Morgan County Criminal Court Records

Morgan County criminal court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Jacksonville, covering about 32,600 residents in west-central Illinois. This page explains how to access criminal case records in Morgan County through Judici online search, in-person visits to the clerk's office, mail requests, and the Illinois State Police statewide criminal history system for broader background searches.

Morgan County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk Jennifer Bonjean manages the Morgan County clerk's office at 300 W. State St., Jacksonville, IL 62650-1165. The phone number is 217/243-5419 and the fax is 217/243-2009. The clerk's website at morgancounty-il.gov/circuit-clerk has current hours, forms, and guidance on requesting court records.

The clerk's office is the official keeper of all case records filed in Morgan County courts. Criminal court records held there include charging documents, docket entries, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing records, along with all other filings made during a case. The office also manages civil, traffic, and family case records. Staff can confirm whether a record exists and explain what fees apply for copies.

Illinois law under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act, makes court records public by default. Viewing a public criminal case file at the clerk's office is free. Per-page fees apply when you request copies. You don't have to state a reason when asking to see a public record.

The Illinois Courts Circuit Clerk Directory includes Morgan County and all other Illinois circuit clerks with addresses, phone numbers, and website links in one place.

Morgan County Criminal Records Search Online

Morgan County participates in Judici.com, the main online database for Morgan County criminal court records. Judici lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include case type, charges, hearing dates, and current status. Basic searches are free and no login is needed.

Judici covers 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. A single name search can pull results from multiple counties at once. That's useful when you want to check neighboring counties like Sangamon or Macoupin at the same time you look at Morgan County.

Judici.com provides online access to Morgan County criminal court records as part of a statewide system that covers 82 Illinois counties.

For cases that moved to an appellate court, use re:SearchIL. This platform became free on May 1, 2025, and includes filings from the Illinois appellate and supreme courts. If a Morgan County criminal case was appealed, those records will be in re:SearchIL. Federal charges in Morgan County fall under the Central District of Illinois; those case records are available through PACER.

In-Person and Mail Access

To view records in person, go to 300 W. State St. in Jacksonville during regular business hours. Bring the subject's full name and a case number if available. Staff will retrieve the file. Certified copies can be ordered and paid for at the counter during your visit.

Mail requests should go to 300 W. State St., Jacksonville, IL 62650-1165. Your letter should include the name, an estimate of when the case was filed, the type of document needed, and a contact number or email. Without a case number, the search takes longer. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail. The fax number is 217/243-2009. Calling ahead at 217/243-5419 is a good idea before sending a fax request.

Statewide Criminal History Records

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) maintains a statewide criminal history database drawing conviction data from courts in all 102 Illinois counties, including Morgan. ISP BOI issues certified criminal history reports used for background checks, licensing, and other screening purposes. The office phone is 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 may share and with whom. Individuals can check their own history for free using the CHIRP portal at chirp.isp.illinois.gov, which also includes a dispute process for correcting errors in your own record.

The ISP Bureau of Identification holds a statewide conviction database that works alongside Morgan County criminal court records to support broader background searches.

What Records Are and Are Not Public

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

Certain records are not available. Juvenile delinquency cases are sealed. Records expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public view. Adoption records are confidential. The Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, 705 ILCS 86, defines what the court can keep from public access. Social Security numbers and financial account details are redacted in otherwise public records.

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

Electronic Filing

Morgan County courts use eFileIL for electronic document submissions. Attorneys and parties submit filings through eFileIL. The public accesses filed documents through the clerk's office or Judici rather than through the eFileIL system directly.

Legal Aid and Self-Help

Illinois Legal Aid Online is free and covers expungement, record sealing, and court processes in plain language. Morgan County is within its statewide scope. Illinois Court Help has live chat with court navigators who can explain what steps to take without giving legal advice. Both are available without an appointment or fee.

Nearby Counties

Morgan County is in west-central Illinois and is surrounded by several other counties, each with its own circuit court and clerk's office.