How to Search Madison County Court Records
The Madison County Circuit Clerk hosts the official online case search. Court case information can be viewed online and searched by participant name or case number. The county's Court Records Search page warns that the search screen can be slow during heavy use. The actual case search loads at clericusmagnus.com on port 8443, which is the county's official records host.
The Illinois Courts directory lists the Madison County Courthouse at 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. The state directory is the place to check ADA, parking, e-filing, and law-library details before a visit.
This image links to the Circuit Clerk's records search page where the county explains the case search and provides the help phone for outages.
The county lists a help phone, (800) 250-9884, for problems with the case search host. The Circuit Clerk's FAQ identifies that number as JANO support for the underlying system.
- Open the Madison County Circuit Clerk site and choose Court Records Search.
- Click through to the official search at clericusmagnus.com:8443 and wait for the page to load if traffic is heavy.
- Enter a participant name or a Madison County case number in the format YYYY-CaseType-######, such as 2019-CM-001234 or 2022-TR-######.
- Click the case to open the Case Overview screen, which shows the Next/Last Court Date.
- If you need a stamped or sealed copy, submit a Circuit Clerk copy request by web form, email to courtcopy@madisoncountyil.gov, fax to 618-692-0676, or in person at the lower level of the courthouse, Suite 11.
Note: Online court schedules update on Tuesdays and Fridays, and asbestos dockets update only on Tuesdays.
The Madison County Judicial System
Illinois uses a unified three-tier court system. The Circuit Court is the trial court of original jurisdiction. The Illinois Appellate Court reviews most appeals through five districts. The Supreme Court of Illinois sits at the top and takes discretionary review.
Madison County is in the Third Judicial Circuit with Bond County. Each county runs its own Circuit Court for daily filings and hearings, while the Chief Judge of the circuit oversees both. Madison County has eight Circuit Judges and thirteen Associate Circuit Judges. The Chief Judge is Christopher Threlkeld; named judges include Amy Maher, Kyle Napp, Dennis Ruth, Amy Sholar, Sarah Smith, Tim Berkley, and Patrick King.
Appeals from Madison County go to the Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District, with court sittings in Mount Vernon. There are no separate "district courts" in Illinois state practice. There are no justice-of-the-peace courts either, so all county trial work runs through the Circuit Court.
Case flow: Circuit Court › Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District › Supreme Court of Illinois
The image links to the Illinois Courts overview of how cases proceed through Illinois courts, including arrest, charging, pretrial, trial, sentencing, and appeal stages.
This walkthrough is helpful for self-represented filers because it shows where motions, hearings, and appeals fit in the timeline before reaching the Fifth District.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Case Types |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County Circuit Court (Third Judicial Circuit) | Trial; original jurisdiction | Felony, misdemeanor, civil, family, juvenile, probate, traffic, small claims, eviction |
| Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District | Intermediate appeals | Most civil and criminal appeals from Madison County |
| Supreme Court of Illinois | Discretionary review; rulemaking | Selected appeals, capital and constitutional cases |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois | Federal cases involving the county | Federal crimes, civil rights, federal-question civil, bankruptcy via the U.S. Bankruptcy Court |
Madison County Courthouses and Offices
Madison County packs most court work into a tight downtown Edwardsville campus. The main Madison County Courthouse holds the Circuit Court, the Circuit Clerk public counters, the law library, the self-help center, and the public-access computers. The Criminal Justice Center on Ramey Street holds criminal-justice and specialty-court contacts. The Madison County Administration Building is right next to the courthouse and houses the State's Attorney, Public Defender, County Clerk, and Recorder.
The Alton Satellite Office is open only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is useful for people on the Alton end of the county.
Madison County Courthouse
155 N. Main Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 296-4470
Types of Madison County Court Records
The Circuit Clerk maintains the bulk of Madison County court records. Most files are public unless restricted by Illinois statute or impounded by court order. Vital records like birth, marriage, and death certificates are kept by the County Clerk, not the Circuit Clerk. Land records are kept by the Recorder. The Sheriff handles jail records and inmate information.
- Civil records – lawsuits, judgments, liens, eviction, foreclosure, and small claims filings.
- Criminal records – felony, misdemeanor, DUI, retail theft, weapons, drug, and traffic-criminal cases.
- Family and divorce records – dissolution, parenting, child support, orders of protection, and name changes.
- Probate records – decedent estates, small estate affidavits, and guardianships for minors and disabled adults.
- Traffic records – citations, fines, no-court tickets, and court-required appearances.
- Jail records – charge and bond information through the inmate information phone line.
Juvenile records, adoption records, and mental health court files are generally confidential. Access depends on statute, party status, and court order. Sealed and expunged records may still appear to certain government agencies even when removed from the public index.
What Madison County Court Records Show
The Circuit Clerk's case overview gives users a structured snapshot of each case. The image below links to the Madison County Circuit Clerk's home page, where the county describes the search and lists the office's other services.
