Mason County Felony Records Lookup
Mason County felony records are stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Havana, Illinois. With roughly 13,000 residents, Mason County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit. The clerk manages all felony filings, docket entries, bond documents, sentencing orders, and other court papers. Online searching is free through Judici. You can also go to the courthouse on North Plum Street or mail a written request. This page covers how to find felony records in Mason County, what fees are charged, and which Illinois laws govern public access to criminal case files.
Mason County Felony Records Quick Facts
Mason County Circuit Clerk Office
| Clerk | Debbie Friend |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 North Plum, Havana, IL 62644-0377 |
| Phone | 309/543-6619 |
| Fax | 309/543-4214 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Circuit | 8th Judicial Circuit |
Debbie Friend is the Circuit Clerk for Mason County. Her office takes care of all felony case records, including charges, bond paperwork, docket entries, hearing schedules, and court orders. The courthouse is at 125 North Plum in Havana. Call 309/543-6619 to ask about a case or find out what is needed for a records request.
Mason County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit along with Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Menard, Pike, Schuyler, and Scott counties. Each county has its own clerk and keeps its own files. Havana sits on the Illinois River and serves as the county seat. The felony caseload here is modest compared to larger counties, but the same state rules and fee schedules apply.
Online Access to Mason County Felony Records
Mason County uses Judici for free public case searches. Pick Mason County from the drop-down, type a name or case number, and the system shows docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case status. No account needed.
The statewide re:SearchIL platform is another option. Run by Tyler Technologies, it collects court documents from many Illinois courts. Some Mason County filings may be there. Neither system gives the full case file. Under the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy, certain documents must be viewed in person at the courthouse.
Use four-digit years when searching on Judici. Enter 2024CF0010 instead of 24CF0010 for the best results.
Mason County Record Copy Fees
Copy fees in Mason County match the statewide schedule. First page: $2.00. Pages two through nineteen: $0.50 each. Page twenty onward: $0.25 per page. Certified copies add a $6.00 certification fee per seal. Name searches cost $6.00 per year searched.
To get records by mail, send a check or money order made out to the Mason County Circuit Clerk. Provide the case number or the defendant's full name. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Walk-in requests are taken at the clerk's counter during business hours.
Illinois Law and Mason County Felony Cases
Every felony arrest in Mason County is reported to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) requires this of all law enforcement agencies in Illinois. Fingerprint cards and arrest data go into a central database in Joliet with millions of records.
Sentencing follows the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5). Class X felonies carry 6 to 30 years. Class 1 is 4 to 15 years. Class 2 is 3 to 7. Class 3 runs 2 to 5 years. Class 4 brings 1 to 3 years. You will see these classifications in Mason County felony records next to the charges and final disposition.
Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), anyone can request a statewide conviction search from the ISP. The fee is $10 online or $16 by paper. Only convictions are returned. Consent from the subject is not required.
The ISP fee schedule page shows costs for conviction searches, fingerprint-based checks, and other criminal record services that may involve Mason County data.
Expungement and Sealing in Mason County
Certain Mason County felony records can be sealed or expunged. Sealing removes the record from public access but leaves it visible to police and prosecutors. Expungement destroys the record completely. Eligibility depends on the felony class and the person's overall criminal history. Some Class 3 and Class 4 felonies can be sealed once a waiting period has passed.
File a petition with the Mason County Circuit Court to start. No filing fee applies. If the court grants the order, the ISP charges $60 for processing. The Illinois expungement and sealing page has the details on eligibility and required forms. Send questions to ISP.Expungement.Unit@illinois.gov.
This state page outlines the general rules for sealing and expunging criminal records in Illinois, including felony cases filed in Mason County.
FOIA and Mason County Records
Illinois courts do not fall under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Court records are governed by separate judicial rules. However, the Mason County Sheriff and local police are subject to FOIA. You can send a written request for arrest reports, incident logs, and related documents.
The Illinois Courts clerk directory lists contact information for Mason County and every other circuit clerk in the state. Use it to find contact details for neighboring counties as well.
Counties Near Mason County
Mason County sits in central Illinois along the Illinois River. These neighboring counties handle their own felony cases through local circuit clerks.