Morgan County Arrest Records

In Morgan County, the Sheriff's Office, the Jacksonville Police Department, the Illinois State Police, and other law enforcement agencies generate arrest records to document the individuals they arrest for various offenses. An arrest record contains information such as the name and other personal details, date and time of arrest, alleged crime, booking information, and confinement status.

Generally, arrests become necessary when law enforcement has legal reasons to take individuals into custody. For instance, courts may issue warrants based on probable cause, threat to public safety, risk of escape or evidence tampering, noncompliance with court orders, or failure to appear before the court for trials.

In Morgan County, law enforcement agencies detain individuals awaiting trials and those serving short-term sentences at the Morgan County Jail. After trials, Morgan County arrest records that are part of criminal case trials may be accessible as part of Morgan County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Morgan County?

According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Morgan County arrest records and other documents in the possession of government agencies are public. Under the FOIA, interested individuals have the right to complete access to public records. However, certain arrest records are exempt from public access. This includes arrest information relating to minors, sealed or expunged records, active law enforcement or judicial investigations, Social Security and financial account details, victims' information, law enforcement tactics, undercover agents, and medical or mental health histories. Only the subjects of the records and authorized entities can access exempted arrest records.

For comprehensive details of arrests within Morgan County, reach out to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office at:

300 West Court Street,
Jacksonville,
IL 62650
Phone: (217) 243-6123

Morgan County Arrest Statistics

Crime statistics from the FBI show 1,650 arrests in Morgan County between January 2021 and January 2025. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office and the Jacksonville and South Jacksonville Police Departments arrested 1,106 males and 535 females for various offenses within Morgan County. During this period, 431 individuals were taken into custody for simple assault incidents, and 265 were arrested for larceny. The table shows the number of arrests in Morgan County from January 2021 to January 2025.

Data source: FBI UCR database.

Find Morgan County Arrest Records

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act permits individuals to access Morgan County's arrest records. Interested individuals seeking access to Morgan County arrest records should visit the Morgan County Sheriff's Office or mail written FOIA requests to:

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Records Division
300 West Court Street,
Jacksonville,
IL 62650.

Requesters can also call the Morgan County Jail at (217) 245-4143 and inquire about inmates' arrest records.

To access Morgan County arrest records through criminal case records, log into the Morgan County Judici Portal and search for names or case numbers. Requesters can also mail, call, email, or visit the Morgan County Circuit Clerk's Office at:

300 West State Street,
Jacksonville,
IL 62650
Phone: (217) 243-5419
Email: circlerk@morgancounty-il.com.

Morgan County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Morgan County's arrest and criminal records have notable distinctions. The table below highlights the key differences between Morgan County's arrest and criminal records:

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Morgan County and across the U.S., arrest information stays permanently on records unless the courts seal or remove it. The Illinois Criminal Identification Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 grant individuals the right to seal or remove adult and juvenile arrest records if they fulfill the eligibility criteria. A Morgan County arrest record may qualify for sealing or expunction if:

• The arrest did not result in a conviction
• There were no charges
• The owner of the record completes court supervision for an eligible offense.
• The convict receives a state pardon
• The arrest record is for a juvenile crime
• The record owner completes the sentence for the crime (including probation), makes restitutions, and pays all applicable fines.
• The petitioner observes the applicable waiting period.

Morgan County Arrest Warrants

Morgan County arrest warrants are court documents issued by the Morgan County Circuit Court based on probable cause and legal noncompliance. These documents authorize law enforcement to take specific individuals into custody. To obtain arrest warrants, law enforcement or prosecutors must show evidence of an arrestable offense by the named individuals.

Generally, an arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The name, aliases, and physical description of the wanted person
• Charges and sections of the laws allegedly violated
• Affidavit stating probable cause
• Date and time of issuance
• Name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
• Geographical jurisdiction
• Orders to law enforcement to arrest the subject
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant
• Case or warrant number
• Bail or bond conditions (if applicable).

Do Morgan County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Morgan County arrest warrants do not have expiration dates. In Morgan County and across the United States, once judges issue arrest warrants, they remain active and enforceable until law enforcement apprehends the defendants. Nonetheless, factors such as clerical errors, false or misleading information, and improper issuance by judicial officers may affect the validity of Morgan County arrest warrants. In addition, the statute of limitations on some offenses may influence the timeframe for issuing arrest warrants in Morgan County.