Created in 1833, Champaign County is located in the east-central area of the State of Illinois. It has the tenth-largest population in the state, with over 200,000 residents. The City of Urbana serves as the county seat.

Courts in Champaign County

The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois serves Champaign Coury. The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in the county. It handles the hearings, trials, and proceedings of criminal and non-criminal cases filed in the county. The court handles cases involving felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, probate matters, juvenile issues, and family law proceedings. Small claims cases in which the monetary compensation does not exceed $10,000 are also brought before the Circuit Court.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Champaign County

The Champaign County Circuit Clerk serves as the custodian of public court records. The Clerk's Office also assists the public in inspecting or copying open court records. Anyone can visit the Clerk's Office to access or obtain copies of public court records. It is also possible to access court case information in Champaign County online.

Types of Public Court Records in Champaign County

The following types of public court records in Champaign County are available to anyone:

• Criminal Court Records - Including public case files, dockets, decisions, and other court information in felony and misdemeanor proceedings
• Civil Court Records - Details of civil actions and lawsuits involving any amount, such as replevin, breach of contract, or personal injury cases
• Probate Court Records - Case files and court information of probate matters that involve decedents’ estates, wills, and trusts
• Small Claims Court Records - Including court records generated from civil lawsuits involving claims that do not exceed $10,000
• Traffic Court Records - Non-confidential documents and information on cases involving traffic violations in the county

Confidential Court Records in Champaign County

Although most court records are publicly accessible in Champaign, some may be sealed under court orders or to comply with Illinois laws. Such court records are confidential because they contain sensitive information or to protect the privacy of involved persons. While open court information is disclosed to anyone, confidential court records in Champaign Court are only available to the court, the parties involved, and the clerk. In addition, certain information may be redacted in court documents accessible to members of the public.

The following court records are confidential in the State of Illinois:

• Adoption records
• Personal identity information in civil court records
• Juvenile records
• Mental health records
• Sealed or expunged court records
• Records contained the mediation process in domestic relations cases

Juvenile Delinquency in Champaign, IL

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Champaign County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Illinois often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 264 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Champaign County. Of that total, 80% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 210 court cases. Another 17% were dependency cases that accounted for 45 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Champaign County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Champaign County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Champaign County, IL

https://www2.illinois.gov/

County Seat:	Urbana
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1833
Total Square Miles:	998
2019 Population:	209,399
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	1776 E Washington St Administrative Center Urbana , IL 61802-4578 http://www.co.champaign.il.us/

Champaign County, IL Courts