Saline County Arrest Records

In Saline County, Illinois, arrests typically occur when

• A police officer witnesses an individual committing an offense.
• There is probable cause to believe that an offense occurred and that the arrestee is the perpetrator.
• There is a warrant of arrest against the arrestee.

Law enforcement officers within the county (the Saline County Sheriff's Office or local police departments) are authorized to make arrests when they reasonably believe a crime has occurred.

Following an arrest, individuals may be transported to the police station or Saline County Jail, where they will be booked and may be detained pending bail, arraignment, or further legal action. The arresting agency is chiefly responsible for documenting an arrest and creating a formal arrest record that includes the suspect's identifying details, the arresting officer, and other critical information.

Arrest records in Saline County serve as foundational documents in the justice process. These records play a vital role in prosecutorial decision-making and maintaining public transparency, legal accountability, and individual rights. They are also often referenced during court proceedings and may appear in related public records, such as the Saline County court records and Illinois criminal history files.

Are Arrest Records Public in Saline County?

Yes. Arrest records in Saline County are generally considered public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which grants individuals the right to access records maintained by public agencies, including local law enforcement. This law requires that public bodies respond to record requests within five business days, unless an extension is applicable.

However, not all arrest-related documents are open for public inspection. Certain records are exempt from disclosure to protect privacy, due process, or ongoing investigations. Common examples of exempt arrest-related information include:

• Records connected to active or ongoing criminal investigations
• Information that may jeopardize the safety of individuals or law enforcement personnel
• Juvenile arrest records, which are confidential under Illinois law
• Documents that disclose a confidential informant's identity
• Records containing sensitive personal identifiers, such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, or medical information

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Saline County generally contain key details as outlined in 5 ILCS 140/2.15. These records are limited to non-confidential information and may include:

• Full name, age, and last known address of the individual arrested
• Photograph of the arrestee (if available)
• Time, date, and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting or investigating law enforcement agency
• Date and time of booking
• Date of release from custody, if applicable
• Description of charges

Saline County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report for 2023, the Saline County Sheriff's Office executed a total of 102 arrests. When broken down by offense category, simple assault accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 20 cases. It was followed by drug and narcotic violations, with 13 arrests. Additionally, there were eight arrests for disorderly conduct, while vandalism of property resulted in four arrests. The remaining arrests were distributed across other offenses that were not individually categorized.

Individuals seeking arrest statistics for other law enforcement agencies within Saline County can customize their search on the UCR portal by selecting the specific police department of interest.

Find Saline County Arrest Records

To locate arrest records in Saline County, individuals can begin their search with local law enforcement agencies, such as the Saline County Sheriff's Office or municipal police departments. These agencies are often the first to generate and store arrest information.

Interested parties may contact local police agencies by phone, email, or in person during regular business hours to request arrest details. To help staff locate relevant records, the requester will need to provide identifying details, such as the arrestee's full name, date of birth, or the approximate arrest date. Fees may apply for printed copies.

If the arrested individual has been transferred out of county custody, or if the arrest involved a state or federal agency, the following resources may prove useful:

• The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) hosts an Individual in Custody Search tool, which allows users to find inmates in state prisons using a name, date of birth, or inmate ID number.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) runs the Federal Inmate Locator for finding persons in federal custody. This tool accepts searches by name or BOP registration number, and provides facility location, release date, and incarceration history.

Free Arrest Record Search in Saline County

Free arrest record searches in Saline County can be conducted by submitting an inspection request to the Saline County Sheriff's Office or other local police departments under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Requesters who only wish to view the information, rather than obtain copies, are typically not required to pay a fee. However, minimal charges may apply if printed or certified copies are requested.

Additionally, individuals may explore third-party public records websites that offer basic arrest information at no cost. These sites often allow visitors to search by entering a person's first and last name, and may return results from Saline County as well as other jurisdictions. While basic search access is often free, viewing full details or downloading reports may require a subscription or one-time payment.

It is important to note that third-party sites are not affiliated with the government and cannot be relied upon for legal purposes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless expunged or sealed under state law, arrests remain on a person's criminal record indefinitely. Saline County law enforcement agencies follow Illinois's legislature, which does not automatically remove arrest information over time. Individuals must petition the court for relief to clear or limit public access to such records.

Expunge Saline County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking to expunge or seal arrest records in Saline County must ensure that their records meet the eligibility criteria of 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Generally, expungement (complete removal or destruction of a record) is available for arrests that did not result in a conviction, including:

• Cases where charges were dismissed or dropped
• Acquittals or findings of not guilty
• Situations where the conviction was vacated, reversed, or pardoned

In contrast, record sealing restricts public access without destroying the record and may be available for certain low-level convictions, provided the individual has completed all sentencing requirements and meets the applicable waiting period.

To begin the sealing or expungement process in Saline County, individuals must:

• Obtain their court disposition from the Saline County Circuit Court
• Request a copy of their criminal history from the arresting agency (such as the Saline County Sheriff's Office), the Illinois State Police, or a licensed fingerprint vendor
• Complete the appropriate expungement or sealing forms available on the Illinois Courts website.
• File the forms with the Saline County Circuit Court, where the request will be reviewed.

In some cases, individuals may be scheduled for a court hearing where a judge decides whether the petition should be granted. Applicants are encouraged to bring all relevant documentation to support their request.

Importantly, individuals must not have any pending charges or ongoing sentences at the time of filing, and any required waiting periods must have passed. Those with arrests in multiple counties must file separate petitions in each county where an arrest or charge occurred.

Once a petition is approved, the court will issue an order requiring all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the records, making them inaccessible to the general public. Afterward, the individual may lawfully state that they have never been arrested for the expunged offense.

Saline County Arrest Warrants

A Saline County arrest warrant is a court-issued directive that empowers law enforcement officers to apprehend an individual suspected of a criminal offense or violating a court order. These warrants are issued by a judge/magistrate following a sworn complaint or affidavit submitted by law enforcement personnel. The complaint must demonstrate probable cause—a reasonable basis to believe that the person named in the warrant was involved in criminal activity.

Under 725 ILCS 5/107-9, an arrest warrant may be issued in Saline County under the following circumstances:

• When a crime has been committed and the suspect is not present to be arrested without a warrant
• When an individual fails to appear in court as required
• When someone is in contempt of court or violates a court order
• Following a grand jury indictment

A Saline County arrest warrant generally contains:

• The name (or description) of the individual to be arrested
• A clear description of the alleged offense
• The date and county of issuance
• The title and signature of the committing judge
• Any applicable bail or release conditions
• The jurisdictional limits for the execution of the warrant

Members of the public may contact the Saline County Sheriff's Office to inquire about active arrest warrants. Information may also be available through local police departments or by requesting records from the appropriate Saline County Circuit Court division.

Do Saline County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Saline County do not expire. Once issued by a judge, a warrant remains in effect until it is executed by law enforcement, withdrawn by the issuing court, or rendered inexecutable by events such as the subject's death. Warrants can remain enforceable for years, regardless of changes in location or circumstances.