McHenry County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in McHenry County
Arrest records in McHenry County are generally considered public information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) further governs the dissemination of criminal history record information. Under this legislation, arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in McHenry County are considered public records, though certain limitations apply to protect ongoing investigations and individual privacy rights.
It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records:
- Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. These records exist regardless of whether charges were filed or the individual was convicted.
- Conviction records document that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through a court proceeding.
The Illinois State Police maintains the central repository for criminal history information in Illinois, including records from McHenry County. While arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, including information about juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and confidential informants, pursuant to exemptions under 5 ILCS 140/7.
What's in McHenry County Arrest Records
McHenry County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprints
- Address at time of arrest
- Identification numbers (state ID, FBI number if applicable)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest
- Whether force was used during arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute citations for alleged violations
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, etc.)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking officer
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type (cash, personal recognizance, etc.)
- Bond conditions
- Whether bond was posted
Court Information:
- Court case number
- Assigned court
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned to case
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility where detained (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Known aliases
- Vehicle information related to arrest
- Probation/parole status at time of arrest
- Immigration status (if relevant)
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act and other applicable state regulations.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in McHenry County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in McHenry County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest records:
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Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the appropriate law enforcement agency:
- Requests must be submitted in writing using the agency's designated FOIA request form
- Include specific information about the record being sought (name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest)
- Provide requestor contact information
- Agencies must respond within 5 business days under Illinois law
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Visit the McHenry County Sheriff's Office in person:
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 338-2144
McHenry County Sheriff's Office- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Bring government-issued photo identification
- Complete a records request form
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies
-
Contact the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests:
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 334-4190
McHenry County Circuit Clerk- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Court records may contain information about arrests that led to court cases
-
Request records from municipal police departments where the arrest occurred:
- Each municipality maintains its own records
- Contact the specific police department directly
- Follow their established FOIA procedures
When requesting arrest records, be advised that certain information may be redacted pursuant to exemptions under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/6.
How To Find McHenry County Arrest Records Online
McHenry County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests. The following online methods are currently available:
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McHenry County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
- Visit the McHenry County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the "Corrections Bureau" section
- Select "Inmate Search"
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- This database provides information on currently incarcerated individuals and recent releases
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McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Public Access System
- Access the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's online portal
- Select "Online Court Records"
- Create a user account if required
- Search by name, case number, or filing date
- Review case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings
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Illinois State Police Criminal History Information
- Visit the Illinois State Police Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP)
- Create an account and log in
- Submit a request for criminal history information
- Pay the required fee ($16 per name-based search)
- Receive results electronically
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Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search
- Access the Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search
- Enter the individual's name or IDOC number
- View information about individuals who have been transferred to state custody
When using online systems, users should note that:
- Not all arrest records are available electronically
- Some information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
- Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online databases
- Complete criminal history information typically requires a formal request
Online access to arrest records is governed by the same laws and regulations that apply to physical records, including the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Criminal Identification Act.
How To Search McHenry County Arrest Records for Free?
McHenry County residents and other interested parties can access certain arrest record information without payment through several free resources. The following methods provide no-cost options for obtaining basic arrest information:
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McHenry County Sheriff's Office Website
- The McHenry County Sheriff's Office maintains a free inmate lookup tool
- This database includes information about currently detained individuals
- Search by name to view booking information, charges, and custody status
- No registration or payment required
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McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Public Access
- Basic case information is available through the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's public access system
- Search by name to locate court cases related to arrests
- View case status, charges, and upcoming court dates
- Detailed documents may require fees, but basic information is free
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Public FOIA Requests
- Submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the appropriate agency
- Basic FOIA requests for arrest information do not require payment
- Fees may only be assessed for extensive searches or large copy requests
- Electronic delivery of records is typically provided at no cost
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Visit the Law Enforcement Agency in Person
- Review arrest logs and daily bulletins at police station lobbies
- Many departments maintain public terminals for viewing basic arrest information
- No fee is required to view public records in person
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McHenry County Law Library
McHenry County Law Library
2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Room 170
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 334-4851
McHenry County Law Library- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Access public computers with connections to court records
- Librarians can assist with navigating free public record resources
While these free resources provide access to basic arrest information, comprehensive criminal history reports typically require payment of statutory fees. Additionally, pursuant to 20 ILCS 2635/3, individuals may request a copy of their own criminal history record once per year at no charge.
