Perry County Court Records Search

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    Perry County, Illinois, located in the southern part of the state with Pinckneyville as its county seat, maintains an organized system of trial court records covering criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. These official documents are created and preserved by the Circuit Court Clerk and reflect the full history of legal proceedings initiated in the county — from initial filings and docket entries through final judgments and sentencing orders.

    Researchers in Illinois have several reliable paths to court records. Clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and state-managed online tools all provide entry points. IllinoisCourts.us can help you locate publicly available case information and navigate the court system across the state's judicial circuits. For Perry County specifically, most records flow through the 24th Judicial Circuit and its Circuit Court Clerk's office in Pinckneyville.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Perry County?

    Perry County's Circuit Court operates within the 24th Judicial Circuit, which also serves Randolph, Monroe, and Washington counties. All trial-level case records — criminal, civil, traffic, probate, and family — are maintained by the Perry County Circuit Court Clerk, Tricia Chandler.

    Perry County Circuit Court Clerk
    1 Public Square
    Pinckneyville, IL 62274
    Phone: (618) 357-6726
    Fax: (618) 357-8336
    Email: TChandler@perrycountyil.gov

    Methods for accessing case records:

    • In person — Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse during business hours. Bring a case number, party name, or filing date to help speed the search.
    • By phone or email — Contact the clerk's office for guidance on availability before visiting or mailing a request.
    • Online via Judici — Perry County participates in Judici.com, a free public case search platform. You can search criminal, civil, and traffic cases by party name or case number at no charge. Premium services for document access and multi-county searching are also available for subscribers.
    • Online via the Circuit Clerk's portal — The Perry County Circuit Clerk website links to a dedicated Court Record Search Platform for direct online lookups. Confidential record categories are excluded from electronic results per the state's Electronic Access Policy.
    • Illinois Courts Directory — The Perry County Courthouse page on the Illinois Courts website provides additional links to case record search tools, court forms, e-filing, and online payments.

    The clerk's office is the definitive starting point for requesting certified copies. Be prepared to provide identifying details and pay applicable copy fees at the time of your request.

    Are Court Records Public in Perry County?

    Illinois upholds a common law presumption that court records are open to the public. This principle is reinforced by the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records, which governs how electronic case data can be accessed and disseminated. The judicial branch itself is not subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/) in the same manner as executive agencies, but court records remain generally accessible through clerk offices and approved online systems.

    Despite the general openness of court records, Illinois law specifically restricts or seals certain categories:

    • Juvenile records — Under 705 ILCS 405, juvenile court and law enforcement records are confidential and not available to the general public.
    • Adoption records — 750 ILCS 50/18 restricts access to adoption proceedings and final decrees.
    • Mental health commitment records — 740 ILCS 110 protects the confidentiality of mental health records.
    • Sealed and expunged records — Cases subject to sealing or expungement orders are removed from public access entirely.

    Even when records are publicly accessible, clerks are required to redact sensitive personal identifiers before release. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account details are among the items routinely removed from any copies provided to the public. The Electronic Access Policy also restricts which case types and documents can be accessed remotely through online systems.

    Perry County Criminal Court Records

    The Perry County Circuit Court is the venue for all felony criminal prosecutions in the county, handling the full range of criminal matters — from misdemeanors and traffic offenses at the lower end to Class X felonies requiring jury trials. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains every document generated by these proceedings, including criminal complaints, indictments, arrest warrants, bond orders, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders.

    Online criminal case search:Judici.com provides free access to Perry County criminal case dockets and basic case information. The platform is updated regularly and covers a broad range of case types. The Illinois Courts' case records search tools, accessible through the Perry County Courthouse directory page, are an additional resource.

    Arrest records and inmate information:

    Arrest records are generated by law enforcement agencies — primarily the Perry County Sheriff's Office — and are separate from the court case files maintained by the Circuit Clerk.

    Perry County Sheriff's Office
    12 East Water Street
    P.O. Box 350
    Pinckneyville, IL 62274
    Phone: (618) 357-5212
    Fax: (618) 357-3606

    The Sheriff's Office can be contacted for information about arrests and local detention. The Perry County Sheriff also maintains an app for residents to connect with the office, submit tips, and access public information.

    Criminal history restrictions: Illinois law limits what criminal history information is publicly available in certain contexts. Juvenile records remain confidential under 705 ILCS 405/1-7 and 1-8 regardless of the nature of the offense. Expunged or sealed adult criminal records are no longer accessible through public channels once the court's order takes effect.

