Fulton County Public Records / Fulton County Arrest Records

Fulton County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Fulton County in 2026

FultonCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Fulton County, Illinois. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, mugshots, and court case data through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, jail rosters, criminal court filings, bond information, and disposition records. All information presented reflects data sourced from official government repositories and is subject to the limitations of public disclosure law.

Records may be searched through official government resources, the Fulton County Clerk of Court, law enforcement agency portals, public access terminals at county offices, and state-level online tools.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Fulton County Sheriff maintains booking records and jail roster information for individuals taken into custody within the county's jurisdiction. The publicly accessible jail roster reflects current in-custody status and is updated on a regular basis. Information available through the Sheriff's Office includes the arrestee's full name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about specific arrest records not reflected in the online roster.

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Canton Police Department and other municipal law enforcement agencies operating within Fulton County maintain their own arrest logs and incident records. Press releases containing arrest information are periodically published by these departments. Members of the public seeking arrest records from a specific municipal jurisdiction should direct requests to the relevant city police department's records division.

Canton Police Department
2 N. Main Street
Canton, IL 61520
Phone: (309) 647-5131
City of Canton

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Fulton County Circuit Clerk maintains criminal court case records that are directly linked to arrest events. Members of the public may search case records by the defendant's name to identify court proceedings associated with a specific arrest. The Illinois Courts system provides an online case search portal through which users may access case numbers, hearing dates, charge descriptions, and disposition information.

Fulton County Circuit Clerk
100 N. Main Street
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County Circuit Clerk

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Members of the public and authorized entities may submit requests for criminal history records, which include arrest data from all Illinois jurisdictions. A name-based search is available for a fee, while fingerprint-based searches provide more precise results. The Bureau of Identification processes requests submitted by individuals seeking to review their own criminal history records as well as requests from authorized third parties.

Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 740-5160
Bureau of Identification

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Fulton County Sheriff's Office
255 W. Lincoln Avenue
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3381
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Fulton County Sheriff

Members of the public visiting the Sheriff's Office in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the full legal name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and any known booking number. Copy fees apply to printed records.

Clerk of Court:

Fulton County Circuit Clerk
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fulton County Circuit Clerk

Criminal case files are available for inspection at the Clerk's office. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with applicable state fee schedules.

By Mail:

Written requests submitted to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requester's complete contact information. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the written request. Processing time varies based on request volume and record availability.

By Phone:

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (309) 547-3381 during regular business hours. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Detailed record information is not released by telephone and requesters may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest and booking records through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas directed to the custodian of records compel production of documents in legal proceedings. Defense counsel and prosecutors access arrest records as part of the standard discovery exchange governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rules.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Location of arrest (which jurisdiction)

Are Arrest Records Public in Fulton County

Arrest records in Fulton County are public records subject to disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, codified at 5 ILCS 140. As the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor states, "FOIA is a state law that provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The premise behind FOIA is that the public has a right to know what their government is doing." Arrest records are maintained by law enforcement agencies as official government documents and are presumptively open to public inspection absent a specific statutory exemption.

The public interest in access to arrest records reflects several recognized governmental purposes:

Government transparency and accountability
Public safety awareness
Support for journalism and academic research
Background screening for employment and licensing
Use in civil and criminal legal proceedings
Community notification regarding law enforcement activity

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Illinois law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access upon court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities are exempt from disclosure
Confidential informant information is protected
Victim identifying information is restricted in certain offense categories
Records pertaining to participants in witness protection programs are not disclosed

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The Illinois Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1, establishes the principle that public records are open to inspection. The balance between governmental transparency and individual privacy is addressed through statutory exemptions within 5 ILCS 140/7, which enumerates categories of information that agencies may withhold. First Amendment protections support press access to arrest information as a matter of public concern.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers conducting background screening (subject to Fair Credit Reporting Act restrictions)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing and regulatory agencies
Licensed background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records in hiring decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., which governs the permissible use of consumer reports including criminal history data. Illinois law further restricts the use of arrest records without convictions in employment decisions under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Arrest records reflect an accusation, not a finding of guilt, and the distinction between an arrest and a conviction carries significant legal weight in employment and housing contexts.

What's in Fulton County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks including scars and tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, Illinois State Police)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information where applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Illinois statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications
Felony degree or misdemeanor class
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation where applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time if applicable
Release conditions where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during investigation
Investigative techniques and methods
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in booking records
Court records: Document legal proceedings occurring after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Fulton County?