How To Delete Arrest Records in McHenry County
In McHenry County, individuals may petition for the expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). These remedies offer different levels of relief:
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Expungement physically destroys records or returns them to the petitioner, removing them completely from public view and most government databases
- Sealing maintains records but restricts access to law enforcement agencies and certain employers required by law to conduct background checks
Eligibility for Expungement: Arrest records may qualify for expungement in the following circumstances:
- Arrests that did not lead to charges
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
- Certain non-conviction dispositions
- Successful completion of supervision for qualifying offenses
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
- Cases covered under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
Eligibility for Sealing: Records that may qualify for sealing include:
- Most misdemeanor convictions (after a 3-year waiting period)
- Certain felony convictions specified in 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(c)
- Cases where the petitioner has completed their sentence
Procedure for Expungement or Sealing:
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Obtain Criminal History Transcript
- Request a complete criminal history from the arresting agency or the Illinois State Police
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Determine Eligibility
- Consult with the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office or legal counsel
- Review the specific requirements under Illinois law
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Complete Required Forms
- Obtain petition forms from the McHenry County Circuit Clerk
- Complete a separate petition for each case/arrest record
- Include all required information about the case
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File Petition with Circuit Clerk
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 334-4190
McHenry County Circuit Clerk- Pay the required filing fee (currently $157 per petition)
- Fee waivers may be available for eligible individuals
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Serve Notice to Relevant Agencies
- Provide copies to the State's Attorney
- Notify the arresting agency and Illinois State Police
- Include proof of service with your petition
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Attend Court Hearing
- A hearing will be scheduled if objections are filed
- Present your case before the judge
- Explain why expungement or sealing is appropriate
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Receive Court Order
- If granted, the court will issue an order for expungement or sealing
- Agencies typically have 60 days to comply with the order
The Illinois Criminal Identification Act was significantly expanded by the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which broadened eligibility for record clearing remedies. Individuals seeking expungement or sealing may benefit from legal assistance through the McHenry County Legal Aid Clinic.
What Happens After Arrest in McHenry County?
Following an arrest in McHenry County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Illinois law. This process typically proceeds through the following stages:
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Booking Procedure
- Arrestee is transported to a detention facility
- Personal information is recorded
- Fingerprints and photographs are taken
- Personal property is inventoried and secured
- Initial health screening is conducted
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Bond Determination
- Under the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, which eliminated cash bail, judges determine pretrial release based on public safety and flight risk
- For less serious offenses, individuals may be released on their own recognizance with conditions
- For more serious offenses, a detention hearing is held within 48 hours
-
Initial Court Appearance
- Occurs within 72 hours of arrest (typically sooner)
- Judge informs the defendant of charges
- Pretrial release or detention is determined
- Public defender is appointed if the defendant qualifies
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Formal Charging
- State's Attorney's Office reviews evidence
- Determines whether to file formal charges
- May file a complaint, information, or seek grand jury indictment
- Some cases may be diverted or dismissed at this stage
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Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury
- For felonies, probable cause must be established
- Either through preliminary hearing before a judge
- Or through grand jury indictment
- Misdemeanors proceed directly to arraignment
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Arraignment
- Formal reading of charges
- Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Trial date may be set
- Discovery process begins
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Pretrial Proceedings
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Pretrial motions (e.g., motion to suppress evidence)
- Status hearings to monitor case progress
- Plea negotiations may occur
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Trial
- Jury trial or bench trial (before judge only)
- Prosecution presents evidence beyond reasonable doubt
- Defense presents its case
- Verdict is rendered (guilty or not guilty)
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Sentencing (if convicted)
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Sentencing hearing is scheduled
- Judge imposes sentence based on statutory guidelines
- Sentences may include incarceration, probation, fines, or alternative programs
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Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within 30 days
- Possible post-conviction relief petitions
- Probation supervision if applicable
- Incarceration in county jail or transfer to Illinois Department of Corrections
Throughout this process, cases are handled by the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court located at the McHenry County Government Center. The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office prosecutes cases, while the McHenry County Public Defender's Office represents eligible defendants who cannot afford private counsel.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in McHenry County?
