Bureau County Arrest Records

Bureau County arrest records contain information on all arrests conducted within the county. Such records typically contain the arrestee’s personal information, arrest charges, incident and location, and booking date.

Arrests refer to legal procedures for apprehending persons suspected of violating the law. Peace officers may also conduct arrests to prevent a potential crime from happening. Furthermore, officers may detain offenders in the county jail until they are released or arraigned before a court.

In Bureau County, local law enforcement entities generally create arrest records. The agencies also function as record custodians and may release the record to interested parties. For instance, citizens can obtain arrest records from the county sheriff’s office.

Bureau County arrest information is also available in other crime-related public files. For example, arrest information may be accessible in Bureau County court records, inmate databases, and criminal history records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Bureau County?

Yes, most Bureau County arrest records are public documents. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act allows public access to information generated by government entities. Thus, interested parties can inspect or get copies of arrest records from specific agencies. The agencies are required to provide options through which the public can access records.

The Illinois state law exempts the disclosure of certain arrest information. In most cases, the exempted record contains information that is considered confidential or private. Examples of exempt arrest records in Bureau County include the following:

• Arrest information that jeopardizes the safety of law enforcement personnel.
• Records that may disclose the identity of confidential sources, complainants, or victims.
• Documents that may interfere with pending or ongoing law enforcement proceedings
• Documents that may disclose specialized investigation techniques utilized by law enforcement agencies
• Documents that may deprive a person of an impartial or fair hearing

Bureau County Arrest Statistics

According to the Illinois State Police, Bureau County’s arresting agencies made a total of 91 arrests in 2021. The agencies made arrests for crimes against lives, properties, and society.

In contrast, the Bureau County jail housed 58 inmates as of September 30, 2024.

Find Bureau County Arrest Records

Interested persons or entities can find Bureau County arrest records by using resources or options maintained by government entities. For instance, the county sheriff’s office allows in-person access to arrest records in their custody. To obtain arrest records, interested parties must submit an in-person request to the agency during open hours at:

Bureau County Board
Bureau County Court House
700 South Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356

Alternatively, interested parties can look up arrest information in inmate records. The records are accessible through online repositories. For instance, the Illinois Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate database for offenders in the state’s correctional facilities. To view records, users must provide relevant search information in the database.

You can also find arrest information through the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator. The online repository maintains records of persons held in federal penal institutions. Users must input the inmate name or prison number to view records on the platform.

Bureau County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Bureau County arrest records are different from criminal records in the following ways:

They contain different information

Citizens will only find arrest-related data in arrest records. The record may include the arrestee’s name, aliases, address, physical features, mugshot, charges, incident date and location, physical evidence, and booking information. However, criminal records contain an individual's criminal history, including arrest, court, and incarceration information.

The record creation process is different.

Arresting agencies create arrest records by collecting information during or after an arrest event. The agency may also function as a record custodian of arrest information. In contrast, the Illinois State Police generates criminal records by collecting information from arresting agencies, courts, and correctional centers.

The records have different social implications

Criminal records may lead to discrimination in certain industries or communities. For instance, persons convicted of violent felonies or sex crimes may face discrimination in their local communities. However, arrest records do not cause such negative effects since they do not contain information on criminal convictions.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Bureau County, arrest information will permanently remain visible in public record until they are expunged or sealed. You can expunge arrest records by filing a petition with the county circuit clerk’s office. Note that you can only expunge arrest records that did not lead to a conviction. Furthermore, the state laws prevent the expungement of the following crimes:

• Reckless driving
• Sex crimes that involve a minor
• Driving under the influence.

Who is eligible to expunge arrest records in Bureau County?

You can legally expunge Bureau County arrest records under these conditions:

• You have no pending criminal charges
• The waiting period for expungement has passed
• You have completed the court-mandated sentence, probation, or parole
• The arrest charges are eligible for expunction under state or federal laws
• You are an honorably discharged veteran with a certificate of eligibility for expungement

Bureau County Arrest Warrants

Bureau County arrest warrants are court documents that authorize the arrests of persons named in the document. Court judges issue warrants upon receiving a complaint or affidavit from an arresting officer. The complaint must provide evidence that the defendant violated the law.

Arrest warrants issued in Bureau County must include:

• The defendant’s name, aliases, known address, and physical features like body markings, ethnicity, and gender.
• Arrest charges
• The arresting agency’s name and address
• Warrant document number
• Warrant issuance date.
• The court official’s name and signature

Do Bureau County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Bureau County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active unless the defendant is arrested or the court nullifies them. Note that the statute of limitation does not affect the validity of an arrest warrant. Interested parties can look up active arrest warrants through the ISP’s online wanted list. The county sheriff’s office may also keep records of warrants issued in the county.