Members of the public may inspect public records at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk's office without charge. Fees are assessed for copies of records in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/6, which governs the fees public bodies may charge for reproducing records.

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.15 per page (black and white)
Color copies	$0.15 per page
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic records (where available)	No charge in many cases
Illinois State Police name-based search	$16.00 per request
Illinois State Police fingerprint-based search	$30.00 per request

Accepted payment methods at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the respective office. The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification accepts payment by money order or certified check for mail-in requests.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver at the time of the records request.

Inspection of records at public access terminals located within county offices is available at no charge. Individuals seeking only to review a record without obtaining copies are not assessed a fee for that inspection.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Fulton County

Under Illinois law, arrest records may be subject to expungement (physical destruction or return of records) or sealing (restriction of public access while records are retained). These are distinct legal remedies. Expungement results in the destruction or return of arrest records to the petitioner, while sealing restricts public access but permits law enforcement and certain authorized agencies to continue accessing the records.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act, 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, individuals may petition for expungement of arrests that did not result in conviction, including:

Arrests where charges were never filed
Arrests where charges were dismissed
Arrests resulting in acquittal
Arrests where the individual successfully completed a qualified supervision or diversion program

Certain waiting periods apply depending on the offense and disposition. Arrests resulting in felony convictions are not eligible for expungement under current law.

Eligibility for Sealing:

Sealing is available for a broader range of offenses, including certain misdemeanor and felony convictions, subject to waiting periods and offense-type restrictions. Class X felonies, offenses requiring sex offender registration, and certain violent offenses are not eligible for sealing.

Steps to Petition for Expungement or Sealing:

Obtain a copy of the criminal history record from the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification to identify all arrests subject to the petition.
Complete the Illinois State Police Expungement/Sealing Petition forms, available through the Circuit Clerk's office.
File the petition with the Fulton County Circuit Clerk and pay the applicable filing fee (fee waivers are available for indigent petitioners).
Serve copies of the petition on the State's Attorney's Office and all law enforcement agencies named in the petition.
Attend the scheduled hearing before a Fulton County Circuit Court judge.
If the petition is granted, the court order is transmitted to all relevant agencies directing destruction or sealing of records.

Fulton County Circuit Clerk
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County Circuit Clerk

Fulton County State's Attorney's Office
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County State's Attorney

Individuals who cannot afford private legal counsel may seek assistance from Prairie State Legal Services or the Illinois Legal Aid Online resource at illinoislegalaid.org.

What Happens After Arrest in Fulton County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest within Fulton County, the arrested individual is transported to the Fulton County Jail located at the Sheriff's Office facility in Lewistown. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene while the arresting officer completes initial documentation.

Fulton County Jail
255 W. Lincoln Avenue
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3381
Fulton County Sheriff

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Fulton County Jail, the booking process is initiated. The process typically requires one to four hours depending on facility volume. The booking process includes the following steps:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously administered
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to the Illinois State Police
Criminal history check conducted
Outstanding warrants check performed
Personal property inventoried and secured
Medical and mental health screening completed
Housing classification assigned

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Illinois law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge for a first appearance within 48 hours of arrest. At the initial hearing, the court formally notifies the defendant of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the defendant of the right to counsel, and appoints the public defender if the defendant is determined to be indigent. Initial hearings may be conducted via video conference from the jail facility.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the Clerk of Court. The amount is refunded upon conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees and costs.

Surety Bond: The defendant engages a licensed bail bondsman who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent of the total bond.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released upon a written promise to appear at all future court dates. No monetary payment is required. The court considers community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and flight risk in making this determination.

No Bond: The court may order the defendant held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or outstanding out-of-state warrants.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the defendant is processed for release within one to eight hours. The defendant receives written conditions of release, a court date, and a return of personal property. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant.

If bond is not posted, the defendant is assigned to a housing unit within the Fulton County Jail, receives an orientation to jail rules and procedures, and is provided information regarding commissary, telephone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Fulton County Public Defender's Office
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County Public Defender

Eligibility for public defender representation is based on financial need. Defendants who retain private counsel may arrange confidential attorney visits at the jail facility.

