Search Kendall County Criminal Records

Kendall County criminal records are kept by the Circuit Clerk of the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Yorkville, Illinois. The clerk files all court cases in the county, so every felony and misdemeanor charge runs through that office. You can look up a criminal case by going to the courthouse in Yorkville or by using the state search tools that pull data from local courts. Kendall County has grown fast in the last two decades, and its case volume has grown with it. This page covers how to search those records, what tools are out there, and where to go if you need copies.

Kendall County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the main source for criminal records in Kendall County. Matthew Prochaska serves as the current clerk. The office handles all trial court case files, which includes traffic, misdemeanor, felony, civil, and family cases. For criminal matters, this is where charges get filed, plea entries are logged, and sentencing results are stored. If you need to look up a case or get a copy of a court document, the clerk's office is the place to start.

You can visit the Kendall County Circuit Clerk at 807 West John Street in Yorkville, IL 60560. Call (630) 553-4183 if you have questions about a case or need to check on fees before you make the trip. The staff can help you pull case numbers, find filing dates, and check the current status of a criminal case. Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to ask for copies of criminal records from Kendall County.

The clerk records every criminal case that comes through the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Kendall County. That means both felony and misdemeanor charges end up in their system. If someone was charged in Kendall County, the record of that charge, along with any court dates and the final outcome, sits in this office.

Search Kendall County Criminal Records Online

Illinois has several tools for searching criminal records without going to the courthouse. For Kendall County, the Judici portal is one of the main options. Judici provides free public access to court records for more than 80 counties in Illinois. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. The results show case type, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. This makes it easy to look up Kendall County criminal case data from home.

The Judici court records portal serves as a starting point for public case searches across many Illinois counties, including those in the 23rd Judicial Circuit.

Not every document is viewable through the online portal. Some filings are restricted. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain confidential records do not show up in a public search. If you need the full file for a Kendall County criminal case, you may still need to contact the clerk or visit in person. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) sets the rules for which records stay public and which can be sealed or expunged in Illinois.

Note: Online search results may lag behind the most recent filings if there is a delay in the clerk's data entry process.

Criminal Records in Kendall County Courts

Kendall County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit. Illinois uses a unified court system, so the same circuit court handles felony and misdemeanor cases here. Felonies are the more serious charges and carry prison time of more than one year. Misdemeanors carry up to one year in county jail. Both types of criminal records go through the Kendall County Circuit Clerk and are stored in the same system.

The courthouse sits on West John Street in Yorkville. Criminal cases go through arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and trial in this building. When a case ends in a conviction, the clerk logs the result and it becomes part of the public record. The 23rd Judicial Circuit also covers DeKalb County, so some administrative functions may be shared. But Kendall County criminal records stay with the Kendall County clerk.

Kendall County Criminal Records Access

Public access to criminal records in Kendall County follows Illinois state law. The Uniform Conviction Information Act, found at 20 ILCS 2635, says that conviction data collected by the Illinois State Police must be open to the public. Anyone can ask for conviction records. You do not need to give a reason. The act covers convictions only. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction are not part of what gets released under this law.

For court records held by the Kendall County Circuit Clerk, fees apply. Most Illinois counties charge a per-page rate for standard copies and a higher rate for certified copies. Call (630) 553-4183 to check the current copy fees before making a request. Certified copies are often needed for legal proceedings. Standard copies work fine for personal research.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140 also supports public access. FOIA covers a broad range of documents held by public bodies. If the clerk has a record that is not otherwise restricted, you can file a FOIA request to get it. Agencies must respond within five business days. Kendall County offices follow the same FOIA rules as every other county in the state.

State Police Records for Kendall County

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification holds criminal history data from all 102 counties, including Kendall County. If you need a statewide check rather than just local court records, the Bureau is where to go. They keep fingerprint files and conviction data reported by local law enforcement. A name-based check costs $10 for electronic or $16 for paper. Fingerprint checks run $15 to $32, depending on the type.

The Bureau of Identification homepage at the Illinois State Police site shows the services they provide for criminal records checks across Illinois.

You can run a name-based search through CHIRP, which stands for Criminal History Information Response Process. You need an Illinois driver's license or state ID to set up an account. Once registered, submit a name and get results drawn from statewide conviction data. That includes Kendall County records that have been reported to the state police. Keep in mind that not all local court data flows to the state right away. A CHIRP search and a local court search may return different results because each system updates on its own schedule.

Note: CHIRP only returns conviction records, not pending charges or arrests that did not lead to a conviction.

Clearing Criminal Records in Kendall County

Illinois law allows certain criminal records to be expunged or sealed. In Kendall County, you file a petition with the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court. Expungement applies to arrests that did not lead to a conviction, some types of supervision, and certain specific offenses. Sealing covers more ground. It works for many cases where expungement is not available. Sealed records are hidden from public view but still visible to law enforcement and some licensing bodies.

Waiting periods apply under the law. Two years must pass after supervision ends. Five years for qualified probation. Once the waiting period is met, you file your petition with the Kendall County Circuit Clerk. The court fee is $60. You also need to serve copies of the petition on the State's Attorney and the arresting agency. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has a step-by-step guide that explains what qualifies, what forms you need, and what happens at the hearing.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, look into free legal clinics that serve the Kendall County area. The self-help center at the courthouse can also point you to basic forms and instructions for filing on your own.

Getting Copies of Kendall County Criminal Records

There are a few ways to get copies of criminal records from Kendall County. In person is the most direct. Visit the Circuit Clerk at 807 West John Street in Yorkville. Bring the case number if you have it. The staff will pull up the file and print the pages you need. Fees are charged per page. Certified copies cost more than standard ones. You can pay at the window.

Mail is another option. Send a written request to the Kendall County Circuit Clerk with the case details and a check or money order for the estimated fees. Include your return address. If you call (630) 553-4183, the staff can look up basic case information and walk you through the request process. Some records may also be available through online search tools, though downloading full documents may come with an extra cost or may not be available at all for certain filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kendall County. If a criminal case was filed in a neighboring area, check that county's circuit clerk for records.