The landing page links to copy requests, court schedules, eFileIL, probate forms, traffic, divorce, and passport services. After a case search, the Case Overview screen lists the case identifiers and the Next/Last Court Date.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Case Number | Year, case-type code, and a six-digit sequence in the format YYYY-CaseType-######. |
| Parties | Plaintiff or State on one side, defendant or respondent on the other. |
| Case Type Code | Letter codes such as TR for traffic, CM for misdemeanor, DT for DUI, DV for domestic, and CF for felony. |
| Charge or Cause | The criminal charge or the cause of action in a civil case. |
| Next/Last Court Date | The most recent court event and the next scheduled court date. |
| Docket Entries | Filed motions, orders, continuances, and dispositions in chronological order. |
| Disposition | Result of a charge or claim, such as dismissed, guilty, not guilty, or judgment. |
Public Access Laws for Madison County Court Records
Madison County follows Illinois' broad open-records framework. The Circuit Clerk says most court files are public unless restricted by state statute or impounded by court order. Agency records held by county offices fall under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Court files are also governed by Supreme Court Rules and case law on personal identity, juveniles, and sealed matters.
This image links to the Illinois General Assembly's FOIA statute table, which is the source document for state public-access law.
The FOIA chapter sets the framework for inspection, copying, fees, and exemption review by the Public Access Counselor.
Key Statutes:
5 ILCS 140 – the Illinois Freedom of Information Act says all persons are entitled to information about government affairs, subject to listed exemptions.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 – filers must redact Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, and minor birth dates from court filings.
705 ILCS 105/27.1a – the Clerk of Courts Act sets the statutory framework for court copy, certification, and postage fees the Circuit Clerk charges.
20 ILCS 2630/5.2 – the adult criminal-record expungement and sealing statute that controls who can clear arrests and convictions in Madison County.
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
Some Madison County court records are not open to the public. The Juvenile Court Act keeps most juvenile delinquency, abuse, and neglect files confidential. Adoption files are sealed under 750 ILCS 50. Mental health treatment records and grand jury proceedings are also restricted. Personal identifiers in court filings are redacted under Supreme Court Rule 138.
Sealing and expungement are different remedies in Illinois. Expungement removes or destroys eligible records, while sealing keeps them on file but limits public access. The Circuit Clerk links to Illinois Courts expungement and sealing forms for the statewide petitions. A petitioner files in the circuit court where the arrest happened, serves notice on the State's Attorney and arresting agency, and waits for any objection before a hearing.
Specialty Courts in Madison County
Madison County runs three problem-solving courts out of the State's Attorney's office and the Criminal Justice Center. Each one diverts qualifying defendants into supervised treatment instead of standard prosecution.
The Madison County Assessment and Treatment Alternative Court (MC-ATAC) is the drug court. Track I handles first-time felony offenders charged with Class 3 or 4 drug possession, theft, deceptive practices, or property damage. Track II is for people with prior history who would otherwise be probation eligible.
The Mental Health Court diverts non-violent defendants with chronic mental illness into supervised community treatment. Eligibility runs through providers Chestnut Health Systems and Centerstone, plus a statutory check under 730 ILCS 168/20. The contact is Criminal Justice Center, 509 Ramey Street, Suite 304, Edwardsville, (618) 692-8961.
The Veterans' Treatment Court partners with the VA, the Public Defender, and the Probation Department to support veterans with PTSD or service-related substance abuse. The Veterans' Assistance Commission at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 115, is the local resource for benefits help and referrals.
Madison County Sheriff and Jail Information
Sheriff Jeff C. Connor is the elected sheriff. The sheriff's main office is at 405 Randle Street, Edwardsville, (618) 692-6087. The jail inmate information line is 618-692-1064. The Jail Administrator is Captain Jerry Endicott, and the Jail Superintendent is Captain Blake C. Sellers.
The county does not publish a searchable web roster on its Jail Division page. Instead, the automated phone line gives charge and bond information for current detainees.
The image links to the Sheriff's Jail Division page, which lists the inmate information phone and links out to jail FAQ, visitation, mail, phones, and property rules.
For full roster details and booking rules see the Madison County inmate records page; for outstanding warrants and bench warrants see warrant records; and for release verification see released inmates.
Marriage, Divorce, and Probate Records
Marriage licensing in Madison County runs through the County Clerk under Linda A. Andreas. Couples fill out the online application linked from the county, then both appear at the County Clerk's office at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 109, Edwardsville. The license fee is $35 cash, the license is void 60 days after issue, and it must be used in Madison County. Friday afternoon judge ceremonies are available with a $10 fee paid in Circuit Clerk Room 118. For more, see marriage and divorce records.
Divorce records are court records kept by the Circuit Clerk, not the County Clerk. Search by name or case number through the Court Records Search, then request copies through the Circuit Clerk's copy process. Probate runs in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's probate page links to local guardian forms, the small estate affidavit, and the estate claim form. For details, see probate records.
- Testator
- A person who made a valid will.
- Executor
- The person named in a will to manage the estate.
- Conservator
- A guardian appointed to manage the affairs of a disabled adult.
- Small Estate Affidavit
- An Illinois form used to collect a small estate without full probate.
