Criminal records in DuPage County, Illinois, can be accessed through several channels. DuPageCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for cases filed in the county. Beyond that, the 18th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains official court records, while the DuPage County Sheriff's Office holds arrest and incarceration records. The DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton also offers in-person access to case files and public terminals.
How to Search Criminal Records in DuPage
There are several ways to look up criminal records in DuPage County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or case number will make any search more productive.
Through DuPageCourt.us
DuPageCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available court record information from DuPage County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
Online — Official Court Systems
- Circuit Clerk Public Information Application: The DuPage Circuit Clerk's online case search lets you look up case status, next court dates, charges, and disposition information. You'll need to accept the user agreement before searching.
- Illinois Department of Corrections: To check whether someone is currently in state custody, use the IDOC Individual in Custody Search. You can search by last name or IDOC number.
In Person
Visit the DuPage County Courthouse to access criminal case files at the Circuit Clerk's office or use public access terminals in the building.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the DuPage County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. Enclose the applicable fees.
- Arrest and incarceration records: Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, orders of protection, accident reports, and incarceration records.
- State criminal history: For a comprehensive criminal history report, contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. Fingerprint-based background checks can be requested through ISP for authorized purposes.
What You Need to Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if available)
- Type of record sought (criminal, traffic, felony, misdemeanor)
Search DuPage Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Illinois circuit courts use a standardized case numbering format. In DuPage County (18th Judicial Circuit), case numbers typically follow this pattern:
- Year: The two- or four-digit filing year (e.g., 2024)
- Case type code: A two-letter abbreviation indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Criminal Felony
- CM — Criminal Misdemeanor
- DT — DUI / Traffic
- TR — Traffic
- Sequence number: A unique number assigned sequentially within that case type for the year
For example, a case number like 2024CF000123 refers to a felony case filed in 2024. Enter the full case number into the Circuit Clerk's online search tool to pull up charges, hearing dates, and case status.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in DuPage
Criminal case records in DuPage County contain several data points. Here's what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) citation for the offense charged (e.g., 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05 for aggravated battery) |
| Severity level | Felony (Classes X, 1, 2, 3, 4), Misdemeanor (Classes A, B, C), or petty/business offense |
| Amended charges | Charges may be amended by the State's Attorney before or during trial — the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
Case Status
- Pending: Case filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Case is currently being adjudicated with upcoming hearings
- Disposed: Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All proceedings and obligations (such as sentencing terms) are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Initial court appearance where charges are formally read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing: A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss discovery, motions, and potential resolution
- Trial: Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or court orders
DuPage County handles felony cases through its Felony Division and misdemeanor and traffic matters through the Misdemeanor & Traffic Division.
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Disposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant found or pleaded guilty |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the State's Attorney or dismissed by the court |
| Nolle prosequi | State's Attorney elected not to prosecute |
| Stricken with leave to reinstate | Case removed from the docket but may be refiled within a set period |
| Withheld judgment / supervision | Court defers judgment; successful completion may avoid a conviction on the record |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in DuPage
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the DuPage County Circuit Clerk's office. These are official, court-sealed documents accepted for legal proceedings, employment verification, and licensing applications.
How to Submit a Request
- Online: The Circuit Clerk's office partners with I2File for ordering copies of court documents. Register with I2File, then request the specific documents you need.
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the DuPage County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Ask the clerk for certified copies of the specific case records.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address below. Include the case number, defendant's full name, the specific documents requested, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Arrest Records and Incarceration Records
These are maintained by the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Submit a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office specifying the type of record you need (arrest report, booking record, etc.).
What You Need
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Full name and date of birth of the subject
- Case number (strongly recommended)
- Payment for fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in DuPage
Fees for criminal record copies in DuPage County are set by Illinois statute and local court rules. The table below reflects standard fees based on the Illinois Clerk of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/27.2a) and the DuPage Circuit Clerk's published fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $6.00 for the first page, $2.00 each additional page |
| Non-certified copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certification / authentication | $6.00 per document |
| Case search (name-based, at the counter) | No charge for basic lookups; fees may apply for printed results |
| FOIA request (Sheriff's Office) | First 50 pages free for black-and-white copies; $0.15 per page thereafter (per Illinois FOIA, 5 ILCS 140) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Usually processed the same day or within one to two business days, depending on volume.
- Mail requests: Allow 7–14 business days for processing and return mailing.
- Online (I2File) requests: Processing varies; electronic copies may be available within a few business days after the clerk processes the order.
- FOIA requests (Sheriff): Illinois FOIA requires a response within 5 business days, with a possible 5-business-day extension.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the DuPage County Circuit Clerk before submitting payment.