What Are Jefferson County Public Records?
In Jefferson county, public records are created by local government agencies and are now open to county residents and other interested persons. The Illinois FOI Act mandates that Jefferson County public records be made available to requesters. Public agencies in charge of disseminating these records may provide them online or in physical copies. Online copies of public records are easily accessible, while parties may receive physical copies in person or mail. Public records in Jefferson County may be available in papers, audio files, video recordings, books, images, maps, or letters. Although public records are open to the public, some information is exempted from the FOIA. These exemptions restricted from the public include:
- Documents exempted by federal or state court.
- Social security number, driver’s license, and other personal information.
- All documents in which disclosure would be an unreasonably intrusive intrusion on personal privacy
- All records that might interfere with investigations or court proceedings if it is open to the public.
- Drafts, memos, suggestions, observations, and other papers containing perspectives on public policies or activities.
- Financial details and trade secrets are considered as classified information since disclosure may affect business competition.
- Records of property purchases are still under negotiation.
- Documentation of security threats, such as response strategies, protection mechanisms, risk evaluation, or plans to act to or avoid assaults.
Third-party services may also provide access to Jefferson County public records. Requesters can use these non-governmental services to locate multiple files or specific information. However, the availability and viability of documents on these sites may vary from the real government source.
Jefferson County Crime Statistics
Crime statistics in Jefferson County reveal details of violent crimes and property crimes as recorded by the law enforcement agencies in the county. The Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting (I-UCR) is responsible for updating crime activities in 102 counties, including Jefferson County. According to the recent UCR crime statistics published in 2018, Jefferson County recorded a total index crime of 1317 offenses. The report showed that Jefferson County witnessed 30 rape offenses, 23 robberies, and 37 motor vehicle thefts. The major crime in the county is larceny, with 730 (55.4%) cases. Crimes like burglary and aggravated assaults are also high in the county, with recorded cases being 252 and 235, respectively.
Are Jefferson County Criminal Records Public?
Jefferson County criminal records are public documents according to the FOI Act. The sheriff’s department, the principal law enforcement agency in the county, attends to all FOIA requests, including requests for criminal records. Criminal records in Jefferson county contain information on convicted persons in the county. Details of the offender’s personal information, sentence information, and incarceration are available on the criminal records. Requesters can also obtain criminal records from the circuit court clerk in Jefferson County.
Individuals may find criminal records not available at the county departments at the central repository maintained by the Illinois State Police (ISP). The ISP’s Bureau of Identification is responsible for creating and maintaining criminal records of all convicted persons in the state. Requesters can perform a name-based search using the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) platform. Note that only requesters with an Illinois Digital ID can obtain these records. Enrolling for the Digital ID is free and open to both residents and non-residents.
How To Obtain Jefferson County Police Reports And Arrest Records?
Interested persons can access police reports and arrest records in Jefferson County by contacting the sheriff’s department. Police reports, which can be active warrants, accident reports, situation reports, administrative reports, are obtainable by sending a written FOIA request to the Jefferson County sheriff’s department. Parties should send the written request or completed application form to:
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Freedom of Information
911 East Casey Avenue
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
How To Find Sex Offender Information In Jefferson County
Residents of Jefferson County can obtain sex offender information from the sheriff’s department as mandated by the Sex Offender Community Notification Law in Illinois. The Jefferson County sheriff offers online-based search through an approved third-party platform. Interested persons may also use the downloadable mobile app to find sex offenders in the county. The information available on Jefferson County sex offender information includes names, residences, social media accounts, aliases, etc., of sex offenders. Requesters can equally use the central repository of sex offender information maintained by the Illinois State Police. The Sex Offenders Registry contains more comprehensive information on convicted sex predators within Jefferson County and nearby communities.
How To Find Jefferson County Inmate Records
Jefferson County inmate records contain details of prisoners held at the local detention center. The sheriff department, the primary law enforcement agency in the county, maintains an online database for searching inmates committed to the county jail. Interested individuals can use the mobile application to perform inmate searches or visit the department using the address below:
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
911 Casey Avenue
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8004
Remember that Jefferson County jail is different from the state prisons managed by the Illinois Department of Correction. As such, using the state-managed Offender Search will only reveal prisoners confined within state prisons.
How Do I Visit An Inmate In Jefferson County Jail?
Relatives and friends of inmates in Jefferson County jail can visit the facility provided they follow the visitation guidelines created by the sheriff’s department. Visitation to the Jefferson County jail is open to individuals every day from 8 am to 8 pm. However, visitors are restricted during lunch and dinner times set between 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 6:30 pm. The jail administrator offers visitors the privilege to visit in person or off-site. On-site visitors are required to schedule their visits by calling the jail administrator on (866) 340-7879. On arrival at the jail facility, visitors above 18 years will present their photo IDs. Minors, on the other hand, should be accompanied by a guardian with a valid ID. Off-site visitors can set up an online visitation via JailATM, an approved third-party vendor.
Jefferson County Court Records
Jefferson County court records are a compilation of all of a court’s documents from civil and criminal cases that may be used to analyze what transpired in the courthouse during a court proceeding. In Jefferson County, the circuit court clerk records all court cases, including divorce settlements, probate, adoption, child support, and traffic cases. According to the FOI Act in Illinois, court records not sealed or expunged by the record holder are accessible.
Jefferson County Circuit Court
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
Phone: (618) 244-8007
Fax: (618) 244-8029
Are Jefferson County Court Records Public?
