Franklin County Criminal Court Records

Franklin County criminal court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Benton, serving more than 37,000 residents in southern Illinois. This page explains how to search, request, and access criminal case records in Franklin County through online tools, in-person visits to the clerk's office, and statewide databases that include this county's case data.

Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk James Muir runs the clerk's office for Franklin County. The mailing address is P.O. Box 485, Benton, IL 62812-2264. The main phone line is 618/439-2011 and the fax number is 618/439-4119. You can find current office hours, downloadable forms, and guidance for records requests on the clerk's official website at franklincounty-il.gov/circuit-clerk.

The clerk's office is the official custodian of all case files originating in Franklin County courts. That covers criminal charges, civil disputes, traffic matters, and domestic cases. For criminal court records specifically, the clerk holds the original charging documents, docket entries, court orders, sentencing records, and any motions filed during a case. Staff can tell you what records are available for a given case and what fees apply for copies.

Under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act, court records in Illinois are public by default. You can review any public case file at the clerk's office without paying a fee. If you need a physical copy, a per-page charge applies. You do not have to explain why you want to see a record.

The Illinois Courts Circuit Clerk Directory lists Franklin County and all other Illinois circuit clerks with contact details and office links.

Search Criminal Court Records Online

Franklin County participates in Judici.com, the main online case search tool used by 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. You can search Franklin County criminal court records by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results show the case type, charges listed, scheduled hearings, and the current status of the matter. Basic searches are free and require no account or login.

If you need to check whether someone has cases in more than one county, Judici lets you run a single name search across multiple counties at the same time. That saves time compared to checking each county separately.

Judici.com provides online access to Franklin County criminal court records as part of a multi-county Illinois case search database.

For cases that moved to an appellate court, use re:SearchIL. Since May 1, 2025, this platform has been free to use and covers appellate and supreme court filings. If a Franklin County conviction was appealed, re:SearchIL is the place to find those records. The Illinois Courts website also provides background on how the circuit court system works and links to every county clerk in the state.

In-Person and Mail Access

To look at records in person, visit the Franklin County courthouse in Benton during regular business hours. Bring the full name of the person and, if you have it, a case number. Staff will pull the file. Certified copies can be requested at the counter and paid for on the spot.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 485, Benton, IL 62812-2264. Your letter should include the subject's name, an estimate of when the case was filed, the type of record you need, and a contact phone number or email. If you don't have a case number, allow extra time for the office to do a manual search. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail.

The fax number for the office is 618/439-4119. Some basic requests can be submitted by fax, though calling first is a good idea to confirm what the office will process that way.

Statewide Criminal History Records

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) maintains a statewide criminal history database that draws conviction data from courts across all 102 Illinois counties, including Franklin County. ISP BOI issues certified criminal history reports that are used for background checks in a range of contexts. The office can be reached at 815/740-5160.

You can request a background check at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks. These reports are used for professional licensing, volunteer screening, and other purposes. The Uniform Conviction Information Act, 20 ILCS 2635, governs what ISP can share and with whom.

Individuals who want to view their own criminal history can do so for free using the CHIRP system at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. If you find an error in your record, CHIRP includes a process to challenge inaccurate data.

The ISP Bureau of Identification holds a statewide conviction database that supplements Franklin County criminal court records for background searches covering multiple counties.

What Criminal Court Records Are Public

Most Franklin County criminal court records are open to the public. Charging documents, court orders, docket entries, plea agreements, and sentencing records are all accessible. Illinois law presumes court records are public unless a specific statute says otherwise.

Several categories are restricted. Juvenile delinquency cases are sealed. Records that were expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public view. Adoption files are confidential. The Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, 705 ILCS 86, sets out which records a court can restrict. Even in public cases, certain data is redacted. Social Security numbers, financial account details, and similar sensitive information are not released.

The Illinois judiciary is exempt from the state Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. You cannot file a FOIA request with the clerk's office to get court records. Public access to court files comes from the Clerks of Courts Act and court rules, not from FOIA.

Electronic Filing and Case Resources

Illinois courts use eFileIL for electronic case filings. Most civil and criminal filings in Franklin County go through this system. If you are a party to a case or an attorney, eFileIL is where documents get submitted. Members of the public who want to review filed documents still go through the clerk's office or Judici.

If you believe a case may involve federal charges or a federal investigation, use PACER to search U.S. District Court records. Franklin County falls within the Southern District of Illinois. Federal and state criminal cases are separate systems, so you may need to check both depending on the nature of the charges.

Legal Aid and Self-Help

Illinois Legal Aid Online covers expungement, record sealing, and how to navigate court processes in plain language. It includes Franklin County in its statewide guidance and is a free resource. Illinois Court Help offers live chat with court navigators who can explain procedures without giving legal advice. Neither service requires an appointment.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is surrounded by other southern Illinois counties, each with its own circuit court clerk and records office.