Criminal records in Effingham County, Illinois, are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and state-level agencies. EffinghamILCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the official county court system, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office, each of which maintains different types of records related to criminal proceedings in Effingham County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Effingham
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Effingham County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but generally you should have at least one of the following:
- The individual's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
Online Search Options
- EffinghamILCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Effingham County.
- Effingham County Circuit Clerk – Criminal Court — The Circuit Clerk's criminal division handles misdemeanors, felonies, DUIs, contempt of court, conservation violations, local ordinance violations, and juvenile cases. The office provides an online case search where you can look up cases and make payments.
- Effingham County Courthouse directory — The Illinois Courts website lists an online records case search link for Effingham County.
- Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Search by last name, IDOC number, or birthdate for individuals currently in state custody.
- Illinois State Police Offender Registry — Search the Sex Offender Registry, Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry, and Missing Sex Offenders List.
In Person
Visit the Effingham County Circuit Clerk's Office at the courthouse. The Circuit Clerk's office provides public access computer terminals for searching court records on-site. The courthouse also has wifi available upon request.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Effingham County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse address above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers.
- Sheriff's Office records: The Effingham County Sheriff's Office accepts Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. A FOIA request form is available through the Sheriff's Office to request inmate/detainee reports, 911 calls/dispatch records, warrants, and other law enforcement records.
- State criminal history: For a comprehensive criminal history report, submit a request to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. Fingerprint-based background checks require submission of fingerprint cards and applicable fees.
Search Effingham Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Illinois circuit courts use a standardized case numbering format. As of 2023, Illinois transitioned to a new case number format statewide:
- New format:
YYYY-CC-XXXXXX— whereYYYYis the four-digit filing year,CCis a two-letter case category code, andXXXXXXis a sequential number. - Older format:
YY-CF-XXXXorYY-CM-XXXX— whereYYis the two-digit year, the middle letters indicate the case type (e.g., CF for criminal felony, CM for criminal misdemeanor, DT for DUI, OV for ordinance violation), and the final digits are sequential.
Common criminal case type codes in Effingham County include:
| Code | Case Type |
|---|---|
| CF | Criminal Felony |
| CM | Criminal Misdemeanor |
| DT | DUI / Traffic (criminal) |
| OV | Ordinance Violation |
| JD | Juvenile Delinquency |
Enter the full case number into the Circuit Clerk's online case search or provide it to the clerk's office when requesting records in person or by mail.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Effingham
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references an Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) section — for example, 720 ILCS 5/16-1 for theft.
- Severity levels: Felonies (Classes X, 1, 2, 3, 4), misdemeanors (Classes A, B, C), and petty/business offenses.
- Amended charges: Charges may be amended by the State's Attorney during proceedings. The docket will reflect both original and amended charges.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Case has ongoing proceedings or an active sentence |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All obligations fulfilled; case is complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary hearing: For felony cases — the court determines whether probable cause exists to proceed.
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss the case, negotiate pleas, and address motions before trial.
- Trial: Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing: Court imposes a sentence following a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation, treatment, or other court orders.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant found or pleaded guilty |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution chose not to pursue the case |
| Stricken with Leave to Reinstate | Case removed from the docket but may be refiled |
| Court Supervision | Non-conviction disposition; charges dismissed upon successful completion |
| Conditional Discharge / Probation | Defendant must comply with conditions set by the court |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Effingham
From the Circuit Clerk's Office
The Effingham County Circuit Clerk issues certified copies of criminal court records. To request them:
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at the Effingham County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the case number or the full name and date of birth of the individual whose records you need.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address below. Include the case details, a return address, and payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to the Effingham County Circuit Clerk).
From the Sheriff's Office
For law enforcement records such as arrest reports, incident reports, or warrant information, submit a FOIA request to the Effingham County Sheriff's Office. A FOIA request form is available through their office.
From the Illinois State Police
For a statewide criminal history record check, contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. Requests require fingerprint submission and fees. This is typically used for employment background checks and licensing purposes.
Expungement and Sealing
If you need to petition for expungement or sealing of a criminal record, the Illinois Courts approved expungement and sealing forms are accepted statewide, including in Effingham County. File the petition with the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Effingham
Fees for criminal record copies in Illinois are governed by state statute (705 ILCS 105/27.2). The following are standard fees that apply in Effingham County:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $6.00 |
| Sheriff's Office FOIA copies (per page, black & white) | $0.15 |
| ISP criminal history (fingerprint-based, non-employment) | Varies; contact ISP |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office are often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Mail requests to the Circuit Clerk typically take one to two weeks, depending on volume.
- FOIA requests to the Sheriff's Office must be responded to within five business days under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), with a possible five-day extension if needed.
- ISP background checks may take several weeks, particularly for fingerprint-based submissions.
Contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at (217) 342-4065 to confirm current fees before submitting payment. Accepted payment methods may vary — ask the clerk whether they accept personal checks, money orders, or credit cards for your specific request type.