Search Marion County Criminal Court Records

Marion County criminal court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk in Salem, covering over 36,000 residents in south-central Illinois. This page covers how to find and access criminal case files in Marion County, including the online Judici database, in-person requests at the clerk's office, and the statewide ISP criminal history system used for background checks.

Marion County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk Tiffany Schicker manages the Marion County clerk's office at 100 East Main Street, Salem, IL 62881-0130. The direct phone number is 618/548-3856 and the fax is 618/740-0118. The office website at marioncounty-il.gov/circuit-clerk lists office hours, forms, and guidance on how to request copies of court records.

The clerk's office holds all case files filed in Marion County circuit courts. That includes criminal charges, civil suits, traffic cases, and family matters. For criminal court records, the clerk keeps charging documents, docket entries, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing information. If you are not sure whether a record exists or is available, calling the office at 618/548-3856 before visiting can save time.

Illinois law under 705 ILCS 105 makes court records public by default. You can review any public criminal case file at the clerk's office without charge. Copies cost a per-page fee. You do not need to give a reason or show identification to view public records.

The Illinois Courts Circuit Clerk Directory includes the Marion County clerk alongside all 102 county circuit clerks, with phone numbers, addresses, and website links.

Marion County Criminal Court Records Online

Marion County participates in Judici.com, which is the primary online tool for searching Marion County criminal court records. Judici lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Search results show the case type, charges filed, hearing dates, and the current case status. There is no cost for basic searches, and you do not need an account to use the service.

Judici covers 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. If you want to check for cases in neighboring counties at the same time, Judici supports multi-county name searches. That is useful when you are not sure which county a case was filed in.

Judici.com is the primary online database for Marion County criminal court records and covers 82 other Illinois counties in the same search interface.

For cases that went to an appellate or supreme court, use re:SearchIL. This platform became free on May 1, 2025. It holds filings from Illinois reviewing courts. If a Marion County case was appealed, re:SearchIL is where those records appear. The main Illinois Courts website has background on how the circuit court system works and links to all county clerks.

In-Person and Mail Records Requests

The Marion County courthouse is at 100 East Main Street in Salem. To view a record in person, go during regular business hours and provide the name of the subject and, if you have it, the case number. Staff will pull the file for your review. Certified copies can be ordered and paid for at the counter.

Mail requests should go to 100 East Main Street, Salem, IL 62881-0130. Include the full name of the person, the approximate time frame of the case, the type of record needed, and a return address or email. Without a case number, the office may take more time to locate the record. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents mailed back to you. The fax number is 618/740-0118 for requests the office can handle by fax.

Statewide Criminal History Through ISP BOI

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) keeps a statewide database of criminal history records compiled from courts in all 102 Illinois counties, including Marion. ISP BOI issues certified criminal history reports used for employment screening, licensing, and volunteer clearances. The office phone is 815/740-5160.

Online background check requests are available at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks. The Uniform Conviction Information Act, 20 ILCS 2635, sets limits on what ISP can release and to whom.

Individuals can check their own criminal history at no cost through CHIRP. If your record contains an error, CHIRP includes a formal challenge process. This self-review option is separate from the paid background check service used by employers and agencies.

Which Criminal Court Records Are Available

Most Marion County criminal court records are public. Charging documents, docket entries, sentencing orders, court motions, and plea records are all accessible. Illinois law presumes court records are open unless a statute specifically restricts them.

Certain records are not public. Juvenile delinquency cases are sealed. Records expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access. Adoption files are confidential. The Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, 705 ILCS 86, governs which documents the court can restrict. Even in public cases, Social Security numbers and financial account information are redacted.

The Illinois judiciary is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. FOIA requests do not work for court records. The right to see those files comes from the Clerks of Courts Act and Illinois Supreme Court rules, not FOIA.

Electronic Filing and Federal Records

eFileIL is the statewide system for submitting court filings in Illinois. Attorneys and parties in Marion County cases use eFileIL for most document submissions. Members of the public who want to view filed documents do so through the clerk's office or Judici, not directly through eFileIL.

Federal criminal charges are a separate system. Marion County falls within the Southern District of Illinois for federal court purposes. To search U.S. District Court records, use PACER. State criminal cases and federal cases do not appear in the same database, so you may need to check both if the nature of the charges is unclear.

Legal Aid and Court Help

Illinois Legal Aid Online is a free resource that covers criminal records, expungement eligibility, sealing procedures, and how to work through the court system. It is written in plain language and applies to Marion County cases within its statewide guidance. If you want to talk to someone, Illinois Court Help offers live chat with court navigators who explain procedures without providing legal advice. Neither service costs anything to use.

Nearby Counties

Marion County shares borders with several other Illinois counties, each with its own circuit court and clerk's office.