are accessible to the public under controlled circumstances.

The Illinois Criminal Identification Act establishes protocols for the accuracy, security, and appropriate dissemination of arrest record information. Agencies maintaining these records must adhere to statutory requirements regarding record retention, correction procedures, and authorized disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pike County

The expungement and sealing of arrest records in Pike County follows procedures established under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). Expungement constitutes the physical destruction of records and removal from public indices, while sealing limits access to specified entities while maintaining the records.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of Pike County arrest records include:

Arrests resulting in release without charging
Arrests resulting in dismissed charges or acquittals
Arrests resulting in successful completion of supervision, qualified probation, or certain first-offender programs
Arrests for specified non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods

The expungement process requires:

Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Circuit Clerk of Pike County
Payment of filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Service of the petition on all relevant agencies, including the State's Attorney and arresting agency
Attendance at a judicial hearing if objections are filed
Issuance of an Order for Expungement if granted by the court

Upon receipt of an expungement order, agencies must comply within 60 days by destroying physical records and removing electronic entries from publicly accessible databases. The Illinois State Police maintains a process for verifying compliance with expungement orders.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain entities, including law enforcement agencies and the Illinois Department of Corrections, may retain access to sealed records for specified purposes pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/12.