Clinton County DUI Records

Clinton County DUI records are maintained through the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in Carlyle, Illinois. This page explains how to find court case records, criminal history reports, and driving abstracts tied to DUI arrests and convictions in Clinton County. The Circuit Clerk, County Sheriff, Illinois State Police, and Secretary of State each hold different pieces of the record, and knowing which office to contact saves time.

Circuit Clerk of Clinton County

The Clinton County Circuit Clerk is Rod Kloeckner. His office handles all court case filings in the 20th Judicial Circuit and is the primary source for DUI case records. When someone is charged with DUI under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the case is filed with this office, and a case number is assigned. That number tracks all court dates, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing orders.

You can request a copy of a DUI case file by contacting the office directly. The clerk can provide certified copies of court documents, which are often needed for license reinstatement hearings or legal proceedings. Remote or online access to individual case files is limited, so most requests are handled in person or by mail.

The Clinton County Circuit Clerk website has general information about court services and hours. Call ahead before visiting to confirm document availability and any copy fees that may apply to your request.

The clerk's site lists office hours and contact details for anyone who needs to request DUI case documents in person or by mail.

Clinton County Sheriff and FOIA Requests

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office handles DUI arrests in unincorporated parts of the county and maintains arrest records for those incidents. If you want the arrest report, booking information, or incident details tied to a DUI stop, the Sheriff's Office is where to start. These records are public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, and you can submit a FOIA request by contacting their office.

The Sheriff can provide arrest logs and reports, but will not have the court outcome. Court outcomes live with the Circuit Clerk. For a full picture of a DUI case, you typically need both offices.

The Sheriff's Office website provides FOIA request instructions and contact information for the records division.

Visiting the site will give you the current FOIA submission process, including whether email or written requests are accepted.

Illinois DUI Law: What the Record Shows

Illinois DUI law under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher, or while impaired by drugs or alcohol. A first DUI offense is a Class A misdemeanor. The third offense becomes a Class 4 felony. Each step up adds more to the criminal record and brings longer license consequences.

When a driver is arrested for DUI, a Statutory Summary Suspension often kicks in right away under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1. If the driver refuses a breath or chemical test, the suspension lasts 12 months. If they fail, it is 6 months. This suspension is separate from any criminal conviction and can show up on both court records and the driving abstract.

One thing many people do not know: DUI convictions in Illinois cannot be expunged or sealed. Under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, a DUI conviction stays on the criminal history permanently. This applies to records held by the Illinois State Police and visible in background checks.

Illinois State Police Criminal History Records

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Bureau of Identification maintains statewide criminal history records, including DUI convictions from all 102 counties. You can request a record check through two main channels.

If you want your own record, the ISP My Record portal at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/MyRecord lets you view and print your own Illinois criminal history. For third-party checks that comply with state law, requestors must use the CHIRP system (Criminal History Information Response Process). This online system is used by courts, attorneys, and authorized agencies to access official Illinois criminal history records.

The ISP Bureau of Identification can be reached at 815-740-5160. Their main page is at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification. Because DUI convictions cannot be sealed, they remain visible in ISP records indefinitely once the conviction is entered.

Secretary of State Driving Records

The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) keeps driving records that show license status, suspensions, and DUI-related driving history. A standard driving abstract costs $20 and can be ordered through the SOS website at ilsos.gov. This is a different document than the criminal record, but it often shows the Statutory Summary Suspension if one was imposed.

If a license was revoked after a DUI conviction under 625 ILCS 5/6-205, the driver must petition the Secretary of State for reinstatement. That process involves a formal hearing. The SOS Office of Administrative Hearings handles these cases at ilsos.gov/departments/administrative-hearings.html. The SOS Driver Analysis Section can be reached at 217-782-2720 for questions about license status and hearing scheduling.

For drivers in the Clinton County area, the nearest SOS facility for in-person matters is in the Belleville or Collinsville area. Call the SOS main line to confirm the closest hearing location for your county.

DUI Evaluations and Risk Assessments

Before a driver in Illinois can get a revoked license reinstated after a DUI, they must complete a formal DUI evaluation. This is a risk assessment done by a licensed evaluator. The result places the driver in a risk category that determines what treatment or education is needed before the SOS will consider reinstatement.

Evaluators in the Carlyle and surrounding Clinton County area are licensed through the Illinois Department of Human Services. You can find a list of licensed evaluators through the SOS or by asking the Circuit Clerk's office for a referral. The evaluation is required even for a first DUI if it resulted in revocation. The report from the evaluator is submitted as part of the reinstatement hearing process with the Secretary of State.

Some courts also require an evaluation as part of sentencing before a final disposition. Check with the 20th Circuit Court for local practices in Clinton County cases.

Cities in Clinton County

Carlyle is the county seat of Clinton County and is home to the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office. Other communities in the county include Breese, Aviston, Trenton, and Bartelso. None of these cities reach the population threshold for a dedicated page, but residents of all Clinton County communities use the same 20th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Carlyle for DUI case proceedings.

Nearby Counties

Clinton County shares borders with several other Illinois counties, each with their own circuit court handling DUI cases.