Search Randolph County Criminal Court Records

Randolph County criminal court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Chester, covering all criminal cases heard in the 20th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search, access, and request copies of criminal court records in Randolph County, Illinois, whether you need them for legal, personal, or research purposes.

Randolph County Circuit Court Clerk Office

Julie A. Carnahan is the Randolph County Circuit Court Clerk. The office is located at 1 Taylor Street, Room 302, Chester, IL 62233. Call the clerk at 618/826-5000 or send a fax to 618/826-3761. The clerk's official website is at randolphcounty-il.gov/circuit-clerk.

The circuit court clerk is the official custodian of all criminal court records in Randolph County. That covers criminal complaints, informations, indictments, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and case dockets. Staff can search the index by defendant name or case number. Certified copies are available for fees established by state statute under 705 ILCS 105, which sets uniform copy fees for circuit court clerks across Illinois.

Walk-in visits during regular business hours are the most direct way to get what you need. If you can't come in, a written mail request works too. Include the defendant's name, the approximate filing year, and the case number if you have it. Send a check or money order for the copy fee. The office will search and return what they find.

Searching Randolph County Cases Online

Randolph County is one of 82 Illinois counties that participates in Judici.com. The Judici platform lets you search criminal case records by name or case number at no charge. Results include charges, court dates, and final dispositions. Judici is not an official government portal, but it pulls data directly from the circuit court system and is a useful starting point.

Below is a screenshot of the Judici search interface used for Randolph County and other participating Illinois counties.

Search Randolph County cases on Judici.com

Older cases may not appear in Judici. For complete records, the clerk's office in Chester is the definitive source.

The state also runs re:SearchIL, a free public case search tool available since May 1, 2025. It covers both criminal and civil cases from courts across Illinois, including Randolph County. No account is needed for a basic name search. Find it at researchil.tylerhost.net.

Below is a screenshot of the re:SearchIL portal, which gives free access to Illinois court case data statewide.

Search Randolph County records on re:SearchIL

Both tools help you locate cases. Neither can produce certified copies, which must be ordered from the clerk in Chester.

Which Randolph County Records Are Public

Adult criminal court records in Illinois are generally public. Anyone can access criminal complaints, indictments, hearing dockets, motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders filed in Randolph County Circuit Court. You don't have to state a reason. The records are open.

A few categories are not public. Juvenile criminal records are closed under Illinois law. Sealed or expunged records are not available. Personal information like Social Security numbers and financial account data is redacted from public copies. Cases involving adoptions are also restricted. If you request a sealed case, the clerk can confirm it exists but won't provide the file without a court order authorizing access.

One thing worth knowing: Illinois courts are exempt from the state's Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140. Sending a FOIA request to the Randolph County Circuit Court Clerk will not get you results. Court records are governed by judicial rules and statutes, not FOIA.

Criminal History Records Through ISP

The Randolph County clerk only has records for cases filed in that county. For a broader Illinois criminal history check, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification handles statewide criminal history records. You can reach the BOI at 815/740-5160 or visit isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification.

The BOI offers fingerprint-based background checks for employers and licensing agencies. Fees and processing steps depend on the type of check. Individuals who want to see their own criminal history can use CHIRP, the Criminal History Information Request Portal, at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. Reviewing your own record is free under the Access and Review process.

Electronic Filing and Court Resources

Attorneys handling criminal cases in Randolph County file documents through the Illinois e-filing system at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. If you're representing yourself, call the clerk's office at 618/826-5000 to confirm whether e-filing is available for your case type. Some criminal filings still require in-person submission at the courthouse in Chester.

The Illinois Courts website has general information about the state court system, including the full directory of circuit court clerks at illinoiscourts.gov. Randolph County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, which also includes St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Perry counties.

Legal Aid for Randolph County Residents

If you need help understanding criminal court records or a case in Randolph County, free resources are available. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has step-by-step guides on expungements, criminal procedure, and how to read court documents. Illinois Court Help at ilcourthelp.gov offers plain-language guidance for people handling matters without an attorney.

These sites provide information, not legal advice. For any serious criminal matter, consulting a licensed attorney is strongly recommended. The Randolph County clerk's office staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal guidance.

Nearby Counties

Each county near Randolph has its own circuit court clerk and its own search options for criminal records.