Criminal records in LaSalle County, Illinois, are available through several channels. LaSalleCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the office of the county circuit clerk. Online tools, in-person visits, and written requests all work for accessing criminal records in LaSalle County.
How to Search Criminal Records in LaSalle
There are several ways to find criminal records in LaSalle County. Start with what you know: a person's full name, date of birth, or case number significantly narrows the search.
Online Search
- LaSalleCourt.us — enter a first or last name to find publicly available information on court cases in the county.
- LaSalle County Court Portal — the LaSalle County Courthouse page has a link to the online Case Search.
- Sheriff's Inmate Search — the iSOMS portal allows you to view county jail admissions and releases for the last 24 or 72 hours.
- State Criminal History — the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification provides access to a complete criminal history of convictions.
- IDOC Inmate Search — the Individual in Custody Search shows individuals held in state correctional facilities.
- Sex Offender Registry — the Illinois State Police Offender Registry allows you to search for registered offenders by address or name.
In-Person Visit
The county circuit clerk maintains records of criminal, civil, and traffic cases. Visit the courthouse to use public access terminals or ask the clerk for help with the search.
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
Written Request
Sheriff's records requests can be submitted via FOIA. The LaSalle County Sheriff's Office accepts requests by mail or in person. For a complete state-level criminal history report, send fingerprints to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification — more details on the What's on My Record page.
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth
- Case number
- IDOC number (for state correctional facility searches)
Search LaSalle Criminal Cases by Case Number
Illinois courts use a standardized case number format. Understanding the structure helps find the case you need more quickly.
A typical Illinois case number format:
[Year]-[Case Type Code]-[Sequential Number]
- Year — two-digit or four-digit year of case filing (e.g., 2024 or 24).
- Case Type Code — a letter designation for the category. For criminal cases, the most common are: CF (criminal felony), CM (criminal misdemeanor), TR (traffic violations), DT (drugs).
- Sequential Number — a numeric identifier assigned when the case is filed.
For example, the number 2024-CF-000123 indicates a criminal felony case filed in 2024 with a sequential number of 123. If you only know the name, first find the case number through a name search, then use it to obtain detailed information.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in LaSalle
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific section of the Illinois Compiled Statutes that was violated |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), Petty Offense (minor violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or add charges during the case; updated information is reflected in court records |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed, but no final decision has been made.
- Active — the case is currently being processed.
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal).
- Closed — all procedural actions are complete, including sentence execution.
Hearings
A criminal case typically goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (applies to felonies).
- Pre-Trial — parties exchange evidence, discuss the possibility of a plea agreement.
- Sentencing — punishment is determined after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review — a control hearing to check compliance with conditions (e.g., probation).
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted — the court did not establish guilt |
| Dismissed | Case closed — usually at the prosecutor's initiative or due to procedural grounds |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in LaSalle
Certified copies of criminal records are officially verified documents with a court seal. They are often required by employers, attorneys, or government agencies.
Where to Submit a Request
- County Circuit Clerk's Office — the Circuit Clerk maintains criminal case records and issues certified copies.
- Sheriff's Office — for copies of incident reports or arrest records, contact the Sheriff's Records Division.
- Illinois State Police — a complete criminal history transcript can be ordered through the Bureau of Identification by submitting fingerprints.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office with valid photo ID. The clerk will help locate the case you need.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the defendant's full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and your return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Through FOIA — for sheriff's records, submit a request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. The form can be found on the FOIA page.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Case number or defendant's full name and date of birth
- For requesting your own state criminal history — fingerprints
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
LaSalle County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in LaSalle
Fees vary depending on the type of record and the issuing agency. Below is information based on the official sheriff's fee schedule and general court clerk rates.
Sheriff's Office Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Incident Report (first copy) | Free |
| Additional copies of incident reports | Check with the sheriff's office |
| FOIA Request | Copying fees may apply according to FOIA law |
Circuit Clerk's Fees
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Document Certification | Additional fee for court seal |
Exact court clerk fees may vary. Call the office at (815) 434-8671 to confirm the current schedule.
State-Level Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Criminal History Check (Illinois State Police) | Depends on the type of request; electronic checks usually cost differently than fingerprint-based requests |
Processing Times
- In-person at the clerk's office — usually the same day if the case is available in the electronic system.
- Mail request — 5 to 15 business days, depending on volume and complexity.
- State criminal history — fingerprint processing may take several weeks.
Payment is typically accepted by money order or check payable to the appropriate agency. Check directly with the office for credit card payment availability.