St. Clair County Court Records
What Is St. Clair County Court Records
Court records in St. Clair County encompass the complete body of official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing records, and any other materials filed with or produced by a court in connection with a legal matter. Under Illinois compiled statutes, court records are formally defined as documents and data compilations in any form that are prepared, owned, used, received, or retained by a court in the transaction of official business.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, for example, are held by the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the County Clerk. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are custodied by the clerk of the relevant court.
The following courts currently maintain court records in St. Clair County:
- Circuit Court (20th Judicial Circuit) — handles civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters
- Probate Division — maintains records related to estates, guardianships, and conservatorships
- Family Court Division — retains records for dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support proceedings
- Small Claims Court — holds records for civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts
- Traffic/Ordinance Division — maintains records for traffic violations and local ordinance infractions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois — maintains federal civil and criminal case records
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois — retains records for bankruptcy filings
Members of the public seeking information about the 20th Judicial Circuit may access the St. Clair County Courthouse directory maintained by the Illinois Courts system.
Are Court Records Public In St. Clair County
Court records in St. Clair County are presumptively open to the public under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS § 140/1) establishes the public's right to access government records, and the Illinois Supreme Court's access policies further affirm that judicial records are available for public inspection absent a specific statutory or court-ordered restriction.
The following categories of records are generally available to the public:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records of the Illinois Circuit Court are governed by state law and Illinois Supreme Court Rules, while records of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois are governed by federal law, including the federal common law right of access and applicable Judicial Conference policies.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under current law, including juvenile court records, sealed cases, records pertaining to victims of certain crimes, and mental health proceedings protected under 740 ILCS § 110, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.
How To Find Court Records in St. Clair County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain St. Clair County court records through several official channels. The primary custodian of Circuit Court records is the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office, located at the St. Clair County courthouse complex.
In-Person Access:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information to staff
- Request copies of specific documents; fees apply per page as established by statute
- Bring a valid government-issued photo identification
By Mail:
- Submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk's Office specifying the case number and documents sought
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and applicable copy fees
- Allow additional processing time for mailed requests
Online:
- Access the Illinois courts e-filing and case search portal for available electronic records
- Use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system for federal court records maintained by the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court
By Telephone:
- Contact the Circuit Clerk's Office directly to confirm record availability and request guidance on the appropriate submission process
How To Look Up Court Records in St. Clair County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to St. Clair County court records, depending on the court and case type.
Illinois Circuit Court — eFileIL and Case Search Portal The Illinois Courts system provides an online case search tool through the Illinois e-filing portal, which allows members of the public to search for civil and criminal case information by party name or case number. Search steps include:
- Navigate to the Illinois Courts case search interface
- Select "St. Clair County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter the party name, case number, or attorney name
- Review the docket summary and available documents
PACER — Federal Court Records The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois both provide electronic access to case records through the PACER system. Users must register for a PACER account to access full case documents. Search steps include:
- Register or log in at pacer.uscourts.gov
- Select the appropriate court (Southern District of Illinois — District or Bankruptcy)
- Search by party name, case number, or filing date
- View docket entries and download available documents (per-page fees apply)
St. Clair County Official Website The St. Clair County, Illinois official website provides links to county departments and may direct users to relevant court and clerk resources.
How To Search St. Clair County Court Records for Free?
Illinois law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public court records at no charge. Under 5 ILCS § 140/4, a public body may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records; fees are permissible only for reproduction. Accordingly, any person may visit the Circuit Clerk's Office and inspect available case files without incurring a fee.
The following options are currently available for free record searches:
- In-person inspection at the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office — no charge to view records on-site
- Illinois Courts case search portal — basic docket information is accessible without a fee
- Court calendars and hearing schedules — publicly posted at the courthouse and on the Illinois Courts website at no cost
Federal court records through PACER are subject to a per-page access fee, though users who accrue less than $30 in charges per quarter are not billed. Free access to federal court records may also be available at federal courthouse public terminals.
What's Included in a St. Clair County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
- Motions, responses, and supporting memoranda
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings (motions to enforce, appeals)
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (indictment, information, or complaint)
- Arrest warrant and bond records
- Arraignment and plea records
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
- Trial transcripts and exhibits
- Verdict and sentencing orders
- Probation or supervision records (where publicly accessible)
Family Court Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Child support orders and modifications
- Domestic violence orders of protection (subject to access restrictions)
Probate Records:
- Petition for probate of will or administration of estate
- Inventory of estate assets
- Accountings and distributions
- Guardianship and conservatorship orders
Traffic Records:
- Citation or complaint
- Disposition and fine records
- License suspension or revocation orders
How Long Does St. Clair County Keep Court Records?
