Find Jefferson County Criminal Court Records

Jefferson County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Mt. Vernon, serving more than 36,000 residents in southern Illinois. This page walks through how to search and access criminal case files in Jefferson County, from online databases like Judici to in-person requests at the clerk's office and statewide background check tools run by the Illinois State Police.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk Randy Pollard, Jr. oversees the Jefferson County clerk's office in Mt. Vernon. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1266, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-1266. The main phone is 618/244-8008 and fax is 618/244-8029. Office hours, forms, and information on requesting copies are available through the clerk's website at jeffersoncountyillinois.com/circuit-clerk.

The clerk's office is the official keeper of all court filings in Jefferson County. That includes criminal charges, civil cases, traffic matters, and family proceedings. For criminal court records specifically, the office holds charging documents, docket sheets, court orders, sentencing records, and any filings made during the life of the case. Staff can confirm what records exist and what it costs to get copies.

Under 705 ILCS 105, court records in Illinois are open to the public. There is no charge to view a public case file at the clerk's office. Copies carry a per-page fee. You do not have to state a reason when you ask to look at a public record.

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk website provides access to forms, hours, and online case search tools for Jefferson County criminal court records.

Jefferson County Criminal Records Search Online

Jefferson County is part of Judici.com, the primary online search tool for Jefferson County criminal court records. Through Judici, you can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The results include the case type, charges listed, hearing dates, and current status. Basic searches are free and do not need a login or account.

Judici serves 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. A name search can run across multiple counties in one step, which helps when you are not sure which county handled a specific case.

Judici.com provides online access to Jefferson County criminal court records alongside 81 other Illinois counties through a unified case search platform.

For records of cases that were appealed, use re:SearchIL. Since May 1, 2025, that platform has been free to use and includes filings from Illinois appellate and supreme courts. If a Jefferson County conviction moved to a reviewing court, re:SearchIL has those documents. The Illinois Courts website provides additional background on the circuit court system and links to all county circuit clerk offices.

In-Person Visits and Mail Requests

To view records in person, go to the Jefferson County courthouse in Mt. Vernon during regular business hours. Bring the full name of the subject and a case number if you have one. Staff will retrieve the file. Certified copies can be requested and paid for at the counter on the same visit.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1266, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-1266. Include the full name, an estimate of the filing period, the type of document needed, and a phone number or email where the office can reach you. If you don't have a case number, expect some delay while staff searches manually. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you need documents returned by mail. Fax requests can go to 618/244-8029, though it is a good idea to call first to confirm what the office will handle by fax.

Statewide Criminal History Records

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) maintains a statewide criminal history database that draws from courts in all 102 Illinois counties, including Jefferson. ISP BOI issues certified criminal history reports used for background checks in a wide range of situations. You can reach the office at 815/740-5160.

Background checks can be requested online at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks. The Uniform Conviction Information Act, 20 ILCS 2635, governs what ISP can share and with whom. These reports are separate from the case files held by the Jefferson County circuit clerk.

Individuals wanting to see their own criminal history can do so for free using the CHIRP portal at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. CHIRP also lets you challenge inaccurate data in your record through a formal review process.

The ISP Bureau of Identification compiles conviction data from all Illinois counties into a single statewide database, complementing Jefferson County criminal court records for broader background searches.

What Is and Is Not Public

Most Jefferson County criminal court records are public. Charging documents, court orders, docket entries, plea records, and sentencing information can all be viewed. Illinois law presumes court records are open to the public unless a specific statute says otherwise.

Some records are not available. Juvenile delinquency matters are sealed by default. Records 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 courts can restrict from public access. Even in cases that are open, certain data is redacted, including Social Security numbers and financial account details.

The Illinois judiciary is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. You cannot use a FOIA request to get court records from the clerk. The right of public access comes from the Clerks of Courts Act and Illinois Supreme Court rules.

Electronic Filing

eFileIL is the platform used by attorneys and parties to submit documents in Jefferson County cases electronically. Members of the public who want to review filings use the clerk's office or Judici rather than eFileIL directly.

If a matter involves federal charges, Jefferson County falls within the Southern District of Illinois for federal court purposes. Federal case records are on PACER, which is a separate system from the state court records held by the Jefferson County clerk.

Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources

Illinois Legal Aid Online is free and covers expungement, record sealing, and how to work through the courts. It covers Jefferson County within its statewide content. Illinois Court Help offers live chat with court navigators who explain processes without giving legal advice. Both services are free and do not require an appointment.

Nearby Counties

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