Criminal records of Macoupin County, Illinois, are available through several channels. MacoupinCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, the county circuit court clerk's office, law enforcement agencies, and the sheriff's office. Below is a practical guide on how to search, understand, and obtain criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Macoupin
There are several ways to start searching for criminal records.
Online Search
- MacoupinCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available information about court criminal cases.
- Macoupin County Self-Service Portal — an online tool from the Clerk & Recorder's office that serves as an index to documents. Note: this is an index, not the full text of cases.
- Illinois Courts Portal — a statewide resource with reference information about courts, including the Macoupin County Courthouse page, which has links to online records, forms, and schedules.
- Criminal History through Illinois State Police — since 1991, the Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA) allows the public to request conviction information. Requests are submitted to the Bureau of Identification.
- Illinois State Police Offender Registry — search for registered sex offenders by county, name, or address.
- IDOC Inmate Search — a database from the Illinois Department of Corrections to check the status of individuals in custody.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Macoupin County Courthouse. The Criminal and Traffic Division is located on the first floor. Court Clerk Amy Ashby can assist with case searches through public access terminals or provide document copies.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the circuit court clerk at the address above. For a complete state-level criminal history, contact the Bureau of Identification at the Illinois State Police. To check your own criminal history, you need to undergo the Access & Review procedure via Live Scan.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Macoupin Criminal Cases by Case Number
Illinois courts use a standardized case number format. Starting in 2023, a statewide numbering system is in place, but older cases may have a different format.
The typical structure of a case number:
- Year — two-digit or four-digit year of case filing
- Case Type Code — letter designation of the category: CF (criminal felony), CM (criminal misdemeanor), TR (traffic violations), DT (DUI)
- Sequential Number — unique number within the year and category
For example, the number 2024-CF-000123 indicates a criminal felony filed in 2024 with sequential number 123. If you know the case number, the search is much more accurate than by name — especially when the surname is common. Enter the number in the appropriate field on the self-service portal or request it from the court clerk.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Macoupin
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, e.g., 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05 |
| Severity Level | Felony (felony — classes X, 1, 2, 3, 4), Misdemeanor (misdemeanor — classes A, B, C), or Petty Offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or drop individual charges during the process |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
Cases in the Macoupin County Courthouse go through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant is read the charges
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial Conference — a meeting of the parties to discuss agreements or procedural issues
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Macoupin
Certified copies of criminal cases are issued by the circuit court clerk. These are official documents with the court seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office at the Macoupin County Courthouse. The office is open from 8:30 to 16:30, Monday–Friday.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name of the party, the case number (if known), and a return address. Include payment in the form of a check or money order.
State-Level Criminal History
The complete criminal history record (not just county court cases) is maintained by the Bureau of Identification at the Illinois State Police. To obtain it:
- Submit a request according to the Uniform Conviction Information Act
- To view your own record — undergo the Access & Review procedure via Live Scan
- Additional questions can be sent to ISP.BOI.Customer.Support@illinois.gov
Requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may also apply to certain categories of government records.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Macoupin
Specific fee amounts are set according to the Illinois Circuit Court fee schedule. Below are typical fee categories for Macoupin County.
| Service | Estimated Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50–$2.00 | The exact amount depends on the type of document; check with the clerk |
| Certification fee | $5.00–$10.00 | Added to the copying cost |
| Criminal history check (ISP) | Varies | Depends on the type of check — name-based or fingerprint-based |
| Access & Review (own record via ISP) | Set by ISP | Includes the cost of Live Scan |
Processing Time
- In-Person Visit — copies are usually issued the same day if the case is available in the electronic system
- Mail Request — one to three weeks depending on volume and office workload
- Request to ISP — processing time depends on the submission method; electronic requests are faster than paper ones
The current fee list can be found on the Macoupin County Courthouse page under the Fee Schedule section. Before sending a mail request, call the clerk's office to confirm the current amount and acceptable forms of payment.