Find Lee County Bench Warrants
Lee County bench warrants are issued by judges in the 15th Judicial Circuit when a person does not appear for a scheduled court date or breaks a court order. Lee County has about 33,500 residents and the county seat is Dixon. The Circuit Clerk maintains all bench warrant records as part of case files in Lee County. You can search for warrants through the clerk office, the Lee County Sheriff, or by making a public records request under the Freedom of Information Act. This guide explains the process for finding bench warrant records in Lee County.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Circuit Clerk Office
The Lee County Circuit Clerk maintains all court records for the 15th Judicial Circuit. This includes bench warrants, criminal cases, civil filings, traffic violations, and family court matters. Clerk Amy Johnson runs the office. You can look up bench warrant records by name or case number during regular business hours.
The clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. It is at 309 S. Galena, Suite 320 in Dixon. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can search for active bench warrants and pull up case information. The office gives public access to court records under Illinois law. You can also ask for copies of court documents. There may be a small fee for copies, but the first 50 pages of a FOIA request are free.
The Illinois Courts directory lists contact info for all circuit court clerks in the state, including Lee County.
The Illinois Courts website provides a statewide directory of circuit clerks where you can find Lee County's contact details and court resources.
| Clerk | Amy Johnson |
|---|---|
| Address | 309 S. Galena, Suite 320 Dixon, Illinois 61021 |
| Phone | 815/284-5234 |
| Fax | 815/288-5615 |
| Website | leecountyil.gov |
Search Lee County Bench Warrants
You have several options for searching bench warrants in Lee County. The most direct way is to visit the clerk office at the courthouse in Dixon. You can also contact the sheriff or use the state electronic filing system.
The eFile Illinois portal lets you look up case info online. Registration is required for full access. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can view case documents through this system. Not all records are available online. Some may be sealed or restricted.
For in-person requests, go to the courthouse in Dixon with a valid photo ID. Staff can look up bench warrants by name or case number. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), you can file a written request for bench warrant records. The office has five working days to respond.
Lee County Sheriff and Bench Warrants
The Lee County Sheriff's Office handles bench warrant records and serves warrants throughout the county. The Records Division takes care of warrant verification and related services. You can reach them at (815) 284-6633.
The sheriff office is at 420 S. 7th Street in Dixon. They work with the Circuit Court on all warrant matters. If you want to check on a bench warrant in Lee County, going in person with a valid photo ID is the best approach. The sheriff may not give out warrant details over the phone. People with active bench warrants should talk to a lawyer before turning themselves in.
Note: The Lee County Sheriff works with local police departments and the Illinois State Police to serve bench warrants across the county.
How Lee County Bench Warrants Work
A bench warrant in Lee County is issued when someone does not follow a court order. The most common reason is failure to appear. Under 725 ILCS 5/110-3, if a person does not show up in court on the date set, the judge may issue a warrant for their arrest.
Bench warrants do not expire. They stay in the system until the judge recalls them or law enforcement serves them. A bench warrant can show up during a traffic stop, when you try to get a new drivers license, or at any other contact with police. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 556, the court may continue the case for at least 30 days, issue a bench warrant, or have the person tried in their absence.
- Missing a court date is the top cause of bench warrants
- Unpaid fines can also result in a bench warrant
- Probation violations may lead to one
- Warrants stay active until recalled or served
- Police can arrest you on a warrant at any time
Lee County Warrant Records Access
Under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), conviction and criminal history information is open to public inspection. This includes bench warrant records tied to criminal cases in Lee County. You can request records through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification at (815) 740-5160 for statewide searches.
FOIA requests can be filed with the Lee County Circuit Clerk or the Sheriff's Office. The office must respond within five working days. If they need more time, they can take up to five additional days. The first 50 pages of any request are free.
Note: Juvenile cases and certain sealed records are exempt from public access in Lee County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lee County. Bench warrants are filed in the county where the case was opened. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the court date notice.