Find Lawrence County Court Records
Lawrence County court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Lawrenceville and cover civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This guide explains how to access Lawrence County court records through online search tools and in-person requests at the courthouse, along with available legal resources for county residents.
Lawrence County Quick Facts
Lawrence County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Cheryl Winkles maintains the official court record system for Lawrence County at 1100 State Street in Lawrenceville. The clerk's office handles all case filings, indexes them in the court record system, and manages public access to those files. Case types include civil suits, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters, traffic violations, small claims, and probate proceedings. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most court records are open to any member of the public.
The main phone number is (618) 943-2815. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Lawrence County is served by the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which covers several counties in southeastern Illinois. If you need a record, you can call or visit the Lawrenceville office. Staff can help you find a case and explain the copy request process.
| Circuit Clerk | Cheryl Winkles |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 State Street, Lawrenceville, IL 62439 |
| Phone | (618) 943-2815 |
| Fax | (618) 943-5205 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Case Search for Lawrence County
Lawrence County records are available through Judici at judici.com. Judici is a public case database used by many Illinois circuit courts. It lets you search by party name or case number and view docket entries showing the history of a case. Docket entries are summaries of what was filed, not the full case documents. You can use them to confirm whether a case exists and see key dates and orders.
Judici searches are free. The results are unofficial but reliable for reference purposes. If you need certified documents, contact the clerk's office. Judici is the main online access point for Lawrence County cases, since the county does not currently maintain its own online case portal.
The re:SearchIL statewide portal at researchil.tylerhost.net covers cases filed from April 1, 2025 forward, and access has been free since May 2025. For older Lawrence County records, use Judici or go directly to the clerk's office in Lawrenceville.
Court Forms for Lawrence County Cases
The Illinois Courts forms library, shown below, includes forms used in Lawrence County proceedings.
Download civil, criminal, and family court forms at no cost from the state courts website.
Using the correct form matters. The clerk's office in Lawrenceville accepts state-standard forms for all common case types. If you file with a non-standard form, the clerk may return it. Check the forms library before you file to make sure you have the right document for your case type. The library is organized by case type and updated when forms change.
E-filing for civil cases in Lawrence County is available through efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Check the system for which case types are accepted in the 2nd Judicial Circuit before you attempt to file electronically. Some types may still require paper submission at the Lawrenceville courthouse.
Types of Records Filed in Lawrence County
Lawrence County court records cover civil cases filed in Lawrenceville and surrounding communities in the county. Civil matters include contract disputes, small claims, and eviction proceedings. Criminal cases are filed by the Lawrence County State's Attorney and include both felony and misdemeanor charges. Family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and support orders, are also handled through the Circuit Clerk's office.
Traffic cases from Lawrenceville and other parts of Lawrence County are indexed in the same system. Probate cases covering estates, wills, and guardianship proceedings are filed at the courthouse as well. Orders of protection are part of the public record. Juvenile cases and mental health filings are sealed under Illinois law and are not available through standard public access requests.
If you are not sure whether the record you want is sealed or public, call the clerk's office at (618) 943-2815 before making the trip. Staff can confirm what is accessible and help you set up the right kind of request.
Requesting Copies at the Lawrenceville Courthouse
In-person copy requests are handled at 1100 State Street during regular business hours. Bring the case number if you have one. If you do not, bring the full name of a party to the case and the approximate year it was filed. Staff will search the index and pull up the record.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written letter with the case number or party names, a description of what you need, your mailing address, and a check or money order for the applicable copy fee payable to the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want return mail. Processing times for mail requests can run a week or more depending on volume.
Certified copies are available for documents that need the court's official seal. Plain copies cost less. Most requests for personal reference can be filled with plain copies. Ask the clerk which type you need for your specific purpose before paying.
Illinois Law and Record Access
Public access to Lawrence County court records is governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). This law gives any person the right to inspect and copy records held by the circuit clerk. You do not need to be a party to the case or provide a reason. Exceptions exist for sealed records, juvenile files, adoption matters, and certain mental health proceedings. The Illinois FOIA statute at 5 ILCS 140/ covers administrative records of the clerk's office. The Illinois Records Preservation Act at 5 ILCS 160/ covers how older court files must be stored and kept.
Free Legal Help for Lawrence County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides on civil, family, and criminal legal topics. The site covers procedures used in 2nd Circuit counties and includes a document builder for common filings. If you are handling a court matter without a lawyer, it is a good place to start before you go to the courthouse.
The Illinois Court Help line at (833) 411-1121 is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff at ilcourthelp.gov can explain court procedures but do not give legal advice. For Lawrence County residents who need a lawyer, the clerk's office may have a list of local legal aid contacts or bar association referrals available.
Cities in Lawrence County
Lawrence County includes Lawrenceville, Bridgeport, and other smaller communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Court records for all Lawrence County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk at 1100 State Street in Lawrenceville.