DuPage County Public Records /DuPage County Criminal Records

DuPage County Criminal Records

What Is DuPage County Criminal Records

Criminal records in DuPage County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 20, Act 2630, which establishes the framework for criminal identification and records.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the DuPage County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, representing the final judicial determination of criminal cases.
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more, such as robbery, aggravated assault, or drug trafficking.
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration, including simple assault, petty theft, or disorderly conduct.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: While adult records (18 and older) are generally public, juvenile records are sealed under 705 ILCS 405/1-7 and accessible only under limited circumstances.
Warrant Information: Documentation of active warrants for arrest versus historical warrant records that have been executed or dismissed.

Multiple agencies maintain these records within DuPage County:

DuPage County Sheriff's Office
501 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-2000
DuPage County Sheriff

18th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk
505 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8700
DuPage Circuit Court Clerk

Illinois State Police
801 South 7th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 782-7980
Illinois State Police

DuPage County criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process: initial charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information. The 18th Judicial Circuit Court maintains comprehensive case records for criminal proceedings within the county.

Are Criminal Records Public In DuPage County

Criminal records in DuPage County are generally considered public information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/). This statute establishes that "all records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying" with certain exceptions.

Section 5 ILCS 140/1.2 of the Act states: "All records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying. Any public body that asserts that a record is exempt from disclosure has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that it is exempt."

The public status of criminal records varies by category:

Publicly Accessible Records:

Adult conviction records
Court proceedings and case dispositions
Booking information and mugshots
Sex offender registry information
Current inmate records

Restricted or Limited Access Records:

Ongoing criminal investigations
Sealed or expunged records
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records that would compromise law enforcement proceedings

The Illinois Criminal Identification Act provides specific guidelines regarding the dissemination of criminal history record information. Under this act, conviction information is available to the public without restriction, while non-conviction information has more limited accessibility.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in DuPage County must follow established procedures through the appropriate agencies. The DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian for court records, while the Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and jail records.

It is important to note that while these records are legally public, practical access may require formal requests, payment of fees, and compliance with identification requirements as established by county ordinances and state law.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In DuPage County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in DuPage County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing criminal records:

In-Person Requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office:

Visit the DuPage County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours.
Complete a record request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5 per name search plus $0.50 per page for copies).
Receive available records immediately or await notification for more complex searches.

18th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk
505 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
DuPage Circuit Court Clerk

Online Access Through the Circuit Clerk's Portal:

Navigate to the Circuit Court Clerk Public Information Application.
Register for an account if accessing restricted information; basic case searches may be available without registration.
Select "Criminal Record Search" from the available options.
Enter search criteria (name, case number, or filing date range).
Review search results and select specific cases for detailed information.
Pay any applicable fees for certified copies or comprehensive reports.

Mail Requests to the Circuit Clerk:

Prepare a written request including the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and specific information sought.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees.
Mail the request to the Circuit Clerk's Office at the address provided above.

Sheriff's Office Records Requests:

Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division or access their online portal.
Complete the required request form with specific information about the individual.
Provide identification and pay applicable fees.
Receive available non-confidential arrest records, booking photos, and incident reports.

DuPage County Sheriff's Office Records Division
501 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
DuPage County Sheriff

For comprehensive criminal history information, requestors may need to contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification for statewide records, which requires fingerprint submission and additional fees.

How To Find Criminal Records in DuPage County Online?

DuPage County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide varying levels of information and may require registration or fees for complete access.

Circuit Court Clerk's Public Access System:

The Circuit Court Clerk Public Information Application serves as the primary online portal for court records in DuPage County. This system provides:

Case information for criminal, traffic, and civil matters
Court dates and hearing schedules
Case status and disposition information
Document filing dates
Judge assignments
Party information

Users may search by name, case number, or filing date. Basic case information is available without registration, while detailed document access requires account creation and may incur fees. The system contains records from the 18th Judicial Circuit Court including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases.

DuPage County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup:

The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function that provides:

Current jail population information
Booking photos
Charges
Bond information
Scheduled release dates (when applicable)
Court dates

This resource is updated regularly and provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody at the DuPage County Jail.

Illinois Department of Corrections Offender Search:

For information about individuals sentenced to state prison from DuPage County, the Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search provides:

Current custody status
Location of incarceration
Projected parole or release dates
Physical descriptions
Conviction information
Sentencing details

Illinois Sex Offender Registry:

The Illinois Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Illinois State Police includes information about registered sex offenders residing in DuPage County:

Names and aliases
Current addresses
Physical descriptions
Conviction information
Compliance status
Photographs

Limitations of Online Access:

It is important to note that certain records are not available online and require in-person requests:

Sealed or expunged records
Juvenile cases
Orders of protection (restricted access)
Mental health proceedings
Adoption records
Complete case files with all documents

For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests that did not result in court cases, requestors must contact the Sheriff's Records Division or the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification directly.

