Perry County DUI Records

Perry County DUI records are filed with the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court in Pinckneyville, Illinois, with additional records held by the Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, and Secretary of State. This page covers where to find court case files, criminal history, and driving records tied to DUI arrests and convictions in Perry County.

Circuit Clerk of Perry County

Tricia Kelly Chandler serves as the Perry County Circuit Clerk. Her office is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit and maintains all DUI case records filed in the county. When a DUI charge is filed under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the clerk's office assigns a case number and keeps the complete court record, including charging documents, motions, court dates, plea entries, and any sentencing information.

Copies of court records can be requested from the clerk's office. Certified copies are often needed for license reinstatement hearings or legal proceedings. Most requests are handled in person or by mail. Call the office to confirm document availability, current fees, and office hours before you visit or send a request by mail.

The clerk's office can tell you whether a case file is available, how to request copies, and what payment methods are accepted for record requests in Perry County.

The ISP Bureau of Identification holds the statewide criminal history database, which includes DUI convictions reported by Perry County courts.

Perry County Sheriff

The Perry County Sheriff's Office handles DUI arrests in unincorporated parts of the county. The arrest records, including reports and booking documents, are held by the Sheriff and are available under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. A FOIA request to the Sheriff's records division is the way to get copies of arrest-related documents from a DUI stop in Perry County.

The Sheriff holds the arrest record. The Circuit Clerk holds the court record. These are two separate sources, and you often need both to get the full picture of a DUI case. The Sheriff can provide details about the stop and arrest but will not have the court outcome, plea, or sentencing information.

Check the Sheriff's website for current FOIA request instructions and hours for the records division before submitting your request.

Illinois DUI Law and What It Means for Records

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois makes it a crime to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or above. Impairment by drugs or other substances also qualifies. A first DUI is a Class A misdemeanor. A second offense brings heavier consequences. The third offense is a Class 4 felony, placing the conviction on a permanent felony record.

At the time of arrest, a Statutory Summary Suspension typically goes into effect under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1. Refusing a breath or chemical test results in a 12-month suspension. Failing the test brings a 6-month suspension. The suspension is a separate administrative action from the criminal case. It shows on the driving abstract kept by the Secretary of State and on certain court records.

Illinois law under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 bars DUI convictions from being expunged or sealed. Once a DUI conviction is entered and reported to the ISP, it stays permanently in the statewide criminal history. No amount of time changes that. The record remains visible in any search that pulls Illinois criminal history data from the ISP database.

The ISP criminal history page explains what the statewide record includes and how to submit a request for criminal history information, including records of DUI convictions.

Illinois State Police Criminal History

The ISP Bureau of Identification is the central source for statewide criminal history in Illinois. DUI convictions from Perry County courts are reported to and stored in the ISP database. The bureau can be reached at 815-740-5160. Their main records page is at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification.

To view your own record, use the ISP My Record portal. For authorized third-party criminal history requests, the CHIRP system at chirp.isp.illinois.gov is the official channel for courts, attorneys, and licensed agencies. The ISP criminal history page at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/CriminalHistory covers both access methods.

Secretary of State Driving Records

The Illinois Secretary of State holds driving records that include license status, suspensions, and DUI-related entries. A driving abstract costs $20 and is ordered at ilsos.gov. The abstract is not the same as the criminal record, but it will show a Statutory Summary Suspension if one was imposed at the time of a DUI arrest in Perry County.

If a DUI conviction leads to mandatory revocation under 625 ILCS 5/6-205, the driver must petition the SOS for reinstatement through a formal hearing. The SOS Office of Administrative Hearings handles those at ilsos.gov/departments/administrative-hearings.html. The SOS Driver Analysis Section at 217-782-2720 can answer questions about license status and hearing scheduling for drivers in Perry County.

DUI Evaluations and Reinstatement Process

Getting a revoked Illinois license reinstated after a DUI requires a DUI evaluation by a licensed evaluator. The evaluator's report places the driver in a risk category and identifies what treatment or education must be completed before a reinstatement hearing can move forward with the SOS. Evaluators are licensed through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

In Perry County and the surrounding area, the 2nd Judicial Circuit courts may require an evaluation as part of sentencing even before the case closes. Confirm with the Circuit Clerk's office or an attorney familiar with 2nd Circuit practice what is typically required locally. After finishing any required programs, the evaluation report is submitted as part of the SOS administrative hearing process.

Reinstatement decisions rest with the SOS hearing officer who reviews the full record. Allow enough time for the process, as scheduling and document review take time. Start early if you know a hearing will be needed for a Perry County DUI case.

Getting Perry County Court Records

Perry County does not have a public online portal for pulling individual DUI case files. The Illinois Courts website provides general circuit court information but not case-level records for Perry County. Case documents must be requested directly from the Circuit Clerk's office in Pinckneyville.

Mail requests work if you cannot visit in person. Include the full name on the case, the case number if you have it, and the specific documents you want. The clerk will tell you the fee and how to pay. Certified copies take a bit longer to prepare, so factor that into your timeline if certified documents are what you need.

Cities in Perry County

Pinckneyville is the county seat and the location of the Circuit Clerk and Sheriff's offices for Perry County. Other communities in the county include Du Quoin, Tamaroa, and Swanwick. None of these cities reach the population threshold for a dedicated page. Residents across Perry County use the 2nd Judicial Circuit courthouse in Pinckneyville for DUI proceedings.

Nearby Counties

Perry County borders several other Illinois counties, each with their own circuit court for DUI cases.