Will County Criminal Records
What Is Will County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Will County, Illinois, constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass a comprehensive array of information pertaining to arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions as maintained by various law enforcement and judicial agencies.
Criminal records typically fall into several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, which may not necessarily result in formal charges or convictions
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas, representing confirmed violations of criminal statutes
- Court Records: Documentation of all judicial proceedings related to criminal cases
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding periods of confinement in county jail facilities
The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) establishes the legal framework for criminal record creation, maintenance, and dissemination throughout the state, including Will County. According to this statute, criminal history information encompasses "data identifiable to an individual and consisting of descriptions or notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, informations, pretrial proceedings, trials, or other formal events in the criminal justice system or descriptions or notations of criminal charges and the nature of any disposition arising therefrom."
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Will County:
Will County Sheriff's Office
16911 W. Laraway Road
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 727-8575
Will County Sheriff's Office
Will County Circuit Clerk
14 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Will County Circuit Clerk
Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-5160
Illinois State Police
Criminal records maintained by these agencies include information on:
- Felony offenses (serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more)
- Misdemeanor offenses (less serious crimes typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration)
- Criminal traffic violations (including DUI/DWI offenses)
- Warrant information (active and executed)
- Bond and bail determinations
- Court appearances and proceedings
- Case dispositions and sentencing outcomes
It is important to note that juvenile records in Will County are generally sealed pursuant to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405) and are not accessible to the general public except under specific circumstances authorized by law.
Are Criminal Records Public In Will County
Criminal records in Will County are generally considered public information pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
Section 1.2 of the Illinois FOIA states: "All records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying. Any public body that asserts that a record is exempt from disclosure has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that it is exempt."
While the presumption of accessibility applies to most criminal records, certain categories of information remain restricted:
- Active investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under Section 7(1)(d) of the Illinois FOIA
- Juvenile records: As mandated by the Illinois Juvenile Court Act, records involving minors are generally sealed and not available for public inspection
- Expunged or sealed records: Records that have been legally expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access
- Certain personal identifiers: Information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth may be redacted from otherwise public records
The following criminal record information is typically available to the public in Will County:
- Adult arrest records (post-charging)
- Court case information for adult defendants
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Will County must understand that while these records are legally accessible, practical access may require following specific procedures established by the maintaining agencies. Additionally, the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2635/3) grants individuals the right to review and challenge the accuracy of their own criminal history record information.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Will County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to access criminal records in Will County may utilize several established methods. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of information sought and its intended use.
For in-person requests at the Will County Circuit Clerk's Office:
- Visit the Records Division at the Will County Courthouse during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if available, date of birth or case number
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $0.25 per page for standard copies)
- Allow processing time, which varies based on request volume and complexity
Will County Circuit Clerk
14 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Will County Circuit Clerk
For mail requests to the Will County Sheriff's Office:
- Submit a written request on the official request form, available on the Sheriff's Office website
- Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and any other identifying information
- Specify the time period for which records are sought
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Include payment for applicable fees (money order or cashier's check)
- Mail the complete package to the Records Division
Will County Sheriff's Office Records Division
16911 W. Laraway Road
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 727-8575
Will County Sheriff's Office
For statewide criminal history information:
- Submit fingerprints through an authorized fingerprinting vendor
- Complete the Non-Criminal Justice Request Form
- Pay the required fee (currently $20 for name-based searches, $25 for fingerprint-based searches)
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing
Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-5160
Illinois State Police
Pursuant to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/7), requestors seeking criminal history information for employment, licensing, or other non-criminal justice purposes must have authorization from the subject of the inquiry or statutory authority to access such information.
How To Find Criminal Records in Will County Online?
Will County provides several digital platforms that allow members of the public to access criminal records information via the internet. These online resources offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information may vary by system.
The primary online resources for accessing Will County criminal records include:
Will County Circuit Clerk Public Case Search This portal provides access to court case information, including criminal cases filed in Will County courts.