Can You Search DuPage County Criminal Records for Free?

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6) establishes that "each public body may charge fees reasonably calculated to reimburse its actual cost for reproducing and certifying public records." However, the law also mandates that "each public body shall furnish upon request a reasonable number of records without charge or at a reduced charge" for requestors demonstrating public interest or inability to pay.

DuPage County offers several free options for accessing criminal records:

Free In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at no cost by visiting:

DuPage County Law Library
505 N. County Farm Road, 2nd Floor
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8811
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
DuPage County Law Library

While inspection is free, printing or copying documents incurs standard fees ($0.50 per page for standard copies, $5.00 for certified copies).

Free Online Resources:

The following online resources provide free access to basic criminal record information:

Basic Case Information Search: The Circuit Court Clerk's Public Information Application offers free searches for basic case information, including case numbers, charges, next court dates, and case status. Detailed document access requires payment.
DuPage County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup: This free resource provides information about currently incarcerated individuals, including charges and bond information.
Illinois Sex Offender Registry: The state-maintained registry offers free public access to information about registered sex offenders residing in DuPage County.
Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search: This free database provides information about individuals sentenced to state prison from DuPage County.

Fee-Based Services:

More comprehensive criminal record searches typically involve fees:

Name-based criminal history searches: $5.00 per name
Certified court documents: $5.00 per certification
Complete case files: $0.50 per page
Fingerprint-based criminal history reports: $20-$60 depending on purpose

Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals or organizations under specific circumstances as outlined in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with appropriate documentation of financial hardship or public interest purpose.

What's Included in a DuPage County Criminal Record?

DuPage County criminal records contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. The content of these records varies based on the nature of the case and its progression through the system.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of offense
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)
Driver's license number (for driving-related offenses)

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility
Initial charges filed by law enforcement
Probable cause statement
Bail or bond information
Pre-trial detention status

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (typically 18th Judicial Circuit Court for felonies or Misdemeanor & Traffic Division for lesser offenses)
Formal charges filed by the State's Attorney
Statutory citations and offense classification (felony class or misdemeanor class)
Plea information
Attorney of record (public defender or private counsel)
Judge assigned to the case
Court appearance dates and hearing types

Case Disposition:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms (jail or prison duration)
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or educational program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation or parole status and compliance

Additional Information:

Active warrants or bench warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI evaluation and treatment information
Related traffic violations
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history references

Criminal records maintained by the DuPage Circuit Court Clerk also include all filed court documents, motions, transcripts, and evidence logs associated with the case. These comprehensive records provide a complete chronological history of the criminal proceedings from arrest through final disposition and any post-conviction matters.

How Long Does DuPage County Keep Criminal Records?

DuPage County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Illinois State Records Act (5 ILCS 160/) and guidelines from the Illinois Supreme Court. These retention periods vary based on the type of record and severity of the offense.

Felony Case Records:

Capital cases (formerly death penalty eligible): Permanent retention
Murder and Class X felonies: Permanent retention
Other felonies: 75 years from date of final disposition
Probation records: 10 years after discharge from probation

Misdemeanor Case Records:

DUI/DWI cases: 25 years from date of final disposition
Domestic violence cases: 25 years from date of final disposition
Other misdemeanors: 10 years from date of final disposition

Traffic and Ordinance Violation Records:

Moving violations: 7 years from date of final disposition
Non-moving violations: 5 years from date of final disposition
Parking violations: 2 years from date of final disposition

Arrest Records (No Charges Filed):

Felony arrests: 7 years from date of arrest
Misdemeanor arrests: 5 years from date of arrest

Jail Records:

Booking information: 10 years from release date
Inmate medical records: 10 years from release date
Visitor logs: 3 years from date of visit

It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after these retention periods, electronic indices and basic case information may be maintained indefinitely, particularly for felony convictions. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained longer than their paper counterparts.

The Illinois State Archives Local Records Commission must approve any destruction of public records, including criminal records, before disposal can occur. This ensures compliance with state retention requirements and historical preservation needs.

Individuals seeking to limit the availability of their criminal records before the expiration of retention periods may petition for expungement or sealing under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, if eligible. These processes do not destroy records but restrict their accessibility to the public.

Lookup Criminal Records in DuPage County

DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk

Circuit Court Clerk Public Information Application

DuPage County Felony Court Division

DuPage County Misdemeanor & Traffic Division

Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search