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Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan asserted that search warrants are public records, noting that the state’s Freedom of Information Act does not apply to court records but is governed by the Clerk of Court Act . This measure provides that virtually all court documents are public. The opinion follows an official’s refusal to issue court orders detailing the Sangamon County police investigation. (12/28/07)
How to Check if You Have a Warrant Out in Illinois
Many people find it difficult to find out if they have outstanding warrants in Illinois. This is quite unfortunate given the potential penalties that often result when someone ignores a court order. These penalties include jail time, large fines, or even probation. Therefore, it is important that you know how to check for active arrest warrants against you or your loved ones to avoid prosecution. We recommend that.
There are so many cops on the streets of your neighborhood. You can contact one of them and ask them to do a warranty search for you. However, if the answer is yes, you can be arrested.
Illinois Search Warrant
When the Illinois Police Department needs a court order to conduct a search, they can obtain a search warrant from a neutral and independent judge. Law enforcement officials should compel the judge with potential reason to believe that criminal activity may be taking place or that criminal evidence may be found at a particular location. The police usually provide the information to the judge in the form of documents drawn up under oath, so-called affidavits. These complaints reflect observations made by the police officer or by private individuals or law enforcement informants. If the judge is satisfied that the affidavit provides a probable cause for investigating the required location, he or she will issue the warrant.
You can go to an Illinois police station and ask if they have a warrant out for your arrest. Of course, this can be a risky method since the police will question you about the warrant. A less direct technique is probably a more appropriate course. You can search online for a district court or sheriff’s department to see if they have databases of pending warrants. Within the larger counties, you should expect these records to be more accurate compared to smaller counties. In fact, small counties may not have these types of resources. For federal orders, you need to find the federal court in your district.