- Navigate to the Circuit Clerk's website
- Select "Online Case Search" from the main menu
- Accept the terms of use agreement
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Review results, which typically include case type, filing date, charges, scheduled court dates, and case status
Will County Sheriff's Inmate Search This database allows users to verify if an individual is currently in custody at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.
- Visit the Will County Sheriff's website
- Select "Inmate Search" from the services menu
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- Review results, which include booking date, charges, bond information, and next court date
Illinois State Police Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) This statewide system provides access to comprehensive criminal history information, though access is restricted to authorized users.
- Register for an account at the CHIRP portal
- Complete identity verification
- Submit the appropriate request type
- Pay applicable fees
- Receive results electronically
Will County Court Records Access The county maintains a subscription-based service for comprehensive court records access.
- Register for an account through the Circuit Clerk's Office
- Select the appropriate subscription level
- Pay the subscription fee
- Access expanded case information, including document images for eligible case types
Users should note that pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online court records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers. Additionally, some case types may have restricted online access in accordance with state law.
Can You Search Will County Criminal Records for Free?
Will County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without payment of fees, in accordance with Illinois public records laws. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6) establishes that "each public body may charge fees reasonably calculated to reimburse its actual cost for reproducing and certifying public records," but also mandates that "documents shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where the public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest."
Free access to criminal records in Will County is available through the following means:
In-Person Inspection Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at no cost by visiting:
Will County Circuit Clerk's Office
14 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Will County Circuit Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Visitors must present valid identification
- Records may be viewed on public access terminals
- Staff assistance is available for locating records
- While inspection is free, printing or copying records incurs standard fees
Online Resources Several no-cost online resources provide access to criminal records information:
- Will County Circuit Clerk Public Case Search: This free online portal allows users to search basic case information by name or case number
- Will County Sheriff's Inmate Search: This database provides current custody information at no charge
- Illinois Sex Offender Registry: Maintained by the Illinois State Police, this free resource provides information on registered sex offenders residing in Will County
It is important to note that while basic record searches are often available at no cost, fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Complete criminal history reports
- Fingerprint-based background checks
- Expedited processing
- Subscription-based enhanced access
Additionally, pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.2b, certain statutorily mandated fees apply to court records regardless of the request method. However, fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals based on financial hardship.
What's Included in a Will County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Will County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case, but generally includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender and race
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Photograph/mugshot (if available)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Location of arrest
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to case
Disposition Information
- Final outcome of each charge (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status
Additional Information
- Active warrant status
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Veterans Court, etc.)
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history summary
In accordance with the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5), certain information may be excluded from publicly accessible criminal records, including sealed or expunged records, juvenile records (with limited exceptions), and records pertaining to orders of protection issued under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act.
How Long Does Will County Keep Criminal Records?
Will County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) and retention schedules approved by the Illinois State Records Commission. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various categories of criminal records, after which the records may be eligible for destruction or archival preservation.
The retention periods for common criminal record types in Will County include:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for murder, Class X felonies, and sexual offenses; 25 years after case closure for other felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure for most misdemeanors; 5 years for minor offenses
- Traffic Case Files: 7 years after case closure for DUI/DWI; 5 years for other traffic offenses
- Arrest Records: 7 years from date of arrest if no charges filed; otherwise maintained with corresponding case file
- Booking Records: 7 years from date of booking
- Jail Records: 5 years after release from custody
- Probation Records: 10 years after completion of probation term
- Court Dockets: Permanent retention
- Index to Criminal Cases: Permanent retention
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after the applicable retention period, electronic indices and basic case information are often maintained permanently. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained in that format even after destruction of the original paper documents.
The Illinois State Archives Local Records Management program oversees compliance with retention requirements and must approve any destruction of local government records, including criminal records maintained by Will County agencies.
Records that have been expunged pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 are removed from public access and physically destroyed or returned to the petitioner, regardless of standard retention periods. Similarly, sealed records are removed from public access but maintained by the relevant agencies for limited official purposes.