Jefferson County Arrest Records

Jefferson County recent arrests are processed through the Sheriff's Office and the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, both based in Mount Vernon. With a population of about 36,550 spread across small towns and rural areas, this southern Illinois county sees a steady flow of bookings each week. The Sheriff's Office at 911 Casey Avenue handles all arrests and jail operations. Court cases from those arrests go through the circuit clerk at the courthouse on South 10th Street. You can look up recent arrest data online, by phone, or in person at either office. This page covers every way to search for Jefferson County arrest records, from jail roster checks to FOIA requests and court case lookups.

Jefferson County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Sheriff Jeff Bullard, Sr. runs the office at 911 Casey Ave in Mount Vernon, IL 62864. You can call (618) 244-8004 for general questions about recent arrests or to check on someone who may have been booked into the jail. The office also handles court security at (618) 244-8005. The jail sits at the same address and processes all bookings for the county.

When someone gets arrested in Jefferson County, they are brought to the jail on Casey Avenue for booking. The booking process includes fingerprints, a photo, and recording personal details along with the charges. Most people booked into the jail see a judge within 48 hours for a bond hearing. You can check on a current inmate by calling the jail directly. The Jefferson County Sheriff's website is the first place to look for arrest info and jail contact details.

The screenshot below shows the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office website, which serves as the starting point for looking up recent arrest information and jail contacts in the county.

This site includes contact numbers and office details for the sheriff and jail operations.

The Sheriff's Office also maintains a presence on Facebook where they post updates about arrests, wanted persons, and safety alerts. This can be a quick way to see recent arrest activity in the county without making a formal request.

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Cases

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's Office keeps all court case records. Circuit Clerk Randy Pollard, Jr. manages the office at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 S. 10th St in Mount Vernon. You can reach them at (618) 244-8008. The fax number is (618) 244-8029. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Criminal case files at the circuit clerk show what happens after an arrest. These records include the charges filed by the state's attorney, court hearing dates, bond amounts, plea entries, and case outcomes. When someone is arrested in Jefferson County, the state's attorney reviews the arrest report and decides which charges to file. Those charges create a case number in the clerk's system. From that point on, you can track the case through the clerk's office.

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk website shown here is where you can get started looking up criminal case records tied to recent arrests in Jefferson County.

Contact the clerk's office by phone or visit in person to request case file details.

Requesting Jefferson County Arrest Data

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), law enforcement agencies must release basic arrest information within 72 hours of an arrest. This includes the person's name, age, address, charges, and the time and place of the arrest. You can file a FOIA request with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to get this data for any recent arrest.

Send your FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office at 911 Casey Ave, Mount Vernon, IL 62864. You can also call (618) 244-8004 to ask about the process. The first 50 pages of black and white copies are free under state law. After that, the cost is up to 15 cents per page. Agencies have five business days to respond, with a possible five-day extension if they need more time. For court records, send your FOIA request to the circuit clerk at the courthouse address.

Keep in mind that some records may be exempt from release. If disclosure would interfere with an active investigation or endanger someone's safety, the agency can withhold certain details. Juvenile arrest records are also confidential and not available through FOIA.

Jefferson County Statewide Databases

Several state-level tools can help you find Jefferson County arrest records. The Illinois State Police runs the CHIRP portal for name-based criminal history checks. It shows conviction records from across Illinois, including Jefferson County. A name-based search costs $10 for electronic results. You do not need the person's consent for a name check. Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), only conviction data is available to the public through this system.

The Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search shows people serving state prison sentences. This covers Jefferson County cases where the person was sentenced to IDOC custody. Search by last name or IDOC number. People held at the Jefferson County Jail before trial will not show up here. For them, contact the jail directly.

Illinois VINE at vinelink.vineapps.com is a free victim notification service. You can register to get alerts when an offender's custody status changes. The service runs around the clock and is confidential. It tracks people in both county and state custody, making it useful for following Jefferson County cases after sentencing.

Jefferson County Court System

Jefferson County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Illinois. Criminal cases from recent arrests go through the Jefferson County Circuit Court at the courthouse in Mount Vernon. The Illinois Courts website has general info about the court structure. The circuit court handles felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. Each case gets a number when the state's attorney files charges.

After an arrest, the process begins with a bond hearing. Most people see a judge within 24 to 48 hours. The judge sets bail based on the charges, criminal history, and flight risk. Court records from that point forward are public. You can track the case through the circuit clerk's office. Felony cases typically involve multiple court dates before reaching a plea or trial. Misdemeanor cases often move faster, sometimes resolving in just a few weeks.

Arrest records that lead to charges become part of the court file. If charges are dropped or the person is found not guilty, those records may later be eligible for expungement or sealing under the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630). But while a case is active, the records stay public and searchable through the clerk's office.

How to Find Jefferson County Arrests

There are several ways to get arrest records in Jefferson County. Each method gives you different details.

• Call the Jefferson County Jail at (618) 244-8004 for current inmate status
• Visit the Circuit Clerk's office for criminal case records and court outcomes
• File a FOIA request with the Sheriff's Office for the full arrest report
• Use CHIRP for a statewide name-based conviction history check
• Check IDOC inmate search for people sentenced to state prison
• Register with Illinois VINE for custody status alerts

For the most complete picture, use two or more sources. The jail check tells you who is in custody right now. The court search shows what happened with the case. A FOIA request gets you the full arrest report with details about what took place. The CHIRP check reveals prior convictions across Illinois. Each source fills in a different part of the picture when looking into recent arrests in Jefferson County.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes Mount Vernon, Waltonville, Woodlawn, Ina, and several other small communities. All criminal cases from arrests in these areas go through the Jefferson County Circuit Court in Mount Vernon. None of the cities in Jefferson County meet the population threshold for a separate page, but you can find arrest records for any of them through the county resources listed above.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County. If you are not sure which county handled an arrest, check the location where it took place. Each county has its own sheriff and court system.

Wayne County also borders Jefferson County. Arrests near the county line could fall under either jurisdiction, so check with the arresting agency if you are unsure.