Madison County Court Records Fees
The Madison County Circuit Clerk charges set per-page and per-certification fees under 705 ILCS 105/27.1a. The office quotes the cost back to the requester before completing the copy work. Payment must be made in advance.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court document, page 1 | $2.00 |
| Court document, pages 2–20 | $0.50 per page |
| Court document, page 21 and above | $0.25 per page |
| Certification seal | $6.00 per certification |
| Docket sheet | $6.00 per page |
| Criminal history | $6.00 |
| Record search per year searched | $6.00 per year |
Payments can run through CourtMoney online, by phone at 1-877-222-4668 with Form ID 138506, by mailed check to the Madison County Circuit Clerk, or in person at the courthouse Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How to Interpret Madison County Court Records
The case-type code is the fastest tell on a Madison County record. TR is traffic, CM is misdemeanor, CF is felony, DT is DUI, DV is domestic violence, MT is mental treatment, OV is order of protection, CV is civil, CL is civil law, and QC is small claims. The Circuit Clerk FAQ lists these among case types that may use the electronic continuance process.
Charges and convictions are not the same. A charge means the State's Attorney filed an accusation. A conviction means a plea or finding of guilt was entered. Many records that are charges only can be eligible for sealing or expungement under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.
The disposition line is where to look for the result. Dismissed with prejudice means the case cannot be refiled in most situations. Dismissed without prejudice means it can be refiled. Sentences and fees may show up as separate docket entries.
Federal Courts and the State's Attorney
Madison County sits in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The district has court locations in East St. Louis and Benton. Federal bankruptcy filings go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Federal appeals go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Use PACER for federal case searches.
The State's Attorney is Thomas A. Haine. The office is at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 402, Edwardsville, with phone 618-692-6280, fax 618-296-7001, and email SAinfo@madisoncountyil.gov. The site below links to the State's Attorney's home page and divisions.
The divisions include General Criminal, Violent Crimes Unit, Traffic and Misdemeanor, Children's Justice, Civil, Forfeiture, Investigations, and Victim Advocacy. The Public Defender's office at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 397, (618) 692-7474, represents people who face possible incarceration and cannot afford counsel. The image below links to the Public Defender page.
Director Mary Copeland leads the office. Telephone consultations are encouraged, and in-person visits with attorneys, investigator, and client advocate are by appointment only.
Accuracy and Record Limitations
The Circuit Clerk's case search reflects the data on file as of the last update by court staff. Some entries take a day or two to post. Sealed and expunged records may not appear in the public index. Restricted juvenile and mental health files do not show on a public search.
Note: Verify any record detail with the Madison County Circuit Clerk before relying on it for legal, financial, or housing decisions, because online entries can lag.
History of Madison County Courts
Madison County's court roots run deep. The Recorder's land records begin in 1812. Marriage records date back to 1813. Death records began in 1878. Births were recorded beginning in the late 1800s. Illinois required counties to keep vital records starting in 1916. Older justice-of-the-peace, city, and probate courts were folded into the modern Circuit Court well before the 1970 Illinois Constitution.
The image below links to the Madison County Recorder home page, where the county describes the 200-plus-year sweep of its land record archive.
Modern court technology milestones include mandatory civil e-filing under Illinois Supreme Court order M.R. 18368, effective January 1, 2018. Madison County also requires family cases to be e-filed. Court schedules update online on Tuesdays and Fridays, and case docket subscriptions and text reminders are available through the Circuit Clerk.
Self-Help and Legal Aid Resources
The Madison County Legal Self Help Center sits inside the courthouse Law Library at 155 N. Main Street. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff contacts are Deana Lackey, Stephanie Flaugher, and Rachel Roach at (618) 296-4472 or (618) 296-5930. Staff can show users public-access computers, locate forms, and explain how the court works, but they cannot give legal advice or prepare documents.
For statewide self-help, the Circuit Clerk links to Illinois Legal Aid Online from its menu. The Court Disability Coordinator is Ryan Anderson at (618) 296-4884 and rmanderson@madisonCountyil.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my next court date in Madison County?
Use the Circuit Clerk's Court Records Search and look up the case by name or case number. Click the case and the Case Overview screen will show the Next/Last Court Date. The Circuit Clerk also offers text and email reminders for upcoming court dates.
What does a Madison County case number look like?
Case numbers follow the format YYYY-CaseType-######. Examples in the Circuit Clerk's documents include 2022-TR-###### for a traffic case and 2019-CM-001234 for a misdemeanor. If you do not know the case number, you can search by name or use the public-access computers in the Records Division at the courthouse.
Can I request court copies over the phone?
No. The Circuit Clerk does not take copy requests by phone. Use the online copy request form, email courtcopy@madisoncountyil.gov, mail or email the fillable form, visit the courthouse's lower-level Document Storage office, or fax to 618-692-0676 or 618-655-2017. In-person courthouse viewing is often the fastest path to a same-day copy.
Where do I go for a marriage license?
Both parties must appear at the County Clerk's office at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 109, Edwardsville. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The fee is $35 cash, the license becomes void 60 days after issue, and it must be used in Madison County.
More on the Madison County Court Records FAQ page.