Search Montgomery County Criminal History

Montgomery County criminal history records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Hillsboro, Illinois. This central Illinois county is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit, which also covers several neighboring counties. Whether you want to look up a specific case, check on a past filing, or get copies of court documents, the clerk office and the Judici online portal are the two main ways to search Montgomery County criminal history records. The county processes felony and misdemeanor cases through its circuit court, and those records become part of the public file once a case is resolved. You can search many of these records from home or visit the courthouse for full file access.

Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Office

Daniel Robbins serves as the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. The office is at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Hillsboro. You can call (217) 532-9546 for help with criminal history records, case lookups, or copy requests. The clerk keeps all court records for criminal cases filed in Montgomery County. This includes felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and ordinance violations that go through the circuit court.

Montgomery County sits in the 7th Judicial Circuit alongside Sangamon, Morgan, Scott, Greene, Macoupin, and Jersey counties. Each county in the circuit has its own clerk and its own set of case files. A criminal case filed in Montgomery County stays with the Montgomery County clerk, even though the same judges may hear cases across the circuit. When you search for criminal history records, make sure you are looking in the right county. The clerk at (217) 532-9546 can confirm if a case is in their system.

Walk-in visits to the courthouse work well for getting copies or viewing files. Bring any details you have about the case, such as a name, date, or case number. The more info you bring, the faster the clerk can find what you need in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Criminal History Online Search

You can search Montgomery County criminal history records online through Judici.com. This free portal covers more than 80 Illinois counties. Select Montgomery County from the court list and enter the name you want to search. Results show case types, charges, filing dates, and what happened with the case. Both open and closed criminal cases appear in the system for Montgomery County.

The Judici system is a good starting point for any Montgomery County criminal history search. You do not need to create an account or pay a fee to run a basic search. Case details include hearing dates, judge names, and disposition outcomes. If a case was dismissed, pled guilty, or went to trial, the result should show up on the case page. Keep in mind that sealed or expunged records will not appear, and some older Montgomery County cases may have limited detail online.

State Criminal History Resources for Montgomery County

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains a statewide criminal history database. This database pulls records from all 102 counties, including Montgomery County. If someone has criminal history records in more than one county, the ISP file will show all of them in one place. The Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635) makes conviction data available to the public through the ISP.

A name-based UCIA search costs $16 by mail or $10 through Live Scan. This gives you a list of any convictions tied to the name and identifiers you provide. For Montgomery County residents who want to check their own record, the ISP offers Access and Review at no charge. Go to any law enforcement agency or licensed Live Scan vendor near Montgomery County, fill out the form, and get fingerprinted. Your criminal history transcript will be mailed to you.

Under the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630), the ISP must provide your transcript when you submit through Access and Review. The last page includes a Record Challenge form. If you see an error on your Montgomery County record, fill out that form and send it back to the ISP in Joliet. They will review and respond in writing.

Clearing Criminal History in Montgomery County

Expungement and sealing are the two main ways to clear a criminal history record in Montgomery County. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has a free guide that walks you through the steps. You file a petition with the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk, and the court decides if you qualify. Arrests that did not lead to conviction are often the easiest to get expunged.

Sealed records still exist but are hidden from most searches. Expunged records are destroyed. The rules on which records qualify depend on the charge type and how the case ended. Some felony convictions cannot be expunged or sealed at all under current Illinois law. The ISP charges $60 to process a court order once a judge in Montgomery County signs off on expungement or sealing.

Note: Waiting periods apply for most sealing petitions in Montgomery County, so check the OSAD guide for timelines.

How to Get Montgomery County Criminal History Copies

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk provides copies of criminal history records at the courthouse in Hillsboro. You can request plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are accepted by courts and government agencies. Plain copies cost less and work for personal review.

To get copies, visit the clerk or send a written request by mail with a check for the copy fees. Include the case number or as many details as you can. You can also call (217) 532-9546 to ask about the fees and confirm the case is in their records before you visit. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Montgomery County criminal history records that are older may take extra time to pull from storage, so plan ahead if you need files from cases that are several years old.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Montgomery County. Criminal cases get filed where the offense occurred, so check the right county if you are unsure.