Hardin County Criminal Court Records

Hardin County criminal court records are held by Circuit Clerk Nancy Pennell in Elizabethtown, serving one of the smallest counties in Illinois at roughly 3,700 residents along the Ohio River. This page covers how to search those records online through Judici, how to contact the clerk's office directly, and what other state databases apply when you need a broader look at someone's criminal history in Illinois.

Hardin County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk Nancy Pennell manages court records for Hardin County. The mailing address is P.O. Box 308, Elizabethtown, IL 62931-0308. The main phone is 618/287-2735. The fax number is 618/287-2713. Because Hardin is a small county, the clerk's office handles a modest docket, but all records are maintained the same way as any Illinois circuit clerk office.

The clerk keeps the official case files for every matter filed in Hardin County Circuit Court. That includes criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors and petty offenses to felony cases. Within each criminal file you'll find the charging documents, court orders, hearing dates, plea information, and the final disposition. Staff can confirm what records exist for a case and what fees apply for copies. Physical inspection of public records is free; copies carry a per-page charge set by statute.

Under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act, Illinois court records are presumed public. You don't need to state a reason when asking to see a file. You simply identify the case or the person, and staff will locate it. If the record is sealed or expunged by court order, the clerk will tell you it is not available.

The Illinois Courts Circuit Clerk Directory lists all 102 Illinois county clerks, including Hardin County, with current contact information.

Search Hardin County Criminal Cases Online

Hardin County participates in Judici.com, the third-party case management portal used by 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. You can search Hardin County criminal court records by defendant name, case number, or attorney. Results include the charge description, case type, court dates, and current status. No login or fee is needed for a basic name search.

Judici is useful when you want to check cases across several southern Illinois counties at once. You can select Hardin alongside neighboring counties like Pope, Gallatin, Saline, and Johnson and run a single search. That multi-county option saves time if you aren't sure which county a case was filed in.

Judici.com gives online access to Hardin County criminal case data as part of a statewide multi-county search tool.

For cases that were appealed beyond the circuit court level, use re:SearchIL. This platform has been free since May 1, 2025, and covers Illinois appellate and supreme court records. Hardin County sits in the Fifth Judicial District, so appellate matters go through that court. The Illinois Courts website explains circuit structure and links out to each clerk.

In-Person and Mail Requests

To view records in person, go to the Hardin County courthouse in Elizabethtown during regular business hours. Bring the full name and, if you have it, the case number. A staff member will pull the file. Certified copies can be ordered and paid for at the counter.

Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 308, Elizabethtown, IL 62931-0308. Include the subject's name, the approximate filing date, the type of record you need, and a phone number or email address so staff can reach you with questions. If you don't know the case number, staff will do a manual search, which can add a few days. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail rather than picked up.

The fax line is 618/287-2713. Some basic inquiries can be sent by fax, but call first to confirm what the office will process that way. For urgent requests, a phone call is faster.

Statewide Criminal History Records

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification collects conviction data from all 102 Illinois counties, including Hardin. ISP BOI issues certified criminal history reports used for professional licensing, volunteer screening, firearms checks, and other purposes. The main contact number for ISP BOI is 815/740-5160.

Background check requests can be submitted at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks. The Uniform Conviction Information Act, 20 ILCS 2635, governs access to these records and sets out who can receive what type of information. Not all arrest records appear in these reports; only convictions and certain other qualifying records are included.

If you want to check your own record at no charge, use the CHIRP portal at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. CHIRP lets individuals view their own history and submit a challenge if the data is wrong. This is a free service that does not require an attorney.

The ISP Bureau of Identification holds conviction data for all Illinois counties and supplements local Hardin County court records for multi-county background searches.

What Records Are Public in Hardin County

Most criminal court records in Hardin County are open to the public. Charging documents, docket sheets, court orders, plea and sentencing records, and probation conditions are generally available. Illinois law presumes court records are public unless a statute says otherwise.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile delinquency cases are sealed by law. Records expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access. Adoption cases are confidential. The Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, 705 ILCS 86, spells out which categories a court can restrict. Even in public cases, things like Social Security numbers, bank account details, and certain identifying information are redacted before release.

It's worth knowing that the Illinois judiciary is exempt from the state Freedom of Information Act. You cannot get court records by filing a FOIA request with the clerk. Access comes through the Clerks of Courts Act and court rules instead. That distinction matters if someone tells you to file a FOIA to get case documents from a circuit clerk.

Electronic Filing and Federal Courts

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

If a matter involves federal charges, Hardin County falls within the Southern District of Illinois. Federal criminal cases are separate from the state system. Use PACER to search U.S. District Court records. You may need to check both systems if the conduct involved potential federal violations.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Illinois Legal Aid Online covers expungement eligibility, the record-sealing process, and other court procedures in plain language. It's free and includes guidance relevant to Hardin County residents. Illinois Court Help offers live chat with court navigators who can walk through procedures without giving legal advice. No appointment is needed for either service.

Nearby Counties

Hardin County borders several other southern Illinois counties, each with its own circuit clerk and records office.