Created in 1825, Henry County, Illinois, is home to rolling farmlands, wooded areas, and water bodies. Its land area is 823.06 square miles, and as of the 2020 U.S. Census, over 49,000 people lived there. The county’s seat is Cambridge City.
Courts in Henry County
Henry County is served by the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court, which has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in the county. The jurisdiction of the court extends to all probate, traffic, juvenile, and domestic relations cases, as well as small claims actions of up to $10,000. In addition to these powers, the Circuit Court also has the authority to review administrative orders from some state agencies in Henry County. However, despite the broad jurisdiction of the court, it cannot exercise jurisdiction over certain matters involving the Illinois General Assembly and state government. The Circuit Court also hears cases relating to revenue, mandamus, prohibition, and habeas corpus.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Henry County
The Office of the Circuit Clerk is responsible for keeping records of all matters tried within the Henry County court system. Interested residents can access public court records online by visiting the Henry County records search portal or the Judici portal. Anyone interested in searching for traffic and criminal records may email the Criminal Division. For all civil records, email the Civil Division. Researchers can also send requests via fax to 309-937-3990.
Types of Public Court Records in Henry County
Court cases generate several documents and materials which detail the court’s proceedings. A number of such records are openly accessible in Henry County. They include:
- Civil Court records, including cases for negligence, breach of contract, and personal injury.
- Criminal Court Records, including proceedings on misdemeanors and felonies.
- Domestic Relations records, including cases on divorce and child custody.
- Probate Records, including claims against estates and guardianships.
- Traffic Records, including tickets and cases involving DUIs, illegal parking, suspended licenses, and moving violations.
Confidential Court Records in Henry County
In Henry County, confidential court records are records that are protected from public view either by legislation or a court order. Some examples of these kinds of records include:
- Records involving minors
- Domestic violence records
- Drug and alcohol treatment records
- Adoption records
- Records relating to mental health patients
- Records of victims of sex offenses.
Juvenile Delinquency in Henry, IL
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Henry 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 34 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Henry County. Of that total, 35% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 12 court cases. Another 65% were dependency cases that accounted for 22 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Henry County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Henry County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 922 |
| Dependency | 528 |
| Status | 108 |
Government of Henry County, IL
| County Seat: | Cambridge |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Dillon's Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1825 |
| Total Square Miles: | 826 |
| 2019 Population: | 49,328 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.02 |
| County Contact: | 307 W Center St
County Courthouse Cambridge , IL 61238-1240 http://www.henrycty.com/ |