Yes, county residents can have access to Jefferson County court records. These records contain details such as court dockets, transcripts, sworn statements, court judgments, etc. The Jefferson County circuit court clerk allows individuals to make copies of public court records. Record searchers may also use the online central repository maintained by the Illinois Courts. Requesters should note that some court records are not open to the public. These records are:
- Criminal court records containing details of an ongoing investigation.
- Sealed or expunged court records
- Juvenile records
- Documents containing private information like driver’s license, SSN (Social Security Number), and medical reports.
- Financial information involving trade secrets.
How To Obtain Jefferson County Civil Court Case Records
The circuit court clerk maintains civil court case records in Jefferson County. The civil court records contain information on civil cases like small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, and domestic issues resolved at the circuit court. Requesters can find Jefferson County civil court case record online or by visiting the court clerk’s office at:
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
Interested persons can find these records online using the Jefferson County Case Search system. Searchers can find civil court cases via the online database by inputting the case number, name of the involved parties, and a brief description of the case required.
How To Obtain Jefferson County Criminal Court Records
Jefferson County criminal court records are created once crime suspects or accused are convicted in the circuit court. Criminal court records often contain information on offenders, sentences, descriptions of the crime, court dockets, evidence, etc. The circuit court clerk in Jefferson County is tasked with creating and disseminating criminal court records. Interested persons seeking these records may mail, call, or visit the circuit court clerk using the address information below:
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8007
Criminal court records in Jefferson County are also obtainable online via the Jefferson County Case Search. Record seekers must provide the offender’s name and case number to look up the criminal court records online.
What Are Jefferson County Vital Records?
Jefferson County vital records, issued by the local health department, documents county residents’ major life events. Examples of vital records in Jefferson County include death, birth, adoption records, marriage license, and divorce certificates. According to the Illinois Vital Records Act, the Department of Public Health is tasked with maintaining vital records. Generally, the Jefferson County Health Department is responsible for collating and updating all vital records in the county.
Where And How To Obtain Jefferson County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Jefferson County include divorce decrees and divorce certificates issued by the local circuit court to show the termination of a union. The circuit court clerk is tasked with providing public access to Jefferson County divorce records. Requesters can visit the court clerk at:
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
Note that only the divorcees and their legal representatives are allowed complete access to divorce records in Jefferson County. Interested persons without any direct relation to the record holder must obtain a court order to access divorce records in the county. As such, eligible applicants must present a valid photo ID and state the reason for requesting divorce records to access the documents.
Divorce records in Jefferson County are also obtainable at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDHP). Requesters can obtain divorce records at the statewide repository by sending mail, visiting the department, or requesting by fax. Record seekers can use the address below to order divorce records.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2732
Fax: (217) 523-2648
Available hours and Monday to Friday from 10.00 A.M. to 3.00 P.M.
Where And How To Get Public Jefferson County Marriage Records
Couples, attorneys to record holders, or relatives can order for Jefferson County marriage records. Nevertheless, certified copies are only available to married couples and their parents. The charge for the first certified copy is $15, while the cost for extra copies is $10 each. Means of payment include local checkbooks, certified funds, or cash. Requesters should provide a self-addressed stamped envelope if there is an order for a mail return. Marriage records in Jefferson County cannot be emailed or faxed. Requesters can obtain the records by submitting a request in writing via mail or visiting the county clerk’s office at:
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
Interested persons looking for genealogy marriage records in Jefferson County can also request with the county clerk personally or by mail with a charge of $10. Jefferson County marriage records are from 1830, and it is limited to persons depending on their age.
Where And How To Obtain Confidential Marriage Records In Jefferson County
Marriage records that are considered sensitive do not occur in Illinois, as public marriages are the norm in Jefferson County.
Where And How To Find Jefferson County Birth Records
Jefferson County birth records are obtainable at the court clerk’s office. However, this record is only available to:
- The record holder provided they are 18 years of age or older.
- The record holder’s parents
- A representative with a sworn declaration from the record holder. The document must show the date of the record, the record holder’s name, and the representative name.
- Attorney of the record holder with photo ID and court papers
- An approved military organization or the Military Services (no fee)
There is a $15 for the first certified copy of the birth records. Requesters are required to pay a $10 charge for each extra copy of the same document at the same time. The payment methods accepted are local checks or cash. Applicants should add a self-addressed stamped envelope if there is an order for a mail return. Note that vital records cannot be faxed or emailed. As such, requesters can only obtain birth records by mailing or visiting the department at:
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
Interested parties can order a genealogy purpose birth record with a charge of $10. Birth records in Jefferson County are also available at the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state department allows eligible requesters to obtain birth certificates by mail, fax, in-person, or online.
Where And How To Find Jefferson County Death Records
Requesters can make copies of Jefferson County death records from the clerk’s office. Nonetheless, eligible persons that can access this record are:
- The custodian or manager of the deceased’s estate
- The decedent’s relatives
- An approved military organization.
- An individual who seems to have a property or personal interest claim in the death record.
There is a $15 fee for the first certified copy of the Jefferson County death records. Applicants are required to pay a $10 charge for additional copies made of the same document. Requesters should have in mind that vital documents cannot be faxed or emailed. As a necessity, death records would only be gained by mailing or visiting the department at:
100 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 1266
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
For $10, interested parties can obtain a genealogy-purpose death record, which can be sent in person or by mail to anybody with a genealogical interest. The Illinois Department of Public Health also has death records for Jefferson County. According to the state department, authorized applicants can get death certificates through the mail, fax, in-person, or online.
