Fulton County Felony Records

Fulton County felony records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Lewistown, Illinois. With a population of about 34,000, Fulton County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit in west-central Illinois. The clerk's office manages all felony case filings, docket entries, bond records, court orders, and sentencing documents. You can search case information online through Judici or visit the Lewistown courthouse in person. This page explains how to look up Fulton County felony records, the fees you will encounter, and how Illinois law controls public access to criminal court data.

Fulton County Circuit Clerk Office

Charlene Markley is the Circuit Clerk for Fulton County. Her office handles all criminal filings, bond paperwork, docket entries, and court orders for felony cases. The courthouse is in Lewistown. Call 309/547-3041 to check on a specific case or learn what you need for a records request.

The 9th Judicial Circuit includes Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties. Each county has its own clerk and its own files. Lewistown is a small town south of Peoria. The clerk's office handles a moderate volume of cases and usually processes walk-in requests without long wait times. If you think a case may have been filed in Knox or another county in the circuit, the Fulton clerk can help you figure out where to look.

Search Fulton County Felony Records Online

Judici is the free case search platform used by Fulton County. Select the county from the drop-down, type a name or case number, and the system returns docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case status. It works for felony cases and other case types.

You may also find documents on re:SearchIL, the statewide court document repository run by Tyler Technologies. Some Fulton County filings may appear there. Neither platform provides the full case file. The Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy restricts certain documents to in-person access at the courthouse.

Use four-digit years for case numbers on Judici. Enter 2024CF0022 rather than 24CF0022.

Fees for Fulton County Felony Records

Copy fees are set by state law and are the same at every Illinois circuit court. The first page costs $2.00. Pages two through nineteen run $0.50 each. Page twenty and beyond drop to $0.25 each. A certified copy adds $6.00 per certification seal.

A name search costs $6.00 per year when you do not have a case number. Mail requests need a check or money order payable to the Fulton County Circuit Clerk. Include the case number or the defendant's full name and date of birth. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing. Walk-in requests at the counter are processed during business hours.

Illinois Law and Fulton County Felony Cases

All felony arrests in Fulton County are reported to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification in Joliet. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) requires every law enforcement agency in the state to submit fingerprints and arrest data. The ISP's central database holds more than five million records.

Felony sentencing ranges come from the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5). Class X is 6 to 30 years. Class 1 is 4 to 15. Class 2 carries 3 to 7 years. Class 3 runs 2 to 5. Class 4 is 1 to 3 years. Fulton County felony records show these class designations next to the charges and the final case outcome.

The ISP Bureau of Identification homepage serves as the starting point for statewide criminal record searches, including requests that may involve Fulton County data.

This page is the ISP's central hub for criminal record services, where you can begin a conviction search that may include felony data from Fulton County.

Statewide Conviction Search

Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), anyone can get a statewide conviction report from the ISP. The electronic version costs $10. Paper is $16. No consent from the subject is needed. Only conviction data is included in the results.

This works when you need to go beyond Fulton County. The ISP's database spans all 102 counties. Electronic requests typically process faster. Results arrive by mail or through the ISP online system.

Expungement and Sealing in Fulton County

Certain Fulton County felony records can be sealed or expunged. Sealing hides the record from the public. Law enforcement and prosecutors can still see it. Expungement destroys the record. Not every felony qualifies. Some Class 3 and Class 4 felonies may be eligible after a waiting period, depending on the person's criminal history.

To start, file a petition with the Fulton County Circuit Court. No filing fee is required. If granted, the ISP charges $60 to process the order. The Illinois expungement and sealing page has full instructions. Email ISP.Expungement.Unit@illinois.gov with questions.

Illinois Legal Aid provides a helpful guide on how to get copies of criminal records, which is useful for Fulton County residents who need to check their own history.

This Illinois Legal Aid page walks through the steps for getting copies of criminal records and includes options that apply to residents across Illinois, including Fulton County.

FOIA and Fulton County

The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) does not apply to Illinois courts. Court records follow separate judicial rules. But law enforcement agencies in Fulton County are subject to FOIA. The sheriff and local police can receive written FOIA requests for arrest reports, incident logs, and related documents.

The Illinois Courts circuit clerk directory has contact details for every circuit clerk in Illinois. It is a useful tool for reaching Charlene Markley's office or any nearby county.

Counties Near Fulton County

Fulton County is in west-central Illinois, south of Peoria. The surrounding counties each maintain their own felony records through separate circuit clerks.