Yes, warrants are public records in Clay County, Illinois. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), warrant records are accessible to the public to ensure transparency and accountability within the judicial system. This act mandates that certain records, including those related to legal proceedings and law enforcement activities, be available to the public unless otherwise exempted by law pursuant to § 7 of the Act.
Public access to warrant records allows individuals to verify the existence of warrants and understand the legal actions being taken by law enforcement. This transparency helps maintain trust in the legal processes and ensures that the community is informed about potential legal actions involving its members. Members of the public may request these records through established procedures at designated county offices.
Warrant records in Clay County typically include comprehensive information as mandated by Illinois law. These official documents contain:
These elements are required pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/107-9 for arrest warrants and 725 ILCS 5/108-7 for search warrants.
Free searches of warrant records are available in Clay County through several official channels. Members of the public may utilize the following methods to conduct these searches:
Visiting the Clay County Sheriff's Office in person at: Clay County Sheriff's Office 300 Broadway Street Louisville, IL 62858 Phone: (618) 665-3316 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Contacting the Clay County Circuit Clerk's Office located at: Clay County Circuit Clerk Clay County Courthouse 111 Chestnut Street Louisville, IL 62858 Phone: (618) 665-3523 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilizing public access terminals at the Clay County Law Library within the courthouse during regular business hours
Checking the Illinois Department of Corrections Wanted Fugitives database for serious offenders with active warrants
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Access to Electronic Court Records, certain warrant information may be restricted if it pertains to ongoing investigations or sealed cases.
Sheriff Warrants in Clay County are legal documents issued by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court that authorize law enforcement to take specific actions, such as arresting an individual or conducting a search. These warrants are executed by the Clay County Sheriff's Office under the authority granted by 725 ILCS 5/107-2.
Sheriff's warrants contain essential information, including:
The Clay County Sheriff maintains a database of active warrants that is updated daily. Law enforcement officers have 24-hour access to this information through the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) as authorized by 20 ILCS 2605/2605-375.
To determine whether a warrant exists in your name in Clay County in 2025, individuals may utilize several official verification methods:
Pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/107-9(e), individuals may request verification of warrant status through these official channels. The Clay County Sheriff's Office maintains records of all active warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.
Searching for outstanding warrants in Clay County is possible through several authorized methods established by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court. Members of the public seeking this information may:
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, certain identifying information may be redacted from publicly accessible warrant records to protect privacy while maintaining transparency in judicial proceedings.
For warrants related to serious offenses, the public may also check the Wanted Fugitives database maintained by the Illinois Department of Corrections, which includes individuals with active warrants who have absconded from supervision.