>St. Clair County Arrest Records Online

St. Clair County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Clair County, Illinois?

Arrest records in St. Clair County, Illinois are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring government transparency by mandating that records maintained by public bodies remain available for public inspection and copying. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety as outlined in § 7 of the Act.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Clair County may submit requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency or the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office. The Illinois Public Access Counselor, operating under the Office of the Attorney General, provides oversight to ensure compliance with FOIA requirements and may review denied requests pursuant to § 9.5 of the Act.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal interests, including:

Promoting accountability within the criminal justice system
Enabling informed public discourse on law enforcement practices
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes
Supporting journalistic and academic research on criminal justice trends

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in St. Clair County?

St. Clair County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's online portal provides public access to criminal case information, including arrest data. This digital resource operates in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court guidelines on electronic access to court records.

The online system allows users to search for records using:

Defendant name
Case number
Arrest date parameters
Charge classification

Pursuant to Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Subchapter e, Part 1240, certain information within arrest records may be redacted from online versions to protect privacy interests while maintaining the public nature of the records. Such redactions typically include Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain personal identifiers.

Digital access to arrest records is available 24 hours per day, though system maintenance may occasionally restrict availability. Technical support for the online system is provided by the Circuit Clerk's Information Technology department during regular business hours.

How to Look Up St. Clair County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking St. Clair County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple methods established under Illinois law and county procedures. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility.

In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the following locations:

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220
(618) 825-2334
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

St. Clair County Sheriff's Department
700 North 5th Street
Belleville, IL 62220
(618) 277-3505
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Online Access: The St. Clair County Court Records Database provides 24-hour access to arrest information. Users must register for an account and may be subject to nominal fees for certain detailed reports as established by county ordinance.

Written Requests: Written FOIA requests may be submitted to the Records Custodian at either the Circuit Clerk's Office or Sheriff's Department. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3, agencies must respond to requests within 5 business days, with possible extension under specific circumstances outlined in the statute.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with § 6 of the Illinois FOIA, though the first 50 pages of black and white copies are provided at no charge.

Contents of a St. Clair County Arrest Record

St. Clair County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Part 4020 and local record-keeping protocols. These documents serve as the official record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during the arrest process.

Standard information included in St. Clair County arrest records:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking information including fingerprints and photographs
Initial appearance information and bail determination
Case number assigned by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court

Arrest records may also contain supplementary information such as property inventories, medical screening results, and initial statements. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with exemptions outlined in 5 ILCS 140/7.

The Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Act (50 ILCS 709/5-10) requires law enforcement agencies to maintain comprehensive arrest data and report statistical information to the Illinois State Police. This ensures standardization of arrest record content across jurisdictions within the state.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Clair County

The expungement process in St. Clair County operates under the authority of the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), which establishes procedures for removing eligible arrest records from public access. Expungement effectively erases the record as if the arrest never occurred.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Clair County include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
Arrests not resulting in charges
Successful completion of supervision for qualifying offenses
Certain non-violent convictions after applicable waiting periods
Cannabis offenses eligible under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the St. Clair County Circuit Court using standardized forms available through the Illinois Courts website. The petition must be served on all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the State's Attorney's Office, arresting agency, and Illinois State Police.

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d), agencies have 60 days to file objections to the petition. If no objections are filed, the court may grant the expungement without a hearing. If objections are raised, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether expungement serves the interests of justice.

The Office of the State Appellate Defender provides resources to assist individuals navigating the expungement process, including eligibility information and self-help guides.