Scott County Criminal Court Records

Scott County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Winchester, covering all criminal cases filed in one of Illinois' smallest counties, with just under 5,000 residents in west-central Illinois. This page covers how to search those records online, how to contact the Winchester courthouse, what statewide criminal history resources exist through the Illinois State Police, and the rules governing public access to court files in Scott County.

Scott County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Clerk Staci J. Evans manages the Scott County clerk's office at 35 East Market Street, Winchester, IL 62694-1216. The main phone is 217/742-5217 and the fax is 217/742-5853. The clerk's office is the official keeper of all Scott County court records, including criminal charges, civil matters, traffic cases, and family court filings.

For criminal court records, the clerk holds the complete case file from the initial charge through the final court order. That covers complaints, indictments, bond records, motions, docket entries, plea agreements, and sentencing records. Any public case file can be reviewed at the Winchester courthouse at no cost. Copies carry a per-page fee. You don't need to explain your reason for requesting a public record.

Scott County is one of the least populous counties in Illinois. The clerk's office is small. Calling 217/742-5217 before your visit is always a good idea to confirm hours and whether a specific case is on file. For older records, check with staff about how those files are stored and retrieved.

The legal basis for public access to court records is the Clerks of Courts Act, 705 ILCS 105. That statute requires circuit court clerks statewide, including Staci Evans in Winchester, to maintain public records in accessible form.

The Illinois Courts Circuit Clerk Directory lists Staci J. Evans as Scott County's clerk with the Winchester courthouse address and contact information.

Search Scott County Criminal Records Online

Scott County participates in Judici.com, the free online case search service used by 82 of Illinois' 102 counties. Search Scott County criminal court records by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case type, charges, hearing schedule, and case status. No account or login is needed.

Judici's multi-county search feature works well for Scott County given its size. Because total filings are low in any single year, combining Scott with Morgan, Pike, Jersey, Calhoun, and Greene in a single query is a practical approach when you're not certain which county a case was filed in. The search covers the surrounding west-central and southwestern Illinois area at once.

Judici.com provides free access to Scott County criminal court records and supports combined searches across neighboring counties including Morgan, Pike, Jersey, and Greene.

For cases that were appealed from Scott County's circuit court, use re:SearchIL to search appellate records. The platform became free on May 1, 2025. The Illinois Courts website has background on how the state court system works and links to every county clerk office in Illinois.

In-Person and Mail Access

To review records at the courthouse, visit 35 East Market Street in Winchester during regular office hours. Bring the subject's full name and a case number if you have one. Staff can locate the file and let you review it on-site. Certified copies can be ordered and paid for at the counter.

Mail requests to: Scott County Circuit Clerk, 35 East Market Street, Winchester, IL 62694-1216. Include the subject's name, approximate filing date, type of record, and your return contact information. A self-addressed stamped envelope is helpful for receiving documents back. Without a case number, expect extra time for a manual name search. The fax is 217/742-5853; call first to confirm what the office accepts that way.

Illinois State Police Criminal History

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (ISP BOI) maintains a statewide criminal history database that pulls conviction data from all 102 Illinois counties, including Scott. When a Scott County case results in a conviction, that outcome is reported to ISP BOI and added to the statewide record. The bureau operates at 260 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 and can be reached at 815/740-5160.

You can request a background check at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks. The fee is $15 for electronic requests and $20 for paper. Certified ISP reports are used for professional licensing, volunteer programs, and regulated employment. What ISP may release is set by the Uniform Conviction Information Act, 20 ILCS 2635.

Any individual can get their own criminal history for free through the CHIRP system at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. CHIRP also has a process for disputing errors in your record. No fee applies to self-review requests.

The ISP Bureau of Identification combines Scott County conviction data with records from all other Illinois circuit courts into one statewide criminal history database.

What Records Are Public in Scott County

Most Scott County criminal court records are open to the public. Charging documents, docket entries, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing records are all available for review. Illinois assumes court records are public unless a specific law directs otherwise.

Several categories are restricted. Juvenile delinquency cases are sealed. Records expunged or sealed by court order are not accessible in the public file. Adoption records are always confidential. The Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, 705 ILCS 86, identifies which records courts may restrict and under what conditions. Even in fully public cases, Social Security numbers and financial account details are redacted before records are released to the public.

Illinois courts are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Sending a FOIA request to the Scott County clerk for court records will not work. Public access rights come from the Clerks of Courts Act and Illinois Supreme Court rules, not FOIA.

Electronic Filing and Federal Records

Attorneys and parties in Scott County cases submit documents through eFileIL, Illinois' statewide electronic filing platform. Public access to filed records goes through the Winchester clerk's office or through Judici.com online.

Scott County is in the Central District of Illinois for federal purposes. If a matter may involve both state and federal charges, check PACER for U.S. District Court filings. Federal and state courts are entirely separate systems. A search in one does not cover the other.

Legal Aid and Self-Help

Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free guides on record sealing, expungement, and how to access court records statewide, including Scott County. Illinois Court Help has live chat with court navigators who explain procedures without giving legal advice. Both services are free and do not require an appointment.

Nearby Illinois Counties

Each neighboring county maintains its own criminal court records through its own circuit court clerk.