St. Clair County Circuit Court records are retained in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which establishes mandatory minimum retention periods for all categories of judicial records. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9 and the applicable administrative orders, retention periods currently in effect include:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 20 years
- Civil case files (general) — retained for a minimum of 7 years after final disposition
- Small claims case files — retained for a minimum of 7 years
- Traffic case files — retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Probate case files — retained permanently or for extended periods depending on the nature of the estate
- Juvenile records — subject to special retention and expungement rules under 705 ILCS § 405
Records that have exceeded their retention period may be destroyed pursuant to court administrative order, and members of the public should confirm current availability with the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Types of Courts In St. Clair County
St. Clair County is served by a multi-tiered court system encompassing both state and federal courts. The hierarchy proceeds from limited-jurisdiction courts at the local level through the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court at the state level, and from the U.S. District Court through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit at the federal level.
St. Clair County Circuit Court (20th Judicial Circuit) The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction for St. Clair County and handles the broadest range of civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters.
St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office 10 Public Square Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-6832 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. St. Clair County, Illinois
U.S. District Court — Southern District of Illinois The federal district court handles civil and criminal matters arising under federal law, including cases involving federal agencies, constitutional claims, and interstate disputes.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois 750 Missouri Avenue East St. Louis, IL 62201 (618) 482-9371 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Southern District of Illinois — U.S. District Court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Illinois The bankruptcy court adjudicates all bankruptcy proceedings filed within the Southern District, including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 cases.
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois 750 Missouri Avenue East St. Louis, IL 62201 (618) 482-9400 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Southern District of Illinois — U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Illinois Appellate Court — Fifth District The Fifth District Appellate Court reviews appeals from Circuit Court decisions in St. Clair County and other counties within its jurisdiction.
Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth Judicial District 14 W. Jefferson Street Mount Vernon, IL 62864 (618) 242-3120 Illinois Courts
What Types of Cases Do St. Clair County Courts Hear?
Each court within St. Clair County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by statute and court rule.
St. Clair County Circuit Court (20th Judicial Circuit):
- Felony and misdemeanor criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes involving any amount in controversy
- Small claims matters (currently up to $10,000)
- Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and paternity
- Child custody, visitation, and support
- Adoption and guardianship
- Probate of wills and administration of decedents' estates
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect proceedings
- Traffic and ordinance violations
- Orders of protection and civil no-contact orders
- Foreclosure and eviction proceedings
U.S. District Court — Southern District of Illinois:
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Civil rights and constitutional claims
- Federal agency actions and administrative appeals
- Diversity jurisdiction cases between citizens of different states
- Intellectual property, securities, and antitrust matters
- Immigration-related civil proceedings
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Illinois:
- Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 business reorganization
- Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman reorganization
- Chapter 13 individual debt adjustment plans
- Adversary proceedings arising within bankruptcy cases
Illinois Appellate Court — Fifth District:
- Appeals from final judgments of the St. Clair County Circuit Court
- Interlocutory appeals as permitted by Illinois Supreme Court Rules
- Original jurisdiction matters as authorized by the Illinois Constitution
How To Find a Court Docket In St. Clair County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access St. Clair County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Use the Illinois Courts electronic case search portal to retrieve docket information for Circuit Court cases by entering the case number or party name
- Access federal case dockets through the PACER system at pacer.uscourts.gov for matters filed in the U.S. District Court or U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois
In-Person at the Courthouse:
- Visit the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office at 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220, during public counter hours
- Request a docket sheet for a specific case by providing the case number or party name
- Public terminals may be available within the clerk's office for self-service docket searches
By Telephone:
- Contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at (618) 277-6832 to confirm case information and docket availability
Hearing Schedules:
- Current hearing schedules and court calendars for the 20th Judicial Circuit are posted through the Illinois Courts directory for St. Clair County, which provides links to oral argument audio, calendars, decisions, and local rules
Which Courts in St. Clair County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and whose judgments carry a presumption of validity. Under 705 ILCS § 35/1, Illinois defines courts of record and distinguishes them from courts not of record, which do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and whose judgments are subject to de novo review on appeal.
At present, all courts operating within St. Clair County at the state level — including all divisions of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court — are courts of record under Illinois law. Illinois abolished its former Justice of the Peace courts and Police Magistrate courts, which historically functioned as courts not of record, through constitutional and statutory reforms that took effect with the 1964 Judicial Article of the Illinois Constitution and subsequent implementing legislation.
Municipal administrative hearing officers and certain quasi-judicial bodies operating within municipalities in St. Clair County may conduct proceedings that do not constitute courts of record. These bodies include:
- Municipal administrative adjudication systems established under 65 ILCS § 5/1-2.1-1 for ordinance violations
- Administrative law proceedings before county or municipal boards
Decisions issued by these bodies are subject to administrative review in the Circuit Court, which serves as the court of record for purposes of any subsequent judicial review.