Charging Decision:

The Fulton County State's Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file charges different from those listed at booking. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest. For felony offenses, the State's Attorney may present the matter to a grand jury, which determines whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, preserving all pretrial rights. Subsequent court dates are set at this hearing.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase involves discovery exchange between the prosecution and defense, pretrial motions including motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, and pretrial conferences. Plea negotiations may result in a plea agreement at any point prior to verdict. Cases that do not resolve through plea agreement proceed to jury or bench trial.

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness unavailability, or legal defects
Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court; successful completion results in dismissal
Plea Agreement: Defendant pleads guilty or no contest to agreed charges with a negotiated sentencing recommendation
Trial: Jury or bench trial resulting in a verdict of guilty or not guilty

Sentencing (if convicted):

The sentencing judge may impose imprisonment, probation, fines and court costs, restitution to victims, community service, mandatory treatment, or a combination of these sanctions. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. The defendant retains the right to appeal a conviction and sentence.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 48 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to several months
Felonies: Resolved within several months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: 120 days for defendants in custody; 160 days for defendants on bond under Illinois law

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Fulton County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
255 W. Lincoln Avenue
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3381
Fulton County Sheriff

Fulton County Circuit Clerk
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County Circuit Clerk

Fulton County State's Attorney's Office
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County State's Attorney

Fulton County Public Defender's Office
100 N. Main Street, Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County Public Defender

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of bond release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Fulton County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Local Records Act, 50 ILCS 205, and the records retention schedules approved by the Illinois Local Records Commission. Retention periods vary based on the type of record, the agency maintaining it, and the disposition of the underlying case.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, and Illinois State Police
Maintained indefinitely in the FBI's Interstate Identification Index
Appear on background checks without time limitation

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Circuit Clerk
Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of five years following case closure
Illinois State Police retains records in the state criminal history repository indefinitely

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of five years
Court records are retained permanently unless expunged by court order
Records remain in the state repository unless expunged

Acquittals (Not Guilty Verdicts):

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of five years
Court records are retained permanently
Eligible for expungement under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records retained for a minimum of five years
Eligible for expungement immediately in many cases under current Illinois law

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Digital records maintained in the Sheriff's records management system and the Circuit Clerk's electronic case management system are retained in accordance with the applicable retention schedule and are not subject to automatic deletion. Physical booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained for the periods specified in the Local Records Commission schedule. Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense classification.

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and online public records aggregators may retain arrest information indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention and expungement obligations as government agencies. These entities are required under the FCRA to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy, but they may not update records promptly following expungement or sealing. Individuals who have obtained an expungement order should notify major background check providers directly and may dispute inaccurate records under FCRA procedures.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:

Booking records: Minimum five years; permanent for felony cases
Arrest reports: Minimum five years
Investigative files: Varies by offense classification
Contact: (309) 547-3381

Circuit Clerk:

Felony case files: Permanent
Misdemeanor case files: Minimum seven years following case closure
Traffic cases: Minimum five years
Electronic records: Permanent

Illinois State Police Repository: The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains the state's central criminal history repository and retains arrest records from all Illinois jurisdictions. Retention in the state repository is permanent for convictions and continues for non-conviction arrests unless an expungement order is received and processed.

FBI Database: The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal records of arrests reported by Illinois law enforcement. Federal retention is permanent. These records are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance, firearms purchases, and other federally regulated purposes.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

A conviction results in permanent retention across all databases. A dismissal or acquittal may remain in databases unless the subject obtains an expungement order. Expungement directs the destruction or sealing of local records and the updating of the state repository, but does not guarantee removal from all third-party databases. Records for which no charges were filed have the shortest standard retention period and may be eligible for immediate expungement.

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrests are accessible through the online jail roster and court case search portals. Arrests occurring more than several years prior may require an in-person request to the Sheriff's Records Division or Circuit Clerk and may involve retrieval from archived storage. Records predating the digitization of county systems may exist only in paper form and are subject to the applicable retention schedule. A retrieval fee may apply for archived records.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for a period of seven years, though convictions may be reported indefinitely for positions with salaries above a specified threshold. Illinois law restricts the use of arrest records without convictions in employment decisions. Expunged records are not required to be disclosed by the subject on most employment applications under Illinois law, with limited exceptions for positions in law enforcement, education, and certain licensed professions.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Fulton County Sheriff's Records Division at (309) 547-3381 or submit a written public records request to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A fee may apply for copies of responsive records.