Randolph County Traffic Court Records
Randolph County traffic court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Chester, Illinois. The office sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit and handles all traffic cases filed in the county. You can search Randolph County traffic court records through the Judici online portal or visit the clerk in person. Cases marked "may appear" let you pay fines by mail, online, or at the counter without going to court. If you need copies of old filings or want to check the status of a ticket, the Circuit Clerk staff can help during normal business hours.
Randolph County Quick Facts
Randolph County Circuit Clerk Office
The Randolph County Circuit Clerk is in charge of all traffic court records in Randolph County. Julie A. Carnahan serves as Circuit Clerk. The office is at #1 Taylor Street, Room 302, Chester, IL 62233. You can call (618) 826-5000 with questions about your case or fines. Staff are on hand from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The clerk keeps all filings, collects fines, and manages the official court seal for the 20th Judicial Circuit. If you show up in person, bring your ticket or case number to speed things along.
The Illinois Courts directory page for Randolph County lists the courthouse contact details and judicial assignments. This is a good place to confirm the address and phone before making the trip to Chester.
The clerk also offers forms and publications that relate to traffic cases. You can find court supervision forms, appearance forms, and fee schedules on the Randolph County forms page. Having the right form ready before your court date saves time.
| Circuit Clerk | Julie A. Carnahan |
|---|---|
| Address | #1 Taylor Street, Room 302, Chester, IL 62233 |
| Phone | (618) 826-5000 |
| Fax | (618) 826-3761 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search Randolph County Traffic Records Online
The Judici case search portal is the main tool for looking up Randolph County traffic court records from home. You can search by name or by ticket number. The system shows case status, charges, court dates, and fine amounts. It is free to use and open to the public. No account is needed.
Keep in mind that Judici data may lag behind what the clerk has on file. Under 55 ILCS 5/4-2001, the Circuit Clerk must maintain all court records, but the online view is just a summary. If you need the official record, visit the clerk in person or request certified copies. The Randolph County Circuit Clerk verbatim states: "You do not have to appear in court if you choose to plead guilty and pay the fine in advance of the scheduled court appearance. You may do so by mail, in person at our office in the Randolph County Courthouse, or electronically."
You can also pay eligible traffic fines through the Judici portal. This option works for citations where no court appearance is required. The system walks you through the plea and payment steps. A credit card is needed for online payments.
Randolph County Traffic Ticket Options
When you get a traffic ticket in Randolph County, look at the bottom of the citation. If it says "May Appear," you do not have to go to court. You have a few paths to resolve your Randolph County traffic case:
- Plead guilty and pay the fine by mail, in person, or online
- Plead guilty, pay the fine, and ask for court supervision to keep a conviction off your record
- Plead not guilty and request a court hearing date
If your ticket is marked "Must Appear," you have to show up in court on the date listed. This applies to serious offenses like DUI, driving on a revoked license, and reckless driving. The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) sets which violations need a court appearance and which do not. Missing a required court date can lead to a warrant and added fines.
Court supervision is an option for many minor traffic cases in Randolph County. Under 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1, the judge can grant supervision, which means the offense does not go on your driving record if you meet the conditions. You must not have had supervision for another traffic offense in the past 12 months. The entry of appearance form is required as a stand-alone pleading, and all answer fees must be paid at the time of filing.
Note: Randolph County requires the entry of appearance to be filed as a separate document, so check the forms page before your court date.
Traffic Court Fees in Randolph County
Fines for Randolph County traffic cases vary based on the violation type. The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act (705 ILCS 135/) sets the fee structure across Illinois. Most minor traffic tickets in Randolph County cost between $120 and $250 once you add all court costs and assessments. Serious offenses cost more.
You can pay fines in person at the courthouse with cash, money orders, or certified checks. Online payments go through the Judici portal. Check with the clerk about accepted payment methods since some offices restrict personal checks. The Randolph County Clerk handles other county business but not traffic fines. Those go through the Circuit Clerk on the third floor.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Randolph County. If your traffic stop happened close to a county line, make sure you check the right county for your case. The ticket itself shows which county issued it.