Search Springfield Criminal Court Records

Springfield criminal court records are filed and maintained at the Sangamon County Circuit Court, which serves the state capital and all of Sangamon County. With a population near 113,000, Springfield sees a steady volume of criminal cases each year, from traffic offenses to felony charges. The Circuit Clerk holds all case files for arraignments, trials, plea hearings, and sentencing. This page explains how to find and access those records, whether you want to search online, visit the courthouse, or make a mail request.

Sangamon County Circuit Court

All criminal cases from Springfield are heard at the Sangamon County Circuit Court, located at 200 South 9th Street, Room 405, Springfield, IL 62701. Circuit Clerk Joseph B. Roesch manages court records for this location. The clerk's office is open during standard business hours on weekdays. You can reach the office directly at 217/753-6674.

Springfield is the county seat of Sangamon County and also serves as the state capital of Illinois. This means the court here handles cases that come through the county, not just city limits. Criminal cases filed in Springfield go through this same courthouse. For the county page with more detail on Sangamon County courts, see Sangamon County.

The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk website has information on court divisions, how to get copies, and contact details for specific departments. You can also find general information about local court procedures there.

Online Case Search via Judici

Sangamon County uses Judici.com for public online case access. Judici is a third-party platform that hosts case data from 82 Illinois counties. You can search by defendant name, case number, or attorney name. Results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and dispositions.

The screenshot below shows the Judici search interface used by Sangamon County and many other Illinois counties for public criminal case lookups.

Once on Judici, choose Sangamon County from the county list and enter search terms. Basic case data is free. Some detailed documents may require a small fee or account registration. Judici does not include Cook County cases.

re:SearchIL Statewide Portal

Illinois launched a free statewide court records portal called re:SearchIL on May 1, 2025. It is available at researchil.tylerhost.net. This system lets you search criminal cases across all participating Illinois circuit courts without needing to know which county a case is in first.

re:SearchIL is particularly useful if you are not sure which county a case was filed in, or if you want to do a broader search across the state. The portal is free to use and does not require registration for basic searches.

In-Person Record Access

You can visit the Sangamon County Circuit Court clerk's office in person to view or request copies of criminal case records. The clerk's office is in Room 405 at 200 South 9th Street in Springfield. Staff can help you locate files, check case status, and order certified copies.

Bring the defendant's full name and, if you have it, the case number. This makes the search faster. You do not need to state a reason for your request. Criminal court records in Illinois are generally public documents under 705 ILCS 105, which governs clerk of courts duties and public access to court files.

Some records may be sealed or expunged. Juvenile cases are not public. If a record has been expunged, the clerk will tell you the case does not exist. Sealed records are visible only to authorized parties.

Springfield Police Department Records

The Springfield Police Department maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking information that may relate to criminal court cases. The department is located at 800 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62701, and can be reached at (217) 788-8311.

The screenshot below is from the Springfield Police Department website, which provides information on how to request police reports and related records.

Police records are separate from court records. An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody. A court record shows what happened after the arrest, including charges filed, hearings, and the outcome. You may need both types depending on what you are looking for.

State Criminal History Records

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) maintains the statewide criminal history database. This is different from local court records. The ISP BOI collects fingerprint-based criminal history from all Illinois law enforcement agencies and courts.

The ISP BOI is located at 260 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432, and can be reached at 815/740-5160. You can request your own criminal history record through the bureau. Employers and certain agencies may request records through specific authorized channels.

State criminal history records are governed in part by 20 ILCS 2635, which sets rules on how criminal history information is collected, maintained, and disclosed in Illinois.

Electronic Filing and Court Records

Illinois courts use eFileIL, the statewide electronic filing system, at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Attorneys and self-represented parties can file documents through this system. Records submitted through eFileIL become part of the court file and are accessible through the same channels as paper filings.

If you want to access filed documents, the clerk's office or Judici are typically the best starting points. eFileIL itself is for filing documents, not for searching existing records.

Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources

If you need help understanding a criminal court record or navigating a case, Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org provides free legal information and tools. The site covers topics like expungement, sealing records, court procedures, and how to find an attorney.

For Sangamon County specifically, Prairie State Legal Services serves the Springfield area and may be able to provide guidance or referrals. The clerk's office can also point you to self-help resources available at the courthouse.

What Springfield Criminal Court Records Contain

A standard criminal case file at the Sangamon County Circuit Court will typically include the charging document (indictment or information), bail or bond orders, attorney appearances, motions filed by both sides, hearing and trial transcripts if made, and the final judgment or sentencing order.

Misdemeanor and felony cases are both public. Traffic cases that carry criminal penalties (such as DUI) are also part of the court record. Petty offenses may be handled differently depending on the charge. If you need a certified copy of a court order or judgment, you can request one from the clerk's office. Certified copies carry the court seal.

Case numbers in Sangamon County follow a standard Illinois format. Felony cases often start with "CF" and the year. Misdemeanor cases start with "CM." Traffic cases use "TR." Knowing the case type can help you find records faster when searching online or in person.

Nearby Illinois Cities

These nearby cities also have criminal case records filed at the county level.