Knox County Arrest Records

Under the Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure (725 ILCS 5/107-2), arrests in Knox County are made when a court has issued an arrest warrant or when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. In most cases, inmates are held in the Knox County jail, a detention facility managed by the Knox County Sheriff's Office or the municipal Police department, and are part of the individual's criminal history.

These records form part of Knox County public records, which also include Knox County Court Records. The court records contain information about the case proceedings and outcomes, which may provide additional context to arrest records.

Under the criminal code, a booking and processing session follows an arrest in Knox County, where information pertaining to the arrest and the arrested person is recorded and documented. Thus documented, these records serve as the arrest records and become part of the criminal records if the arrested person is eventually convicted. The information to be recorded includes the following:

• The name and physical description of the arrested person.
• The charges to which the individual was arrested.
• The details of the arrest include the date, time, and location of the arrest.
• The arrested individual’s mugshots and fingerprints.
• The applicable bail details.
• The arresting agency and officer's name

Are Arrest Records Public in Knox County?

In Illinois, most arrest records are considered public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) -5 ILCS 140. This law allows citizens to request access to public records, including those related to arrests. However, some exceptions apply, such as:

• Per the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630), Arrests that have been sealed or expunged are not available for public disclosure.
• Juvenile arrests are also exempted from public disclosure (Juvenile Court acts 1987 - 705 1LCS 405)
• Records related to active investigations OR records that could jeopardize individual privacy or safety may be made unavailable to the public under Section 7 of FOIA (5 ILCS 140/7).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Apart from sensitive details like social security numbers or personal contact information that are not made public under FOIA exemptions, public arrest records in Knox County generally include the following:

• Personal details of the arrested individual, such as name and date of birth.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Arrested person's physical description.
• Charges filed.
• Arresting officer or agency.
• Booking and releasing information (if applicable).
• Case number.

Knox County Arrest Statistics

Arrest statistics for Knox County are available through both local law enforcement and the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. According to the most recent UCR data, Knox County reported a total of 1,232 arrests in the last year, with a significant percentage related to drug-related offenses and Drinking under the influence (DUIs). Arrests for assault and battery made up approximately 15% of violent crimes, while theft and burglary accounted for 25% of property crimes. The remaining arrests were associated with misdemeanors, probation, violations, and other lower-level offenses.

Find Knox County Arrest Records

To find arrest records in Knox County, there are several state and federal resources available:

• Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Inmate Search, an online tool that allows users to search for individuals incarcerated in state prisons
• Knox County Jail Inmate Lookup is also available through the Knox County Sheriff's Office website and provides information about individuals currently held in county jail.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator is also available for individuals incarcerated in federal facilities.
• For local searches, individuals may visit

Knox county sheriff's office

152 South Kellogg Street,
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: (309) 345-3733

Free Arrest Record Search in Knox County

Knox County offers several free resources for searching arrest records.

• Individuals may submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Knox County Sheriff's Office to access public records without any cost. Except for potential small fees for document copies.
• Additionally, the Knox County Circuit Clerk's Office may provide access to court records that include arrest information.
• Third party websites also offer free arrest record searches but their information may not always be as accurate as official sources.

Knox County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The distinction between arrest records and criminal records is significant. Arrest records only document the event of an arrest and the initial charges filed, while Criminal records contain a more comprehensive history, including final convictions, sentencing, and any dismissed or reduced charges. Criminal records contain arrest records, are maintained by the Knox County Clerk of Courts, and are available to the public unless exempted, sealed, or expunged.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Illinois, arrest records typically remain on a person's record indefinitely unless expunged or sealed under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630). Arrests that do not lead to a conviction or are for minor offenses may be eligible for expungement. However, convictions generally cannot be expunged and may only be sealed under specific conditions.

Expunge Knox County Arrest Records

Expungement allows for the complete removal of an arrest record from public view, making it as if the arrest never occurred. In Knox County, the process of expungement is governed by the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (30 ILCS 2630/5.2). Here is how an arrest record may be expunged or sealed.

• Eligibility requirements
  • You were arrested but not convicted because charges were dropped, acquitted, or dismissed).
  • You completed a qualified diversion program or supervision.
  • Certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies may be eligible for sealing after a waiting period.
  • There must be no ongoing criminal cases against you.
• Process
  • You must file a petition for expungement or sealing with the Knox Circuit Court. The petition must be completed accurately, and any supporting documents must be attached.
  • A filing fee applies, though a fee waiver may be requested based on financial circumstances.
  • The State’s attorney's office has the right to object to the expungement or sealing. If an objection is raised, the court will hold a hearing.
  • If the court approves your petition, the arrest record will be expunged or sealed. The process typically takes a few months from the date of filing.
• Office contact information
  • Knox County Circuit Court Clerk
    200 S Cherry St,
    Galesburg, IL 61401
    Phone: (309) 345-3859

Once the record is expunged, all public access to the arrest will be removed, and most background checks will not show the arrest. However, the records may be accessible to law enforcement agencies for official reasons only.

Knox County Arrest Warrants

Per 725 ILCS 5/107-9, arrest warrants in Knox County are legal documents issued by the court when there is probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime. These warrants allow law enforcement to detain the individual named in the warrant. Warrants typically include:

• The name of the individual.
• The alleged offense.
• The issuing judge's signature.
• The date of issuance.
• Restrictions on the arrest (jurisdictional limits).

Warrants are issued for various reasons, including failure to appear in court, violation of Probation, or new criminal charges.

Do Knox County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Knox County do not generally expire. Once issued, a warrant remains active until the person is arrested or the court recalls the warrant. However, the pursuit of an arrest may be prioritized based on the seriousness of the offense or changes in law enforcement resources.