    Perry County Civil Court Records

    The Perry County Circuit Court handles all civil litigation filed within the county, including general civil disputes such as contract claims, personal injury actions, property disputes, and landlord-tenant matters. The court also maintains jurisdiction over small claims cases — a simplified procedure available for disputes involving $10,000 or less under Illinois Supreme Court rules.

    Filing fees for civil matters vary by case type and amount in controversy. For small claims, Illinois courts typically charge filing fees ranging from approximately $89 for claims up to $2,500, up to $264 or more for claims approaching the $10,000 ceiling. Confirm current fees directly with the Circuit Court Clerk at (618) 357-6726, as fee schedules can be updated by local court order. The Illinois Courts' small claims self-help page also provides step-by-step guidance on the filing process and required forms.

    Accessing civil case records:

    • Search basic case data free through Judici.com
    • Use the Circuit Clerk's Court Record Search Platform for online record lookups
    • Request copies in person at the courthouse; bring a case number or party name
    • Submit written mail requests to the Circuit Clerk at 1 Public Square, Pinckneyville, IL 62274

    Copies of civil records carry a per-page fee set by the Circuit Clerk. Certified copies require an additional certification charge. The clerk's office will advise on current rates at the time of the request.

    Perry County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Perry County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and termination of parental rights — are filed with and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. The Circuit Court has full jurisdiction over these proceedings as part of its general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters in the county.

    Divorce case files are public records and can be searched through Judici or in person at the clerk's office. Search using both parties' names, the case number, or the year the divorce was finalized. Only divorces adjudicated within Perry County are held by the Circuit Clerk. Complete divorce files — including property settlement agreements and parenting plans — are available for inspection or copying upon request, subject to redaction of personal identifiers.

    Adoption records are a significant exception. Under 750 ILCS 50/18, adoption records are sealed from public view and require a court order to access. Similarly, any proceedings involving dependent or neglected minors under the Juvenile Court Act are confidential.

    Marriage records are maintained by the Perry County Clerk's Office, located separately from the Circuit Court Clerk:

    Perry County Clerk
    Perry County Government Building
    3764 State Routes 13-127, Room 204
    Pinckneyville, IL 62274
    Phone: (618) 357-5116
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license, presenting valid photo identification. The application fee is $50.00. The license takes effect the day after issuance and is valid for 60 days. Couples must be married in Perry County, regardless of their county of residence. Certified copies of a returned and indexed marriage license cost $18.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Copies can be obtained in person, by mail, or online through the Illinois E-Pay portal. Applications must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m.

    Birth records are held by the County Clerk under 410 ILCS 535/25, which restricts access to the person named (if 18 or older), their parents or legal guardian, state or federal government agencies, or anyone with a court order. Birth records become publicly available as genealogical records once they are 70 years old. Certified birth certificates cost $18.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same certificate. Uncertified genealogical copies are available for $5.00. Requests can be made in person, by mail with a copy of valid photo ID and payment, or online through Illinois E-Pay. Online requests carry additional convenience fees not collected by the County Clerk.

    Death records are similarly restricted for 50 years from the date of creation, accessible only to those with a genealogical, personal, or property interest in the record, state or federal agencies, or individuals with a court order. Certified death certificates cost $24.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Genealogical copies cost $5.00. The request process — in person, by mail, or via Illinois E-Pay — mirrors that for birth certificates.

    Perry County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Perry County are handled by the Circuit Court as part of its general jurisdiction. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all probate records, including filings related to the administration of decedents' estates, will proceedings, conservatorships, and guardianships of adults and minors. Original estates and wills on file with the clerk's office date back to the county's early history and represent a significant source for both legal and genealogical research.

    What probate records contain:

    • Petitions to admit a will to probate
    • Letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Inventories of estate assets
    • Claims filed by creditors
    • Final accountings and orders of distribution
    • Guardianship and conservatorship appointment orders
    • Name change petitions

    Probate records are generally public unless a specific court order restricts access. Basic case information — including party names, case numbers, and docket entries — can be searched through Judici.com at no charge. For complete probate file documents, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly at (618) 357-6726 or visit in person at 1 Public Square, Pinckneyville, IL 62274.

    To request probate records in person:

    1. Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Perry County Courthouse.
    2. Provide the name of the decedent or ward, along with an approximate filing date or case number if available.
    3. Request an inspection or copies of the identified file.
    4. Pay any applicable copy fees at the time of the request.

    For mail requests, write to Circuit Court Clerk Tricia Chandler at the courthouse address. Include the decedent's or ward's full name, approximate filing year, and a daytime contact number. The clerk will advise on fees before processing the request.

      Perry County Court Records Search - IllinoisCourts.us