Shelby County Arrest Records

Arrest records refer to information about law enforcement detention and offenders. They are documents from law enforcement archives that contain details about offenders, including their names, mugshots, fingerprints, age, occupation, and some information about the alleged offense, such as the crime and the law violated.

Shelby County arrest records are created after an alleged offender is booked into the jail system after being apprehended by law enforcement agents. The records are updated regularly by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, which primarily creates, manages, and provides access to the county’s arrest records through its daily jail and arrest logs. This agency also primarily executed arrests in the county. Arrests become necessary when the offender commits the act of the crime in the presence or view of the law enforcement officer, or the offender has an active warrant out for their arrest.

Arrest warrants are issued in Shelby County when there is a need to prevent the commission of a crime, prevent the offender from fleeing, or there is enough evidence to prove probable cause. The apprehended individuals are usually held at the Shelby County Detention Center after booking and processing. The facility holds offenders awaiting transfer, trial, or a bond hearing, as well as offenders who are serving sentences of less than a year for misdemeanors. For arrests that led to a court appearance, the Shelby County court records provide access to arrest information through the arraignment documents. These documents contain details about the arrest and the arresting officer/agency, as well as a timeline of how the arrest was executed.

Are Arrest Records Public in Shelby County?

Yes, arrest records in Shelby County are generally public records according to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. These records can be accessed by anyone through the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, where they are primarily created. According to Section 2.15 of the Illinois FOIA, criminal justice agencies must make certain arrest details public no more than 72 hours after the arrest was executed.

The required details to be made public in this context include the offender’s name, address, and age, the mugshot, the location and time of the arrest, the charges, as well as the arresting or investigating agency. The amount of any bond or bail must also be included. There are also records that are exempt from public access, such as private information like personal telephone numbers, social security numbers, and personal financial information. Juvenile records are restricted, as are records that could disclose the identity of a confidential source and sealed or expunged arrest records. Requesters can access the sheriff’s office at:

200 E. North St.
Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
(217) 774-3941 - Phone
(217) 774-2851 - Fax

Shelby County Arrest Statistics

The public can access Shelby County arrest statistics through the FBI UCR’s crime database. The Shelbyville Police Department reported 35 total arrests in 2024, including seven arrests for all other offenses. The police department recorded 10 arrests for simple assault, five arrests for larceny, two arrests for burglary, and one arrest for aggravated assault and sex offenses. There were no arrests recorded for arson, homicide offenses, motor vehicle theft, or robbery.

Find Shelby County Arrest Records

Shelby County arrest records are publicly available through law enforcement agencies and the courts. The public can approach these agencies or the clerk of the Circuit Court with a records request. These requests can also be sent via mail for remote requesters. These records are also available online through the Inmate Listing website maintained by the sheriff’s office. This website provides an updated list of inmates booked at the county jail. The Illinois Department of Corrections also maintains an Individual in Custody Search website for searching statewide jail records. The court records containing arrest information can be accessed through the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. The state judiciary maintains a Case Search website that provides access to statewide criminal case records.

Shelby County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Shelby County arrest records are fundamentally different from criminal records because the former refers to details about lawful detention only, while the latter is a complete criminal history. Arrest records are the initial part of criminal records, where details of arrests, like the time, date, location, and the detainee's information, can be found. They contain details of the charges and supporting laws for the violations that made the arrest necessary. Unlike criminal records, arrest records cannot provide proof of guilt because the charges are alleged. Criminal records are detailed with further documents like court records and jail records. Court records offer trial and sentencing details, which can be proof of guilt if the court’s sentence states so. The jail records also provide information about the offender’s conduct during rehabilitation.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Shelby County arrest records will be part of your public records permanently unless the Circuit Court is petitioned to seal or expunge them. These records do not disappear due to time passing or statutory provisions. They can be removed through expungement, which requires the offender to meet certain requirements. In cases where the arrest did not result in a conviction, the records are immediately eligible for expungement. If there is a conviction, the offender must wait for 2 years after completing the sentence of supervision or 5 years after completing the probation sentence. For records sealing, the offender must wait for 3 years after completing the court’s sentence. Some offenses are not eligible for sealing or expungement, including reckless driving, domestic battery, and driving under the influence.

Shelby County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant refers to a document issued by a judge or magistrate to a law enforcement body, directing the detention of a named individual. They are issued when the judge reasonably believes the offender is guilty of the offense, based on available evidence. Shelby County arrest warrants do not take effect until they are signed by a judge. After they are issued, they become active indefinitely and can be executed across jurisdictions. A warrant can be issued for a fresh arrest to apprehend and transport an alleged offender to the jurisdiction where they will be tried, or to produce defendants who have bailed on court appearances. They are public records that usually contain details such as the offender’s name, age, physical description, date of birth, address, charges, as well as the time, date, and place of the arrest.

Do Shelby County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Shelby County arrest warrants do not expire. Arrest warrants become active indefinitely when a judge or magistrate signs them. Aside from cancellation through the execution of the arrest, a judge can also recall a warrant. When this happens, the document becomes inactive and cannot be used to execute a lawful arrest. They can also become inactive after the statute of limitations expires on the case. This means that if the time within which the charges can be filed in court passes, the arrest warrant becomes inactive.

Expunge Shelby County Arrest Records

Shelby County arrest records can be sealed and expunged according to Illinois laws. Expungement involves the erasure or destruction of the records to make it as though it never happened. Sealing of records consists in removing them from public view or access, including most private background checks. Individuals who want to expunge arrests can be eligible immediately after the case is dismissed, an acquittal is granted, or the charges were not filed.

For individuals who were under supervision or probation, a 2-year waiting period is required from the termination of the supervision, while a 5-year waiting period is required from the termination of probation. Record sealing requires that the sentence must be completed, and a period of 4 years must have passed since the completion date.

There are offenses that do not qualify, such as driving under the influence, sex offenses, and violation of an order of protection or domestic battery. Individuals who meet these requirements can begin by obtaining their criminal history from the Illinois State police or the sheriff’s office.

Obtain the petition form, fill it out, and file it at the Circuit Court Clerk’s office. The petition is then served on the state’s attorney and the State Police before a review and an objection can be made. If there is an objection, a hearing will be scheduled, and the court will grant the order of expungement or an order to seal if the objection is successful. This court order will be sent to the state police, sheriff’s office, and other relevant agencies, instructing them to delete or seal the records.