Criminal records in Tazewell County, Illinois, are available through several channels—from online tools to official court systems and law enforcement agencies. TazewellCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Illinois state courts portal, the Circuit Clerk's office, and the Tazewell County Sheriff's office. Each of these sources covers different types of records—from current cases to arrest histories.
How to Search Criminal Records in Tazewell
Searching for criminal records begins with identifying the needed source. Here are the main methods:
Through TazewellCourt.us
Visit TazewellCourt.us and use the search by name or case number. For more accurate results, prepare:
- Full name of the person (in English)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number, if you have it
Online through Official Portals
Tazewell County no longer uses the Judici system. Instead, court records are available through the portal linked on the Courts page on the county's website.
At the state level, the re:SearchIL system implements the Illinois Supreme Court's Remote Access Policy. Through it, case parties and the public can view certain categories of court documents.
Additional online resources:
- Inmate Lookup (Custody) — current list of individuals in the county jail
- Warrant Lookup — check for active arrest warrants
- IDOC Inmate Search — Illinois Department of Corrections database; search by last name, IDOC number, or date of birth
- Criminal History through ISP — Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains state-level conviction data
In Person
The Tazewell County Courthouse has public access computers where visitors can view court documents and conduct legal research. The Circuit Clerk can assist in locating a specific case.
Written Request
Law enforcement records can be requested through a FOIA request. The Sheriff's office accepts FOIA requests in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.).
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, send a request to the Bureau of Identification at the Illinois State Police. This requires fingerprints and a fee.
Search Tazewell Criminal Cases by Case Number
Criminal case numbers in Illinois follow a standard format that changed in 2023 with the introduction of a unified statewide numbering system.
The new format looks like this:
YYYY-CC-XXXXXX
- YYYY — year the case was filed
- CC — two-letter case type code (e.g., CF for criminal felonies, CM for misdemeanors, TR for traffic violations)
- XXXXXX — sequential number
Older cases may have a different format, which included a two-digit year and a letter code. If you have an old-style case number, the court clerk can help locate the corresponding record.
Searching by case number is the most accurate way to find a specific case, as it eliminates confusion with identical names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Tazewell
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Compiled Statutes of Illinois (e.g., 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05 — aggravated battery) |
| Severity | Felony (classes X, 1–4), Misdemeanor (classes A–C), or Petty Offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend charges after filing—new articles are reflected in the case materials |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — the case is in the hearing or trial stage
- Disposed — the court has made a decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — first court appearance, charges announced, bail set
- Preliminary Hearing — judge assesses evidence sufficiency to proceed (for felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussion between parties before trial
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentence delivery
- Review — checking compliance with probation or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Conviction by court verdict or guilty plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquittal after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a guilty verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Withheld Judgment | Court withheld judgment, usually conditional on meeting certain requirements (e.g., Court Supervision) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Tazewell
Certified copies of court criminal records are issued by the Circuit Clerk. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse. Bring a photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), case number, and type of document needed. Include payment in the form of a money order.
A list of Illinois Circuit Court Clerks is available on the state court system's website.
State-Level Criminal History
A full criminal background check can be ordered through the Bureau of Identification at the Illinois State Police. This requires fingerprints, a completed request form, and a fee.
Sheriff's Requests
Arrest, incident, and custody records are maintained by the sheriff's office. Requests are submitted through the FOIA procedure.
Expungement and Sealing
If a criminal record has been expunged or sealed, it will not appear in public searches. Standardized forms for filing a petition for expungement or sealing are available on the Illinois Courts website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Tazewell
Fees for copies of court documents are set according to Illinois law (705 ILCS 105/27.2a). Below are typical rates:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 – $10.00 |
| Criminal history check through ISP (fingerprint-based) | $20.00+ |
| FOIA request to sheriff | First 50 pages usually free; thereafter per page |
Check exact amounts directly with the Circuit Clerk or sheriff's office, as they may change.
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents (in person) — usually same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests to Circuit Clerk — 5 to 15 business days
- Check through ISP — electronic requests processed faster; paper may take several weeks
- FOIA requests — response within 5 business days by law, with a possible extension of an additional 5 days
Payment at the Circuit Clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Confirm if cards are accepted before visiting.