Warrant records are public documents in St. Clair County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including warrants, to promote transparency and accountability within the judicial system. The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by county authorities. The accessibility of these records serves multiple public interests, including allowing individuals to verify the existence of warrants that may affect them and enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities. In accordance with Illinois state law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public warrant records to protect privacy interests while maintaining the core principle of governmental transparency.
Warrant records maintained by the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk typically contain the following information as required by Illinois law:
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court rules, warrant records must contain sufficient information to identify the individual and specify the alleged offense with particularity. The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk maintains these records in accordance with established records retention schedules.
St. Clair County provides several no-cost methods for accessing warrant information in compliance with Illinois public records laws:
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6) stipulates that certain records must be made available for public inspection without charge. Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record searches.
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued by the Circuit Court of St. Clair County that authorize specific law enforcement actions. These warrants fall into several categories as defined by Illinois law:
The Sheriff's Department maintains a dedicated Warrants Division at 700 North 5th Street, Belleville, IL 62220. This division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached at 618-825-5712. The execution of warrants follows strict procedural guidelines established by Illinois statute and case law to ensure constitutional protections are maintained.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in St. Clair County may utilize several official channels:
When conducting a warrant inquiry, individuals must provide proper identification in accordance with county verification protocols. The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.) governs the dissemination of criminal history information, including active warrants. Individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to resolve the matter.
St. Clair County maintains several mechanisms for verifying the existence of outstanding warrants in compliance with Illinois public records laws:
Pursuant to Illinois law, individuals conducting warrant searches must provide proper identification to ensure accurate results. The Sheriff's Department maintains a dedicated warrant information line at 618-825-5712 for general inquiries. For comprehensive warrant information, individuals may submit a formal records request to the Records Division using the county's standard request form.