Perry County Criminal Court Records

Perry County criminal court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk in Pinckneyville, serving this southern Illinois county of about 20,000 residents. This page covers online access through Judici, how to request records from the Pinckneyville courthouse, how the Illinois State Police handles statewide criminal history data, and the laws that govern public access to court files in Perry County.

Perry County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk Tricia Kelly Chandler manages the Perry County clerk's office. The mailing address is P.O. Box 219, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0219. The main phone is 618/357-6726 and the fax is 618/357-8336. The clerk's office is the official keeper of all Perry County court records, covering criminal charges, civil cases, traffic matters, and family court filings.

For criminal records, the clerk holds the full case file from the initial charging instrument through final disposition. That includes complaints, indictments, bond orders, docket entries, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing documents. Any public case file can be reviewed at the Pinckneyville courthouse at no cost. Copies carry a per-page charge. You do not have to explain why you want access to a public record.

Under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act, circuit court clerks in Illinois must make public records available for inspection. The Perry County clerk operates under that same requirement. Calling the office at 618/357-6726 before your visit is a good idea, especially for older cases or multiple file requests.

The Illinois Courts Circuit Clerk Directory lists Tricia Kelly Chandler as Perry County's clerk and provides the Pinckneyville courthouse contact details.

Search Perry County Criminal Records Online

Perry County is part of Judici.com, the free online case search tool used by 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. You can search Perry County criminal court records by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show the case type, filed charges, scheduled hearings, and current status. No login or subscription is required for basic searches.

The multi-county search feature on Judici is useful here because Perry sits among several southern Illinois counties. A single name search can pull results from Perry alongside Randolph, Jackson, Franklin, Washington, and Jefferson in one query. That covers the surrounding area without requiring five separate searches.

Judici.com provides free access to Perry County criminal court records and supports combined searches across neighboring southern Illinois counties.

For Perry County cases that went to the appellate courts, use re:SearchIL. This platform has been free since May 1, 2025. The Illinois Courts website explains how the circuit and appellate court systems connect and links to every county clerk in Illinois.

In-Person and Mail Records Access

To view records at the courthouse, visit the Perry County circuit court in Pinckneyville during regular business hours. Bring the subject's full name and case number if available. Staff will locate the file. Certified copies can be ordered and paid for at the counter the same day.

For mail requests, write to: Perry County Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 219, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0219. Include the name of the person whose records you want, an approximate filing date, the type of record needed, and your contact information. Without a case number, the office will do a manual name search, which takes more time. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so documents can be sent back to you. The fax number is 618/357-8336; call first to confirm what the office accepts that way.

Statewide Criminal History from ISP BOI

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) collects conviction data from all 102 Illinois counties, including Perry. When a Perry County criminal case results in a conviction, that data is reported to ISP BOI and entered into the statewide database. The bureau can be reached at 815/740-5160.

Online background checks are available at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks. Certified ISP BOI reports are used for professional licensing, volunteer screening, and other regulated background check purposes. What ISP can release and to whom is controlled by the Uniform Conviction Information Act, 20 ILCS 2635.

Individuals can check their own criminal history for free using CHIRP at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. The system includes a dispute process if your record has errors.

The ISP Bureau of Identification aggregates Perry County conviction data with records from every other Illinois circuit court into a single statewide criminal history database.

Public and Restricted Records in Perry County

Most Perry County criminal court records are available to the public. Charging documents, docket entries, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing records are all accessible. Illinois law starts from the premise that court records are open unless something specific says otherwise.

Several types of records are restricted. Juvenile delinquency records are sealed. Cases expunged or sealed by court order are not available. Adoption records are confidential. The Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, 705 ILCS 86, defines which records courts may restrict and what procedures apply. In public cases, sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers and financial account details are redacted before records are given out.

The Illinois judiciary is exempt from FOIA. The Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, does not apply to courts. Sending a FOIA request to the Perry County clerk will not work for court records. Your access rights come from the Clerks of Courts Act and court rules.

Electronic Filing and Federal Courts

Attorneys and parties in Perry County cases file documents through eFileIL, Illinois' electronic filing system. Members of the public still access records through the Pinckneyville clerk's office or via Judici online.

Perry County is within the Southern District of Illinois for federal court purposes. If a matter might involve federal charges alongside state charges, check PACER for U.S. District Court records. Federal and state criminal systems are separate.

Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources

Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free plain-language guidance on record sealing, expungement, and how to navigate court record requests in Perry County and across Illinois. Illinois Court Help has live chat with trained court navigators who can explain procedures without providing legal advice. No appointment is needed for either service.

Nearby Counties

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