Rock Island County Arrest Records

Rock Island County arrest records are official files on arrest-related events. Arrests refer to the steps taken to apprehend or bring a suspect into custody. Law enforcement agencies may also conduct arrests to prevent harm or to protect.

In Rock Island County, law enforcement generates records of arrest events. Furthermore, they share these records with interested record-seekers and specific government agencies. For this reason, you will find arrest information in related public documents like inmate records and criminal background checks. For instance, Rock Island County court records on civil or criminal cases may feature arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Rock Island County?

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, arrest records are classified as public documents. The state law generally defines government-generated records as public records. That said, the law allows interested parties to obtain Rock Island County arrest records from designated record custodians. Furthermore, it determines which records are publicly accessible.

Per state law, record custodians have the legal backing to refuse requests for non-public records. Sometimes, the agency may redact the exempt information instead of outrightly denying access to the record.

• Exempt arrest records under the state laws include:
• Documents that may interfere with pending or ongoing law enforcement proceedings
• Documents that may deprive a person of an impartial or fair hearing
• Records that may disclose the identity of confidential sources, complainants, or victims.
• Documents that may disclose specialized investigation techniques utilized by law enforcement agencies
• Arrest information that jeopardizes the safety of law enforcement personnel.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Rock Island, public arrest records may typically provide information on the following:

• The arrestee's name and identifying attributes like sex and race
• Mugshot
• Arrest date
• Arrest warrant information
• Description of the arrest charges
• Bond amount set by the court judge.

Note: The Rock Island County sheriff's office determines who is eligible to receive confidential arrest records. Confidential records may contain sensitive information.

Rock Island County Crime Rate

Illinois State Police maintains records of all crime incidents in Rock Island County. Per the report, the county’s law enforcement agencies documented 9,125 crimes in 2021. The FBI”s Crime Data Explorer is also another resource for accessing Rock Island crime rates. According to the agency’s 2021 report, the county’s most recurring crimes were larceny thefts and motor vehicle thefts at 773 and 180, respectively.

Rock Island County Arrest Statistics

The ISP also maintains Rock Island County’s arrest statistics. The state agency collects data from the county’s law enforcement agencies. Per the 2021 arrest statistics report, Rock Island reported 2,855 arrests. In contrast, the Illinois Department of Corrections keeps the county’s incarceration data. According to the 2024 report, Rock Island housed 288 inmates in its correctional facilities.

Find Rock Island County Arrest Records

You may conduct searches for Rock Island County arrest records by checking inmate records. These records will generally contain arrest information, such as charges, bond conditions, the arrested person's name and physical attributes, and the arrest date. That said, you can find these records through state- or federal-level agencies.

At the state level, the Illinois Department of Corrections keeps inmate records through an online search portal. To access the record, requesters must provide one of the following: the inmate's name, birth date, or IDOC number.

Conversely, you can find Rock Island County inmate records through the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ online inmate locator. You may search by name or prison number to obtain inmate records on the search portal.

The Rock Island County sheriff's office maintains an online list of detained persons. You must use the search box on the webpage to find inmate information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Rock Island County

Interested parties can freely search arrest records by using these government-owned sites:

• Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator
• Illinois Department of Corrections’ inmate search portal

Third-party search sites are also alternatives for accessing free arrest records. Although the sites are mostly unregulated, they may provide access to arrest records or related public files.

Get Rock Island County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Rock Island County are compilations of arrest and court information. Record-seekers can obtain these records through the Illinois State Police. As the record custodian, the agency allows name- or fingerprint-based searches for criminal records. The name-based search option involves inputting the offender's details in the search portal. To use the portal, you must create a digital ID, which also serves as your login details when accessing the search portal.

In contrast, Rock Island County residents can conduct fingerprint-based searches for criminal records. The residents must visit licensed live-scan fingerprint vendors to upload their fingerprints The vendor will, in turn, send the fingerprint request to the ISP.

The request process is quite different for out-of-state requesters. Requesters in this category must fill out the Uniform Conviction Information Form. Furthermore, they must select either a name or a fingerprint-based request form. Upon receiving the online form, the agency will mail the request form to the requester. The requester must fill out the form, attach the applicable fees, and send it back to the agency.

Requesters may also access criminal records by sending a mail or email request to the ISP's FOIA officer at:

Freedom of Information Officer
801 South 7th Street
Suite 1000-S
Springfield, Illinois 62703
E-mail: ISP.FOIA.Officer@illinois.gov

The request must contain either a completed video request form or a document request form.

