Arrest records are public documents in New Lenox, Illinois, accessible to all members of the public under state transparency laws. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/) establishes the legal framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made within New Lenox municipal boundaries. This statute affirms that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and official acts of public officials and employees. The Will County Circuit Court maintains jurisdiction over criminal cases originating in New Lenox, and these records become part of the public record upon filing.
The New Lenox Police Department, as a public agency, is required by law to maintain arrest records and make non-exempt information available for public inspection. Pursuant to Illinois state law, certain identifying information contained in arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests while still maintaining the public nature of the record itself. The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/) further governs the dissemination of criminal history record information throughout the state, including New Lenox.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are public, they merely indicate that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Illinois law, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in New Lenox, Illinois. The Will County Circuit Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of court records related to arrests within county jurisdiction. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:
In-Person Requests:
New Lenox Police Department
701 W. Haven Avenue
New Lenox, IL 60451
(815) 462-6100
New Lenox Police Department
Will County Circuit Clerk
14 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Will County Circuit Clerk
Electronic Access:
Written Requests:
Pursuant to Illinois law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction and certification. Fee waivers may be available for requests made in the public interest as defined in 5 ILCS 140/6(c).
Standard arrest records maintained by the New Lenox Police Department contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. These records typically include the following elements as mandated by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 1240:
The Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Act (50 ILCS 709/) requires law enforcement agencies, including the New Lenox Police Department, to collect and report specific data elements for each arrest. These standardized records ensure consistency across jurisdictions while maintaining compliance with state reporting requirements.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in 5 ILCS 140/7, including:
The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2) provides a legal mechanism for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access and, when granted, requires all agencies to physically destroy or return all records to the petitioner.
Eligibility Criteria:
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Circuit Court of Will County. Petitioners must:
Will County State's Attorney's Office
121 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8453
Will County State's Attorney
Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(6), the State's Attorney's Office has 60 days to file objections to expungement petitions. If no objections are filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. If granted, the clerk of the court forwards the order to all relevant agencies, which must comply within 60 days of receipt.
Individuals with arrest records in New Lenox should note that expungement is a legal remedy distinct from executive clemency (pardon), which must be sought through the Illinois Prisoner Review Board for conviction records ineligible for judicial expungement.