Arrest records in McHenry County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/) and the Illinois State Records Act (5 ILCS 160/). These statutes govern how long different types of records must be preserved before they may be destroyed.
The Illinois Local Records Commission oversees record retention for county agencies, including the McHenry County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. Under current retention schedules:
- Arrest Reports and Booking Information: Maintained permanently or for a minimum of 10 years after the final disposition of the case, depending on the severity of the offense
- Fingerprint Cards: Retained permanently in electronic format by the Illinois State Police
- Mugshot Photographs: Kept for a minimum of 5 years after the arrest date
- Incident Reports: Maintained for 5-10 years depending on case type
- Investigation Files: Retained for varying periods based on case type:
- Homicide cases: Permanent retention
- Felony cases: 25 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after case closure
- Juvenile cases: Until the subject reaches age 18 or 5 years, whichever is later
Different agencies within McHenry County may have different retention requirements:
- McHenry County Sheriff's Office: Follows county-specific retention schedules approved by the Local Records Commission
- Municipal Police Departments: May have their own approved retention schedules
- McHenry County Circuit Clerk: Maintains court records according to the Supreme Court of Illinois' retention schedules
- Illinois State Police: Maintains criminal history information permanently in the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system
Records retention serves several important purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains documentation for accountability and transparency
- Provides historical information for law enforcement investigations
- Ensures compliance with state and federal reporting requirements
Even after the retention period expires, many records are archived rather than destroyed, particularly those with historical or statistical value. Additionally, records that have been expunged or sealed pursuant to court order are handled according to special procedures outlined in 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.
How to Find Mugshots in McHenry County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots are official photographs taken by law enforcement agencies during the booking process following an arrest. These images typically include front-facing and profile views of the arrested individual and are used for identification purposes within the criminal justice system. In McHenry County, mugshots are created as part of the standard booking procedure at the McHenry County Jail and municipal police departments.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
Mugshot photographs in McHenry County are primarily maintained by:
- The McHenry County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Municipal police departments where arrests occurred
- The Illinois State Police central repository (for serious offenses)
These photographs are stored in law enforcement databases and are linked to the individual's arrest record and criminal history information.
Finding Mugshots
Members of the public seeking mugshot photographs in McHenry County have several options:
-
Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the arresting agency:
- Requests must specifically mention mugshot photographs
- Include identifying information about the subject (name, date of birth, date of arrest)
- Agencies must respond within 5 business days
- Some requests may be denied based on privacy exemptions
-
Check the McHenry County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information:
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 338-2144
McHenry County Sheriff's Office- Limited booking photos may be available for currently incarcerated individuals
- Information is typically removed once the person is released
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
The availability of mugshots online through official sources in McHenry County is limited:
- The McHenry County Sheriff's Office does not maintain a public-facing mugshot gallery
- Some municipal police departments may post recent booking photos on their websites temporarily
- Third-party websites that aggregate mugshots may publish these images, but these are not official sources and may contain outdated or inaccurate information
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
To officially obtain a mugshot from McHenry County authorities:
- Complete a FOIA request form specifying the mugshot photograph
- Submit the request to the appropriate law enforcement agency
- Pay any applicable fees for reproduction (typically $1-5 per photograph)
- Receive the response within the statutory timeframe
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots in McHenry County is subject to several restrictions:
- Juvenile mugshots (under age 18) are generally not available to the public under 705 ILCS 405/1-7
- Mugshots related to expunged or sealed cases are not accessible
- Privacy exemptions under FOIA may apply in certain circumstances
- The Illinois Criminal Identification Act places limitations on the commercial publication of mugshots
- Recent Illinois legislation restricts the ability of websites to charge fees for removing mugshots
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that these photographs are created for law enforcement purposes, and their release is governed by public records laws that balance transparency with privacy concerns.