Illinois Arrest Records
One of the documents that have been opened for public access in Illinois is arrest records. The arrest records Illinois generates can be requested anytime that it is needed by the residents. However, the document is only made public once the case is closed.
Arrest records have information that is used in some legal matters. This information includes the personal details of the arrested individual such as the complete name and birth details. One would also know whether the person has any significant body markings like tattoo, scars or birthmarks. The document would also show the crimes and violations that were committed by the person along with the charges that were filed against him/her. If the person was convicted the sentence that was given is also indicated on the record.
Studies have showed that the crimes that are being committed now are mostly done by people who had previous criminal history. This is the reason why business owners would look into the arrest records of their people. Employers are the top people that access this type of document. They use it as reference when checking on the background of their people. This helps them identify who has any criminal inclinations and probably get rid of them or have their eyes on them regularly. By doing so, the company can prevent damages and issues. Local residents also look into the criminal history of the people they interact with on a regular basis to make sure that they are in a peaceful environment. Authorities refer to the arrest records of an individual when they are conducting an investigation.
Making the arrest files open to the public can help business owners in the long run but it may pose a big problem for people who had records. Most of the people who had records have experienced negative effects in having such history. They often feel discriminated or treated unequally. A good example of this is during job application. Employers tend to put these people in the last priority for interview since they prefer those who have no criminal history at all. Some have reported to have been treated different than the rest of the people working in the company. Expunging the record is the solution to this problem but it is costly.
Although arrest records are considered as public documents, in Illinois only the person himself can request it. Access to the records is only possible for employment reasons and for investigation purposes. Other personal reasons to access the files would require and consent from the person himself. The search can be done with a fingerprint search but if this is not possible, a name search is available. However, all required information such as the name, birth details and even the crimes that have been committed has to be indicated on the request form to make the search easier. Requests can be made at the state’s Department of Justice. The fee can range from $16 for cash payments to $30 for check payments. Mail request is also possible but all requirements have to be included.
The Internet has changed the way information is being shared and delivered. This is most evident with the criminal records that are now available for request online. With this, one can greatly save time and energy since the search is opened for 24/7 and it can be done even at the comforts of your own home.
Filed under: Business