Search St. Clair County Criminal Records

St. Clair County criminal records are managed by the Circuit Clerk's office at #10 Public Square in Belleville. The county is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit and has a population of about 251,000 people. Criminal case data for felony and misdemeanor cases can be accessed through the clerk's website. The Circuit Clerk's website may be used to access all civil and criminal court dates. You can also request copies of court documents through an online form. This page explains how to find, request, and get criminal records in St. Clair County, Illinois.

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk Office

The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk is Kinnis Williams Sr. This office handles all court records for criminal cases filed in the county. The main office is at #10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220. You can call them at (618) 825-2334 or send an email to CircuitClerk@co.st-clair.il.us. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The criminal cashier window has slightly shorter hours, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you need to look up a criminal case, the clerk's staff can help. Walk in during business hours and provide the name or case number you want to search. The staff will pull up the case and give you the details that are part of the public record. This is the most direct way to get criminal records in St. Clair County. You can also view court date schedules and basic case info through the circuit clerk website.

The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk website shows office hours, contact info, and criminal records services.

From here you can find court dates, access case information, and learn about document request options in St. Clair County.

Request St. Clair County Criminal Court Documents

St. Clair County has an online form for requesting copies of court documents. The Court Document Request Form lets you ask for specific filings from any case. An emailed PDF copy costs $15 plus a $5 processing fee. If you need a certified copy, add $10 to that total. So a certified document runs $30 in all. The form asks for the case number, the document you want, and your contact info.

This online option is helpful if you cannot visit the courthouse in person. You fill out the form, pay the fees, and the clerk's office emails the document to you as a PDF. This works for criminal case files, court orders, and other documents that are part of the public record in St. Clair County. Some documents tied to sealed or confidential cases will not be available through this process.

The document request form shows how to order copies of St. Clair County criminal court filings online.

Fees are $15 for a standard PDF copy plus $5 processing, with certified copies costing an additional $10.

Note: eFiling is required for all civil case types in St. Clair County, though criminal cases follow different procedures.

Criminal Records Searches in St. Clair County

The most thorough way to search St. Clair County criminal records is at the courthouse. Bring as much info as you can. A full name and date of birth help narrow results. A case number makes the search instant. The clerk's office will pull up the case file and let you review it. You can request copies of any public documents in the file.

Court records in St. Clair County show charges, court dates, plea entries, and dispositions. Felony cases, misdemeanor cases, and traffic violations are all on file. The 20th Judicial Circuit covers St. Clair County along with several surrounding counties. Cases from this circuit are managed through the Belleville courthouse for St. Clair County matters. When you get copies, ask the clerk if you need standard or certified versions. Certified copies carry the seal of the court and are often required for legal proceedings or official use.

Illinois Criminal Records for St. Clair County

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains criminal history data for the whole state. If you want records that go beyond what St. Clair County courts hold, a statewide check can fill the gap. The Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635) makes conviction data public. Name-based checks cost $10 through the CHIRP system. You need an Illinois driver's license or state ID to use the portal.

A state-level check searches conviction records from every county in Illinois. This catches cases that were filed outside St. Clair County. The county court search only shows cases filed locally. So if someone has a criminal history in Cook County or Sangamon County, the St. Clair County court system will not show those cases. That is where the state check adds value. It pulls from the full state database maintained by the Illinois State Police.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives you the right to request public records from government agencies. This includes law enforcement agencies in St. Clair County. FOIA requests must get a response within five business days. You can send a written request to any public body, including the St. Clair County Sheriff or local police departments, to ask for records they hold.

Sealing and Expungement in St. Clair County

Some criminal records in St. Clair County can be sealed or expunged. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) sets the rules. Expungement destroys the record. Sealing hides it from public view but law enforcement can still see it. Which option applies depends on the type of case and its outcome.

To petition for expungement or sealing in St. Clair County, you file with the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. The court fee is $60. Waiting periods apply. Two years for supervision. Five years for qualified probation. Not all offenses qualify. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has guides that walk you through eligibility and the steps to file. Once a judge grants the petition, the clerk sends notice to the Illinois State Police and local agencies to update their files.

Court Filing in St. Clair County

St. Clair County requires eFiling for all civil case types. This means documents must be submitted through the statewide eFileIL system rather than on paper. Criminal cases have different procedures. Criminal filings are still handled through the clerk's office and follow the rules set by the 20th Judicial Circuit.

If you need to file something related to a criminal case in St. Clair County, contact the Circuit Clerk's office at (618) 825-2334. They can tell you exactly what forms are needed and how to submit them. The clerk's staff handles filings for motions, petitions, and other documents tied to active or closed criminal cases in the county.

Nearby Counties for Criminal Records

St. Clair County is in the Metro East region of southwestern Illinois. Cases filed in a neighboring county will only show up in that county's court system. Check these nearby counties if your search comes up empty in St. Clair County.