Fayette County Arrest Records

Fayette County, Illinois, arrest records are documents created when law enforcement takes an individual into custody based on the suspicion that they may have committed a crime. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the offense, the arrested suspect may be booked into the Fayette County Jail to be held pending their first bail hearing.

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office generates and maintains arrest records. However, these documents are often connected with other public documents, such as court dockets, jail rosters, and police incident reports. For instance, when charges are filed, the case is docketed and added to the list of criminal cases to be heard by the court for that day. Details from such proceedings are included in the Fayette County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayette County?

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS) has declared that all records held by government agencies are public records, subject to those exemptions provided in the statute or a court declaration. Some information associated with an arrest record is subject to nondisclosure under the law. These include:

• Expunged records and juvenile arrests
• Sensitive personal or medical information
• Ongoing criminal investigations
• Victim or witness identities

For additional inquiries, contact:

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
221 S 7th St,
Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-2141
Fax: (618) 283-5014

Fayette County Arrest Statistics

According to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, Fayette County, Illinois, reported 64 arrests in 2019 for combined violent and property crimes. Estimates suggest that approximately 10–15 of these arrests were for violent crimes, and around 50–55 were for property crimes, including burglary and larceny-theft. In previous years, the county recorded 94 arrests in 2018 and 95 in 2017 for similar offenses, totaling approximately 253 arrests over the three years. It is important to note that individuals may be arrested for multiple crimes. As of the most recent records, the Fayette County Jail typically houses around 19 inmates under local or U.S. Marshals' custody.

Find Fayette County Arrest Records

Fayette County Sheriff's Office:

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office maintains a public log or jail roster that includes current detainees. However, the Sheriff's website does not have an online inmate search section that would enable the roster to be accessed remotely. Consequently, individuals would have to contact or visit the Sheriff's office directly:

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
221 S 7th St,
Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-2141
Fax: (618) 283-5014

Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC):

The Illinois Department of Corrections serves as the official online database for inmates incarcerated in the Illinois state prison system. To use the platform, visit the IDOC website and navigate to "Individuals in Custody" on the website menu. Individuals may usually search by last name, IDOC number, or birthdate. This may help narrow down results, especially if there are familiar names.

Individual in custody information is also available to the general public and private organizations (non-state and governmental) by calling:

Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277 Springfield, IL
Phone: (217) 558-2200

Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator

The Bureau of Prisons' Inmate Locator tool offers convenience to individuals who wish to find records of inmates confined in federal custody. To find an inmate in Fayette County, individuals generally enter specific details that sufficiently identify the incarcerated subject into the search field. These include the inmate's full name, BOP number, FBI number, and other relevant information that may be required.

Fayette County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Fayette County arrest records are official documents that record the apprehension of an individual by a peace officer based on reasonable belief that they may have been involved in a crime. Beyond details reflecting the fact that an arrest occurred, arrest records do not indicate whether the case was prosecuted, the outcome of the court trial, such as conviction or acquittal, or sentencing information. Those details may only be found in a criminal record. A criminal record documents not just the arrest, but the outcome as well. Thus, if charges were dropped or dismissed, someone may have an arrest record without a corresponding criminal record.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Illinois, including Fayette County, arrests typically stay on record permanently unless the subject files for an expungement or sealing. Generally, arrests that may be removed, sealed, or expunged include those that did not result in a conviction or when the prosecution did not file charges. Nevertheless, if an arrest results in a conviction but the sentence is later reversed or the individual receives a pardon, the record may be eligible for an expungement or sealing.

Fayette County Arrest Warrants

A Fayette County arrest warrant is a legal order issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to detain a person suspected of committing a crime. In Fayette County, officers may obtain a warrant by submitting an affidavit showing probable cause. Per Sec. 2.15(a) of the Illinois FOIA, an arrest warrant in Fayette County includes:

• Full name and physical description of the subject
• Description of the alleged offense
• Date and place of issuance
• Judge's signature and title
• Instructions to arrest and detain the individual

Do Fayette County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Fayette County do not have a standard expiration date. Once issued, a warrant remains active until the individual is arrested or the court cancels or recalls the warrant. Sometimes, expiration of the statute of limitations renders a warrant inadmissible. In Fayette County, warrants for serious crimes like felonies may remain in force indefinitely. However, minor offenses may eventually become unenforceable if the statute of limitations runs out.

Expunge Fayette County Arrest Records

Residents of Fayette County may request to expunge or seal their arrest records through the Fayette County, Illinois Circuit Court. After confirming eligibility (arrests without convictions or waiting period elapsed), individuals generally follow these steps for expungement in Fayette County:

• Complete the petition form for expungement
• File the petition with the Fayette County, Illinois Circuit Court.
• Attend a court hearing and present your case before a judge.

If the judge grants the petition, the court notifies all relevant law enforcement agencies, which generally remove or conceal the arrest record within 60 days. If denied, individuals may appeal within 30 days of the decision.