McHenry County Criminal Records
What Is McHenry County Criminal Records
Criminal records in McHenry County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, these records constitute public information with certain statutory exceptions.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, which do not necessarily indicate guilt
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal proceedings
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by minors, which are generally sealed under 705 ILCS 405/1-7
- Warrant Information: Documentation of active warrants for arrest or historical warrant data
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in McHenry County, each responsible for different aspects of documentation:
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-2144
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 334-4190
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
Illinois State Police
801 South 7th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 782-7980
Illinois State Police
Criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court of McHenry County maintains the official court records for criminal cases prosecuted within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In McHenry County
Criminal records in McHenry County are generally accessible to the public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Section 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."
However, important exceptions and restrictions apply to criminal record access:
- Adult Convictions: Generally available to the public without restriction
- Court Proceedings: Most hearings and trials are open to public observation
- Ongoing Investigations: Records may be withheld if disclosure would interfere with pending proceedings under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(d)
- Sealed Cases: Records ordered sealed by a judge are not publicly accessible
- Juvenile Records: Protected under the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-7)
- Expunged Records: No longer accessible to the public following court-ordered expungement
The McHenry County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records, including criminal case files. While many records are publicly accessible, certain sensitive information may be redacted, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Names of minor victims
- Medical information
- Information specifically protected by court order
Requesters seeking criminal records must comply with established procedures for access, which may include submitting formal requests, paying applicable fees, and providing proper identification when required by law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In McHenry County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in McHenry County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect:
In-Person Requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office
- Visit the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM)
- Complete a record request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable search and copy fees ($5 per name search, $0.25 per page for copies)
- Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 334-4190
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
Written Requests via Mail
- Prepare a written request including:
- Subject's full name and date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if known)
- Specific records requested
- Requester's contact information
- Include a check or money order for applicable fees
- Mail the request to the Circuit Clerk's Office
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing
FOIA Requests for Law Enforcement Records
- Submit a completed FOIA Request Form to the Sheriff's Office
- Specify the records requested with as much detail as possible
- Include contact information for response
- Submit via email, mail, or in person
- Expect a response within 5 business days as required by 5 ILCS 140/3
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-2144
McHenry County Sheriff's Office
For certified copies of court records, requesters must appear in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office with proper identification. Certified copies incur an additional fee of $6.00 per document.
How To Find Criminal Records in McHenry County Online?
McHenry County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer varying levels of information and may require registration or fees.
McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Online Case Access
The primary portal for court case information is the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Online Case Access. This system provides:
- Case search by name, case number, or citation number
- Access to criminal, traffic, and civil case information
- Case status, charges, next court dates, and disposition information
- Document lists (though actual documents require in-person requests)
To use this system:
- No registration is required for basic searches
- Select "Criminal" as the case type
- Enter at least the last name of the subject
- Results display case numbers, filing dates, and case types
- Click on case numbers for detailed information
McHenry County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup
The McHenry County Jail Inmate Search provides:
- Current inmate population information
- Booking photos
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release dates (when applicable)
Illinois Unified Court System eAccess
The Illinois Courts eAccess platform includes McHenry County cases and provides:
- Case information from multiple counties
- Standardized search interface
- Basic case status information
Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry
The Illinois State Police Offender Registry provides:
- Information on registered sex offenders residing in McHenry County
- Searchable by name or location
- Offender photos, addresses, and offense information
It is important to note that certain records remain unavailable online and require in-person requests, including:
- Complete case files with all documents
- Sealed or expunged records
- Juvenile records
- Records with specific privacy protections
Online systems typically display only basic case information, while full documentation requires formal requests through the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Can You Search McHenry County Criminal Records for Free?
McHenry County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain services may incur fees for specialized searches or document copies. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6) permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees for record reproduction, but not for the inspection of records.
Free In-Person Inspection Options:
Members of the public may inspect criminal records without charge at:
McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 334-4190
McHenry County Circuit Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
McHenry County Law Library
2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Room 170
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 334-4851
McHenry County Law Library
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Free Online Resources:
Several online portals provide free access to basic criminal record information:
-
McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Online Case Access
- Free basic case searches
- No registration required
- Provides case numbers, filing dates, charges, and status
-
McHenry County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup
- Free access to current jail population information
- Includes booking photos and charges
- Updated regularly
-
Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry
- Free searchable database of registered sex offenders
- Includes photos, addresses, and offense information
Fee-Based Services:
While inspection is free, the following services incur fees:
- Document copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $6.00 per document
- Name searches by staff: $5.00 per name
- Criminal history reports: $10.00
- Expedited service: Additional fees may apply
Pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.2b, the Circuit Clerk is authorized to collect fees for copies of public records. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters upon submission of an affidavit of indigence.
What's Included in a McHenry County Criminal Record?
McHenry County criminal records contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Initial charges filed
- Bail/bond information
- Detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective/restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on case age, record type, and maintaining agency. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5, certain information may be redacted or limited in publicly accessible versions of these records, particularly information related to victims, witnesses, or sensitive personal identifiers.
Criminal records maintained by the Circuit Clerk focus primarily on court proceedings, while Sheriff's Office records contain more detailed arrest and booking information. The Illinois State Police maintain the official state criminal history repository, which includes fingerprint-based records of arrests and dispositions.
How Long Does McHenry County Keep Criminal Records?
McHenry County retains criminal records according to schedules established by the Illinois State Records Act (5 ILCS 160) and the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205). These retention periods vary by record type and severity of offense.
Court Records Retention:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 10 years after case disposition
- Traffic Violations: Retained for 7 years after case disposition
- Court Dockets: Permanently maintained
- Judgment Records: Permanently maintained
Law Enforcement Records Retention:
- Arrest Reports (Felony): Retained for 10 years after the arrest date
- Arrest Reports (Misdemeanor): Retained for 5 years after the arrest date
- Booking Information: Retained for 7 years after release from custody
- Investigation Files (Major Crimes): Permanently maintained
- Investigation Files (Minor Crimes): Retained for 5 years after case closure
Corrections Records Retention:
- Inmate Files: Retained for 10 years after release
- Jail Logs: Retained for 5 years
- Visitation Records: Retained for 3 years
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices and basic case information are often maintained permanently. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained indefinitely even after physical copies are destroyed.
The Illinois State Archives Local Records Commission oversees the retention and destruction of local government records, including criminal justice records. No records may be destroyed without proper authorization from this commission.
Expungement and sealing of records under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 may result in earlier removal of records from public access, though certain agencies may retain sealed records for law enforcement purposes.