McHenry County, Illinois, was formed in 1836 and derived its name from Major Williams McHenry, an Illinois House of Representatives and Senate member. It has a land area of 603.4 square miles and a population of 310,229 people. Its county seat is Woodstock.
Courts in McHenry County
McHenry County is located within the 22nd Judicial Circuit. It is home to the Circuit Court which comprises the civil and criminal divisions. The civil division of the Circuit Court handles probate matters such as administration of decedent’s estates and supervision of a minor's personal and financial affairs. It also covers civil cases such as small claims, child abuse, domestic violence, divorce, evictions, and guardianship proceedings.
The criminal division of the Circuit Court handles misdemeanors, criminal cases, traffic violations, and felonies. It also hears code violation offenses and cases involving monetary damages.
Where to Find Public Court Records in McHenry County
The McHenry County Clerk of Courts maintains all public court records from the county. Court records consist of court filings, court orders, writs, transcripts, legal proceedings, and rulings of the county's courts. They are accessible via the public access portal. In addition, a request for copies of these records can be mailed. Public members can also visit courthouses to inspect and request physical copies of public court records.
Types of Public Court Records in McHenry County
The right of the public to access certain court records ensures their confidence in the judicial system. The following types of court records are available to the public in McHenry County unless sealed by court orders:
- Criminal Court Records: These include court proceedings for misdemeanors and felonies
- Family Court Records: These include divorce decrees, custody, and adoption cases
- Civil Court Records: These include breaches of contract, professional malpractices, product liability, and personal injury
- Probate Court Records: These include estate assets and liabilities, documentation of wills, trusts, and guardianships
Confidential Court Records in McHenry County
Certain court records are sealed due to privacy concerns or the sensitive nature of the information. Such records are usually excluded from public disclosure and can only be seen by authorized persons or court orders. The following are examples of confidential court records in McHenry County:
- Medical and mental health records
- Adoption records
- Most juvenile delinquency records
- Certain information about victims of sexual or domestic violence
- Social Security number
- Bank account details
Juvenile Delinquency in Mchenry, IL
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Mchenry County, juvenile delinquency offenses are on the rise. There are many reasons for the inflation in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Illinois often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of charges, and other family matters.
In 2017, a total of 321 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Mchenry County. Of that total, 72% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 230 court cases. Another 24% were dependency cases that accounted for 77 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Mchenry County, are focusing on family counseling and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Mchenry County juvenile delinquency tallies will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 6,001 |
| Dependency | 1,473 |
| Status | 176 |
Government of McHenry County, IL
| County Seat: | Woodstock |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Dillon's Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1836 |
| Total Square Miles: | 611 |
| 2019 Population: | 309,122 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.00 |
| County Contact: | 2200 N Seminary Ave
County Government Center Woodstock , IL 60098-2637 https://www.co.mchenry.il.us/ |
Mchenry County, IL Courts
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McHenry County Circuit Court
Address: 2200 North Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: 815-334-4310