Rock Island County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Rock Island County, arrest records are quite different from criminal records. Although they are both crime-related public documents, these records differ in terms of content, the creation process, and the custodian agency. The Illinois State Police maintains and issues criminal records, while arrest information is primarily under the purview of the county sheriff's office.

In terms of content, arrest records contain arrest-related events and may exist as a component of criminal records. On the other hand, criminal records contain not only arrest information but also court data and inmate records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Rock Island County arrest records do not have an expiration date. The records will remain on file until the record subject expunges or seals them. Note that you can’t expunge some arrest records under Illinois state laws.

Expunge Rock Island County Arrest Records

In Rock Island County, you can expunge arrest records by filing a petition with the county's circuit clerk. Note that you can't expunge arrest records that led to a conviction. However, you can petition the court to seal them. Note that there are slightly different procedures for expunging different arrest charges in Rock Island County.

Who is eligible to expunge arrest records in Rock Island County?

You are eligible to expunge arrest records under these conditions:

• You have no pending criminal charges
• The waiting period for expungement has passed
• You have completed the court-mandated sentence, probation, or parole
• The arrest charges are eligible for expunction under state or federal laws
• You are an honorably discharged veteran with a certificate of eligibility for expungement

Which arrest records can I expunge in Rock Island County?

You are eligible to expunge these arrest records in Rock Island County:

• Arrests for felonies or misdemeanors that did not result in a conviction
• Criminal convictions that were reversed or pardoned

However, you can't expunge the following charges:

• Minor traffic offenses, unless they are dismissed
• Misdemeanor or felony convictions, unless they were reversed or pardoned
• Records about reckless driving, sex crimes that involve a minor, or driving under the influence.

How do I expunge arrest records in Rock Island County?

In Rock Island County, you can expunge via these steps:

Step 1: Gather copies of your criminal records

To dismiss arrest charges, you need to request a copy of your criminal record from the Illinois State Police. However, you must also request court records if the arrest record resulted in a conviction. You can obtain the records by contacting Rock Island County’s circuit court clerk at:

1317 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Email: riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us

Step 2: Review the records

You need to review the record to see which charges are eligible for expunction. Furthermore, check the conviction date to determine if the waiting period has elapsed. In Rock Island County, you are eligible to expunge convictions at least two years after court supervision. However, you must wait for five years if convicted for these offense:

• Criminal sexual abuse
• Domestic battery
• Operating m uninsured motor vehicles

Step 3: Complete the necessary forms and attach the applicable fees

To expunge arrest records, you must fill out the following forms:

• Request to Expunge or Seal Criminal Records in English or Spanish
• Illinois Additional Arrests Charges for Expungement (if you want to expunge more than one arrest charge)
• Notice of Filing for Expungement (notifies arresting agency that you are filing for expungement)
• Additional Notice of Filing for Expungement (notifies more than one arrest agencies that you are filing for expungement)

Step 4: File the form with circuit clerk

You may file these documents in-person with the circuit clerk at:

1317 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Email: riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us

You may also contact the clerk to know if you can file via mail or email. Furthermore, you can follow the same procedure to seal criminal records.

Rock Island County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are court directives that authorize the arrest of persons named on the document. Court judges may issue arrest warrants after receiving a complaint or affidavit from law enforcement officers. The officers must provide sufficient evidence about the defendant's involvement in a crime.

That said, Rock Island County arrest warrants may contain the following details:

• The defendant's name
• Arrest charges
• Case number
• The arresting agency's name and address
• The court official's name and signature

Rock Island County Arrest Warrant Search

In Rock Island County, arrest warrants are public documents. Record seekers can search for warrants by checking the list of people who are wanted by the ISP. Rock Island County's Warrant Division may also provide information on warrants issued in the county. Requesters can inquire for arrest warrants by contacting the division at (309) 558-3416

Do Rock Island County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Rock Island County arrest warrants do not expire even after the statute of limitation for the crime has elapsed. The warrant only expires after the record subject resolves it or the court nullifies it. To resolve an active warrant, you must visit Rock Island County Courthouse on the first Friday of every month between 8:00 a.m and 11:30 a.m. The courthouse is located at:

1317 3rd Avenue
3rd Floor
Rock Island County, IL