Fayette County Public Records /Fayette County Criminal Records

Fayette County Criminal Records

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fayette County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Fayette County, Illinois may access publicly available information through official government channels, court offices, and authorized online portals. The directory resource FayetteILRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to criminal history in Fayette County. Records accessible through official sources may include the following categories:

Arrest and booking records
Court case filings and dispositions
Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
Inmate and jail roster information
Sex offender registration data
Warrant information
Probation and parole status (where publicly disclosed)

Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and authorized online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.

1. County Court Records

The Fayette County Circuit Clerk maintains the official records for the entire court system. As stated on the Circuit Clerk's office page, "The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains the official records for the entire court system and is the official recorder of documents for filing." Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the courthouse. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for certain record requests. Public access terminals are available during regular business hours.

Fayette County Circuit Clerk
221 S. 7th St., Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-5009
Circuit Clerk – Fayette County

2. Sheriff's Office

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail roster information. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records. The current Sheriff is Ronnie Stevens, serving a term through 2026.

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
221 S. 7th St., Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-5000
Fayette County Sheriff

3. Online Court Search

The Illinois courts system provides an online case search portal through which members of the public may search for case information by party name, case number, or filing date. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and review all matching results. Note that not all historical records are available online, and sealed or expunged records do not appear in public search results.

4. State Criminal History Repository

The Illinois State Police (ISP) serves as the state's criminal history repository. Formal requests for a certified criminal history transcript require fingerprint submission and payment of the applicable processing fee. The ISP processes requests through its Illinois Applicant Processing Services portal. Processing times and fees are subject to change; members of the public should consult the ISP website for current schedules.

Illinois State Police – Bureau of Identification
260 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 740-5160
Illinois State Police Criminal History

5. Written/Mail Requests

Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Fayette County Circuit Clerk by mail. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.

What Is Fayette County Criminal Records

A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. In Illinois, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, beginning at the point of arrest and continuing through sentencing, appeals, and post-conviction supervision.

The distinction between record types is significant for members of the public seeking accurate information:

Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification of offense under Illinois law and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of imprisonment. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are reflected in court records maintained by the Fayette County Circuit Clerk.
Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are sealed by operation of law under 705 ILCS 405/1-8 and are not accessible to the general public.
Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the courts. Historical records reflect resolved matters.

The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Fayette County include the County Sheriff's Office (arrest records and jail records), the Circuit Court (case files, charges, and dispositions), the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of court proceedings, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. A complete record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.

Are Criminal Records Public In Fayette County

Criminal records in Fayette County are subject to public disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, codified at 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq. Under current law, adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are presumptively open to public inspection. The Act provides that "each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records, except as otherwise provided."

Records that are accessible to the public include adult arrest records, felony and misdemeanor conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and probation terms. Records that are restricted from public disclosure include:

Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
Expunged or sealed adult records
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
Records subject to court-ordered confidentiality

Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Illinois open records law. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance on the application of the Freedom of Information Act to criminal and court records.

How To Find Criminal Records in Fayette County Online

Official County Resources

The Fayette County Clerk & Recorder/FOIA Officer maintains online access to certain county records. The Circuit Clerk's office provides case information through the courthouse's public access terminals. Members of the public may also review inmate information through materials published by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. Each portal contains distinct record sets; cross-referencing multiple sources produces the most complete picture of available information.

State-Level Resources

The Illinois Department of Corrections provides two statewide search tools:

The Individual in Custody Search allows members of the public to locate individuals currently held in IDOC facilities.
The Offender Search portal provides access to broader offender information, including wanted fugitives, sex offender registration data, and community notification resources.

Search Tips

Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases.
Case number searches yield the most precise results when the number is known.
Check multiple databases, as records are distributed across county, state, and court systems.
Understand that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches.
Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online databases.

Limitations

Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating digitization may require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for official certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.

Can You Search Fayette County Criminal Records for Free

Free Options

1. In-Person Inspection: Under 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies are required to provide records for inspection at no charge. Members of the public may inspect court records at the Fayette County Circuit Clerk's office and Sheriff's Office without a fee. Copying fees apply to reproductions.

2. Free Online Databases: The following resources are available at no cost:

Resource	What It Contains	Link
IDOC Individual in Custody Search	Current IDOC inmates	Search
IDOC Offender Search	Offender records, sex offender registry	Search
Fayette County Circuit Clerk	Court case records (in-person terminal)	Circuit Clerk

3. Sheriff's Logs: Arrest and booking information maintained by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office is subject to public inspection under the Freedom of Information Act.

What Costs Money

Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Circuit Clerk per page or per document
Official state criminal history background checks through the Illinois State Police: fee per transaction (current schedule available on the ISP website)
Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard inspection
Expedited processing requests

State Fee Law

Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copying records but may not charge for the cost of inspection. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the public body.

What's Included in a Fayette County Criminal Record

Identifying Information

A criminal record maintained by county and state agencies includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.

Arrest Information

Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held. Inmate-related information for the Fayette County Jail is described in materials published by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

Court Case Information

Court records maintained by the Circuit Clerk include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.

Disposition

Disposition records reflect the verdict or finding, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.

Additional Record Elements

A complete criminal record may also reflect outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration requirements, DUI or DWI adjudications, traffic violations prosecuted as criminal matters, and pending charges not yet resolved.

Records NOT Included

Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
Expunged or sealed adult records
Criminal records from other states
Federal criminal records
Matters resolved through completed diversion programs

Accuracy Note

Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification or the originating court. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.

How Long Does Fayette County Keep Criminal Records

Legal Requirements

Illinois law and the Illinois Local Records Act govern the retention of criminal records by county agencies. The Illinois Local Records Commission establishes retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.

Retention by Record Type

Record Type	Retention Period
Felony convictions	Permanent
Misdemeanor convictions	Permanent
Arrest records (no conviction)	Minimum 5 years; varies by agency
Dismissed or acquitted cases	Retained with disposition noted
Juvenile records	Sealed at age 17 or 21 (offense-dependent); subject to expungement
Pending cases	Retained until final resolution

Agency Differences

County courts retain case records on a permanent basis pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court records retention rules. The Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records according to schedules approved by the Illinois Local Records Commission. The Illinois State Police maintains conviction records permanently in the statewide criminal history repository, accessible through the Offender Search portal.

Physical vs. Electronic Records

Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and verification, but the electronic record persists in the state repository.

Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement

Destruction results in the permanent elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, results in the removal of eligible records from public access and, in certain cases, from law enforcement databases. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the disposition, and the time elapsed since the case was resolved. Even where a county destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.

Old Records Access

Records predating digital systems may require special requests submitted directly to the Circuit Clerk or the Illinois State Archives. Some historical records are held in state archival collections.

Federal Records

Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are subject to separate retention rules independent of Illinois state law.

Practical Implications

Prior convictions remain accessible on background checks regardless of the time elapsed since the offense. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-to-ten-year reporting window for certain record types, though professional licensing and security clearance processes may require full disclosure of all convictions.