Jefferson County Arrest Records

In Jefferson County, arrest records are documents generated after incidents of arrests. They provide historical accounts of people's apprehension and confinement in the region.

Members of the public may look up arrest records to determine where defendants are being held, the nature of their alleged crimes, and the conditions for their release pending trial. People may also need their arrest information for expungement petitions.

Law enforcement agencies primarily create and maintain arrest records. However, certain details, such as bail and bond information, can also be found in Jefferson County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County?

Yes. Jefferson County arrest records are accessible to the public under 5 ILCS 140/ (the Illinois Freedom of Information Act). The Act instructs law enforcement agencies to release most records upon request. The Illinois Court Records and Document Accessibility Act (7O5 ILCS 86/) also allows the public to access criminal court records, which may include arrest details.

Notwithstanding, some arrest records are restricted from public access. These include information tied to ongoing investigations, juvenile arrest records, personal identification numbers, financial records, medical information, and sealed records. Admittedly, confidential records can be disclosed to certain entities, such as law enforcement agencies, courts, and record subjects.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records generated in Jefferson County contain the following information per 5 ILCS 140/2.15:

• Name, photograph, age, and address of an arrested individual
• Charge(s)/offense(s)
• Arrest date, time, and location
• Arresting agency
• Date the individual was detained
• Detention facility
• Custody status
• Release details

Jefferson County Arrest Statistics

According to the Illinois State Police's Arrest Distribution Report, Jefferson County law enforcement agencies made 26 arrests in 2023. Six were for simple assault, four for breaking and entering, and three for property destruction/damage/vandalism.

On the other hand, the 2022 data shows 166 total arrests made in Jefferson County, where 13 were recorded for driving under the influence, four for disorderly conduct, and four for trespass of real property.

Find Jefferson County Arrest Records

Records related to recent arrests can be found by approaching the arresting agency or the county jail. For arrests within the county, one can visit or call the Mount Vernon Police Department. If a deputy handled the arrest, individuals can contact the Sheriff's Office instead. The Sheriff's Office also manages the county jail, which holds recent arrestees and individuals on trial. The office dispenses details about inmates online and in person. Interested inquirers can search for inmate information using the Sheriff's mobile app.

If a person is convicted of a serious crime after their arrest, they will be in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. One can use the department's Individual in Custody Search system to determine an inmate's location, the offenses for which they are serving time, personal details (date of birth, physical descriptions, race, etc.), and sentencing information (admission and release dates). It should be noted that law enforcement records may show different arrest offenses than what is displayed in the IDOC's records. That is because the IDOC only provides offenses for which inmates were found guilty.

Apart from local and state law enforcement, interested parties can approach federal agencies that may have executed arrests in Jefferson County. Some agencies, like the FBI, often release indictments detailing the nature of the arrested person's crimes before taking alleged offenders into custody. However, arrest records may not be released where investigations are still ongoing.

Moreover, one can use the Bureau of Prisons Federal Inmate Locator system to find where federal inmates are being held and other details like an inmate's name, age, race, and register number. Interested parties can also submit FOIA requests for more information.

If the person were taken into custody by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one can access the agency's Online Detainee Locator System. The system requires an arrested person's A-number or name and country of birth.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jefferson County

Free online utilities for accessing information on people arrested in Jefferson County include the Federal Inmate Search utility, ICE's Online Detainee Locator System, the IDOC's Offender Search portal, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's mobile app.

At the same time, one can access the state judiciary's case search system for free to search court records for information like a defendant's personal details, their offense, and the arresting officer. While court records only contain charges filed by prosecutors, they provide insights into the person's journey through the criminal justice system.

Moreover, people can also use online resources provided by third-party vendors to view arrest records without cost. These vendors are independent organizations that disseminate public records collated from various government sources.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. A person's arrests remain public until a court orders an expungement or sealing. Such orders are usually issued after subjects submit petitions for expungement. However, records of certain offenses like juvenile crimes and cannabis violations can be automatically expunged once it is determined that a subject is eligible. People who were convicted of serious felonies like murder and sexual assault cannot expunge their records.

Expunge Jefferson County Arrest Records

Illinois law allows courts to issue expungement orders that destroy arrest records. Once expunged, such records can no longer be retrieved. However, one can seal their arrest records if they do not qualify for expungement.

The sealing process only restricts public access but allows retrieval by law enforcement and other agencies for criminal justice purposes. Further, certain employers, government bodies, and private entities permitted by law can view sealed arrest and criminal records. For example, private employers cannot view sealed misdemeanor records but can access sealed felony records where the individual was convicted.

People can expunge their arrest records if the following is true:

• Charges were dismissed, or the petitioner was released without being charged
• The criminal trial ended in acquittal
• A conviction was overturned
• A court-ordered supervision or probation was completed successfully

To expunge arrest records, eligible petitioners must obtain copies of their arrest and criminal records, fill out the expungement or sealing form (available on the Illinois Judiciary's website), file the petition with the Howell County Circuit Court, and pay the required filing fees.

Jefferson County Arrest Warrants

Jefferson County arrest records are legal orders commanding police officers to arrest people accused of breaking the law. Judges issue these orders after hearing or reviewing criminal complaints from law enforcement. Judges can also release arrest warrants (called bench warrants) for people who failed to attend court or obey judicial orders, such as completing community service, fulfilling child support obligations, or paying fines for traffic violations.

Each arrest warrant lists the accused person's name or physical description, specifies the location where the warrant is to be executed, outlines the alleged charges or offenses, and specifies the conditions for the person's release. The issuing judge's signature will also be included in the warrant.

People can visit or contact the local Sheriff's Office to inquire about Jefferson County arrest warrants. Interested parties can also search court records using methods provided by the circuit clerk's office to find arrest warrant information.

Do Jefferson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants only expire after the individual named on the document turns themselves in or law enforcement takes them into custody. Nevertheless, judges can quash a warrant when new evidence exonerates a defendant or an accused person fulfills their underlying obligation.