McDonough County Arrest Records

McDonough County arrest records are a collection of records set aside to document the details of detentions in the county. These records feature information about individuals detained, the grounds for their arrest, and the corresponding date and time. This data is typically collected during the booking process that follows an individual's detention.

The McDonough County jail functions as either a short-term or long-term facility for arrestees, contingent upon the court's adjudication. The Office of the Sheriff is tasked with creating and distributing arrest records throughout the county. As essential documents initiating court actions, these records may be integrated into a McDonough County court record or a criminal record, but can also exist independently. Arrests signify more than isolated incidents; they are often the outcome of an individual engaging in unlawful activity or intent to violate the law.

Are Arrest Records Public in McDonough County?

Yes, Documents governed by the Illinois Open Records Law are generally available to the public. This encompasses records created and maintained by law enforcement, including McDonough County arrest records. The law applies to all forms of recordkeeping, including reports, correspondence, notes, books, papers, maps, images, microfilms, recorded information, cards, tapes, audio recordings, electronic data processing documents, and digital communications.

However, according to 5 ILCS 140/2.15c, access to arrest records or specific parts of them may be restricted if their disclosure would jeopardize an active investigation, threaten an individual's safety, or compromise the security of a law enforcement facility. Furthermore, specific details within arrest records related to specified offenses may be exempt from public access. For instance, the booking photos of individuals charged with minor offenses may not be publicly available. Records in these categories may be restricted to justice system personnel, record custodians, and court-approved individuals.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public McDonough County arrest record typically includes the following information regarding the arrestee:

Personal Characteristics:

• Date of birth
• Weight
• Height
• Eye color
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Hair Color

Identifying Features:

• Marks, tattoos, or scars

Booking Details:

• Date and time of booking
• Current status

McDonough County Arrest Statistics

Arrests in the county are generally carried out by various law enforcement agencies, including the Macomb Police Department and the Sheriff's Office. According to arrest data compiled by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the MPD recorded 128 arrests in 2023. The ages of those apprehended ranged from 20 to 54 years. The three most prevalent offenses included simple assault, with 40 individuals arrested, followed by larceny, with 38 arrests, and 26 categorized as other various offenses.

In contrast, 27 individuals were taken into custody in 2022, 15 for miscellaneous offenses, 10 for driving under the influence, and 2 for disorderly conduct.

The report also includes arrest records as documented by the county Sheriff's Office. Interested persons may access this information by exploring the arrest statistics database.

Find McDonough County Arrest Records

McDonough's arrest records are accessible to the public as individual reports or as part of other documentation. The appropriate department to contact varies based on the specific arrest record being sought.

• Stand-alone arrest records: For those requiring an arrest record, inquiries should be directed to the arresting agency. This can typically be done via mail or in person, allowing individuals to choose the method that suits them best. It is worth noting that a fee may be charged based on the amount of work required to obtain the documents and process copy requests.
• Arrest records within a broader context: McDonough arrest records can also be included in an individual's criminal history. This document typically comprises details of the arrest, the court's verdict, and any associated sentencing. However, not all arrest records culminate in a criminal record, as some individuals may not face convictions for the alleged offenses.

Individuals interested in locating a person in custody can search the Illinois Department of Corrections website. Additionally, background checks can be performed via the Illinois Department of Police; however, users will need to create an account to access the files. Additionally, inquirers may find an inmate using the inmate locator tool provided by the Bureau of Prisons.

Free Arrest Record Search in McDonough County

In McDonough, arresting agencies offer residents access to arrest records free of charge for inspection. However, requesting copies of these documents incurs a fee.

Additionally, some private aggregate websites provide McDonough arrest records at no cost. However, this service may be restricted and not encompass all pertinent details. Nevertheless, individuals interested in obtaining an arrest record may also consider this option.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Always, Arrest records in McDonough are a matter of permanency. This implies that they will remain on record indefinitely and can only be made unavailable to the public through an expungement. However, even after expungement, the record will still exist and be accessible to law enforcement and the judiciary, as in the case of adult expungement.

Expunge McDonough County Arrest Records

The procedure for expunging a record, which removes it from public access, varies depending on whether the record belongs to a juvenile or an adult. Juvenile records can typically be completely erased, as they are usually sealed, whereas adult records can only be sealed. Juvenile records are legislated by 705 ILCS 405/7A-125.

Some juvenile arrest records are automatically expunged, particularly those that did not result in a conviction, while others require a formal application.

Individuals with qualifying juvenile records must obtain their RAP sheet, fill out the necessary form, and submit it to the circuit clerk. If the request is approved, the record will no longer exist.

In contrast, the expungement process for adults follows the guidelines outlined in 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Adult applicants need to complete the required form and submit it to the relevant court. While the application process for juveniles is free of charge, adult petitioners are usually required to pay a prescribed fee.

McDonough County Arrest Warrants

McDonough arrest warrants generally include the suspect's name, gender, race, date of birth, city, state, bond amount, and case number. These documents serve as legal orders issued by a court, permitting the apprehension of an individual connected to criminal activity.

Arrest warrants are issued after sufficient evidence is presented to support claims of an individual's involvement in a crime, and the judge deems this evidence credible. The Sheriff's Office provides an online database of arrest warrants on its website, allowing interested individuals to conduct searches.

Do McDonough County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Once issued, a McDonough arrest warrant does not have an expiration date—there is no specified timeframe after which it becomes invalid. It only becomes void once it has been executed. Until that point, the warrant remains actionable.