New Lenox Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in New Lenox, Illinois?
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.
How to Look Up New Lenox Arrest Records in 2025
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:
- Visit the New Lenox Police Department Records Division during regular business hours
- Present valid government-issued identification
- Complete a FOIA request form specifying the records sought
- Pay applicable copying fees as established by municipal ordinance
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:
- The Will County Circuit Clerk maintains an online portal for case information
- Records may be searched by name, case number, or filing date
- Basic case information is available without registration
- Detailed documents may require registration and payment of access fees
Written Requests:
- Submit a formal FOIA request by mail to the New Lenox Police Department
- Include specific information about the arrest record being requested
- Provide contact information for response delivery
- Allow 5 business days for processing as required by 5 ILCS 140/3(d)
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).
Contents of a New Lenox Arrest Record
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:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Case number assigned by the arresting agency
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/107-9
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Probable cause statement describing circumstances of arrest
- Initial appearance information including bond amount if applicable
- Disposition of the case if available
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:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Biometric identifiers other than required booking photographs
- Medical information
- Information pertaining to juvenile subjects
- Details that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Expungement of Arrest Records in New Lenox
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:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal are generally eligible for immediate expungement
- Arrests not resulting in charges may be expunged after a waiting period
- Certain non-conviction outcomes require a 2-5 year waiting period
- Successful completion of specialized court programs may qualify for expungement
- Certain felony convictions became eligible for sealing under expanded 2017 legislation
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Circuit Court of Will County. Petitioners must:
- Obtain a certified disposition for each case seeking expungement
- Complete the standardized petition form established by the Illinois Supreme Court
- Pay filing fees (currently $157 for Will County) unless granted a fee waiver
- Serve copies of the petition on all agencies holding records
- Attend a judicial hearing if objections are filed
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.
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