Find Felony Records in Jefferson County

Jefferson County felony records are filed at the Circuit Court in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The county is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, and the clerk office stores every felony case from initial arrest through sentencing and beyond. Looking up felony records in Jefferson County is straightforward. You can use the Judici online system for free, or go to the courthouse in Mt. Vernon during business hours. The clerk staff handles requests for copies, certifications, and case file reviews for all criminal matters in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Court Clerk Details

Randy Pollard Jr. is the Circuit Court Clerk for Jefferson County. His office at the courthouse in Mt. Vernon is open weekdays. You can visit during those hours to pull felony case files, request copies, or search the case index. The staff can help you find records by name or case number.

Mt. Vernon serves as the county seat and is where all Jefferson County felony cases are filed. The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers a large region of southern Illinois, and each county in the circuit maintains its own set of records through its clerk.

Jefferson County Felony Records Online

Jefferson County is on Judici, the free online case search tool used by 82 Illinois counties. The Jefferson County search page is at https://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_search.jsp?court=IL081015J. Search by name or case number to view docket entries, court dates, and case status for felony cases.

Judici gives you docket summaries but not the actual filed documents. The Illinois Supreme Court's access policy restricts what can be viewed remotely. For copies of the real court papers in a Jefferson County felony case, you still need to contact the clerk or visit in person.

You can also try the re:SearchIL portal. This is the official statewide document repository for Illinois courts, run by Tyler Technologies.

Note: Always use four-digit years in Judici case number searches (2024CF0001, not 24CF0001).

Fees for Jefferson County Felony Copies

Jefferson County uses the standard Illinois fee schedule for record copies. The first page costs $2.00. Pages 2 through 20 are $0.50 each. Pages 21 and up are $0.25 each. Certification adds $6.00 per seal. A search fee of $6.00 is charged when the clerk needs to look up the case for you.

In-person payments can be made with cash or check. Mail-in requests need a money order or certified check payable to the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Include the defendant name and date of birth. If you have a case number, include that too.

Jefferson County Felony Case Classes

Illinois law under the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5) sets five felony classes. Class X is the highest level with 6 to 30 years and no chance of probation. That includes crimes like armed robbery. Class 1 is 4 to 15 years, Class 2 is 3 to 7 years, Class 3 is 2 to 5 years, and Class 4 is the lowest at 1 to 3 years.

Every felony record in Jefferson County identifies the class of the offense. This gives you a clear picture of how serious the charge was and what kind of sentence the court could impose. The case file also shows bond amounts, attorney names, all court appearances, and the final disposition.

The Criminal Code of 2012 (720 ILCS 5) lists every criminal offense and its classification. This is the reference for understanding what appears on Jefferson County felony records.

State Criminal History for Jefferson County

Felony arrests in Jefferson County are reported to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) requires all law enforcement agencies to send fingerprints and arrest data for felony charges. So records exist at both the county and state level.

The Criminal Identification Act is the foundational law that governs how criminal history records are collected and shared in Illinois.

To check your own criminal history, do an Access and Review through a Live Scan vendor. It is free. The ISP mails the results. You can also request a name-based conviction search for $10 (electronic) or $16 (paper) under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635).

Clearing Felony Records in Jefferson County

Some felony records filed in Jefferson County can be sealed or expunged. The Office of the State Appellate Defender explains the eligibility rules. Dismissed and acquitted cases typically qualify for expungement. Some convictions are eligible for sealing after a waiting period.

You file the petition at the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The ISP charges $60 to process the order. Once done, the case is removed from public view on Judici and other search tools. Sealed records still exist but are hidden. Expunged records are destroyed.

Jefferson County Record Search Resources

The Illinois Courts clerk directory has addresses and phone numbers for every county clerk in the state.

The State Appellate Defender's expungement page provides forms, guides, and contact information for anyone looking to clear a felony record in Jefferson County or elsewhere in Illinois.

Nearby County Felony Records

Jefferson County borders several southern Illinois counties. Felony records for each are kept by their own circuit clerk.

Cities in Jefferson County

Mt. Vernon is the county seat and largest city in Jefferson County with roughly 14,000 people. No cities here have a population above 50,000. All felony cases from Mt. Vernon and other Jefferson County communities are filed at the Circuit Court.