Find White County Felony Records

White County felony records are held by the Circuit Clerk's office in Carmi, Illinois. This southeastern Illinois county has a population around 14,000 and belongs to the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The clerk's office manages all felony case filings, docket entries, bond records, court orders, and sentencing documents. If you need to look up a criminal case filed in White County, this page explains the online search options, in-person access at the courthouse, the fee schedule, and how Illinois statutes control public access to these records.

White County Circuit Clerk Office

Kelly L. Fulkerson is the Circuit Clerk for White County. Her office handles all criminal case filings, docket records, bond paperwork, and court orders for felony cases. The courthouse sits in Carmi. Call 618/382-2321 to ask about a case or to find out what you need for a records request.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers White County along with Wabash, Lawrence, Richland, and several other counties in southeastern Illinois. Each county runs its own clerk's office and keeps its own records. White County has a smaller caseload compared to the larger counties in the circuit. If you are not sure where a felony was filed, the clerk's office can help you sort it out.

Search White County Felony Records Online

White County participates in Judici, the free online case search tool used across Illinois. You can search by name or case number to pull up docket entries, charges, case status, and hearing dates. Select White County from the drop-down and enter your search terms. Results load quickly.

The re:SearchIL platform from Tyler Technologies is another resource. Some White County court documents may show up there, although smaller counties sometimes have less coverage. Neither tool gives access to the actual case file. The Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy requires in-person review for documents.

The ISP fee schedule page shows the costs for statewide criminal record searches that may include White County felony data.

This screenshot from the ISP shows the current fee schedule for criminal record searches, which covers records from White County and all other Illinois counties.

White County Felony Records Fees

Copy fees are uniform across Illinois. State law sets them. The first page costs $2.00. Pages two through nineteen run $0.50 each. Everything after page nineteen drops to $0.25 per page. Certification adds $6.00 per seal.

ISP name searches cost $16 by paper or $10 electronically. Send mail requests to the White County Circuit Clerk with a check or money order. Include the case number or the defendant's full name so staff can locate the correct file. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps with the return delivery. In-person requests are taken at the counter during normal hours.

Illinois Law and White County Felony Cases

All felony arrests in White County get 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 central database holds over five million fingerprint records.

The Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5) controls sentencing for White County felony convictions. Class X is 6 to 30 years. Class 1 carries 4 to 15. Class 2 means 3 to 7 years. Class 3 brings 2 to 5 years. Class 4 is 1 to 3 years. Those ranges appear in White County felony records alongside the charges and final disposition.

Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), you can request a statewide conviction search from the ISP. The cost is $10 electronically or $16 on paper. The subject's consent is not needed. Only convictions show up in results.

The ISP Access and Review page explains how individuals can check and challenge their own criminal records, which may include data from White County felony cases.

Sealing and Expungement in White County

Some White County felony records may qualify for sealing or expungement. Sealing removes the record from public view but police and prosecutors retain access. Expungement destroys the record. Eligibility depends on the felony class and the person's full criminal history. Certain Class 3 and Class 4 felonies can be sealed.

To start, file a petition with the White County Circuit Court. No filing fee applies. If the court grants the order, the ISP charges $60 for processing. The Illinois expungement and sealing page covers the full process. Email ISP.Expungement.Unit@illinois.gov with any questions.

FOIA and White County Records

Illinois courts are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Court records follow separate rules from the judiciary. But law enforcement agencies in White County fall under FOIA. The White County Sheriff and local police can be asked for arrest reports, incident logs, and related records through a written FOIA request.

The Illinois Courts circuit clerk directory lists contact info for the White County clerk and every other circuit clerk statewide. It is a good resource for reaching offices in nearby counties.

Counties Near White County

White County is in southeastern Illinois, surrounded by several counties that each process felony cases through their own circuit clerk offices.