Jackson County Circuit Clerk - IL

08/07/2026

HOW TO REQUEST COPIES OF RECORDS:
Need a copy of a court record? 👨‍⚖️📄The easiest way to start is by emailing your request to [email protected]

This helps us track and process requests efficiently. You can also request records in person at the Jackson County Circuit Clerk's Office, located in the Jackson County Courthouse at 1001 Walnut Street, Murphysboro.

Fee Schedule:

Photocopies:
1st Page: $2.00
Pages 2-20: $0.50 each
Pages 21+: $0.25 each

Certified copy (+cost of pages copied):
$6.00

Authenticated copy (+cost of pages copied):
$6.00

Certified copy of a Judgment (after 1st free copy):
$10.00

Automated/hard copy (when photocopy isn't an option):
$6.00 per page

Record search (per year searched, +photocopy costs):
$6.00

Some records may be restricted from public access under Illinois law. Questions about your specific request and accepted payment methods? Call us at (618) 687-7300.

08/04/2026

MULTIPLE DOCKETS. ONE GREAT TEAM.

In 2025, the Jackson County Circuit Clerk's Office received and processed 8,058 new cases, all of which consisted of 30 different case types within the 34 recognized case categories in the State of Illinois' circuit court record-keeping system.

The sworn Deputy Circuit Clerks of the Jackson County Circuit Clerk’s Office serve the public first and foremost. Every day, they receive filings, maintain the court’s official records, prepare and manage dockets, assist judges, work with and advise other court personnel, process fines and fees, answer questions, and carry out the many other duties necessary to keep the circuit court functioning.

In carrying out my responsibilities as Jackson County’s elected Article VI state judicial-branch officer, I have the privilege of working alongside this dedicated staff and seeing firsthand the patience, accuracy, professionalism, courtesy, and respect they bring to their work.

Their contributions are essential to the operation of the court, and it is important that they receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication.

07/31/2026

LAWYER IN THE LIBRARY
Carbondale Public Library // August Dates Available

For more information about the program, or to pre-register to speak to an attorney, you may call 618-457-0354.

Each month at participating local public libraries in the First Judicial Circuit, volunteer attorney work to help self-represented litigants through the Lawyer in the Library program. With several locations across the southern Illinois region, free legal advice is available nearby.

The Lawyer in the Library program provides patrons needing help with a legal issue the opportunity for a private one-on-one session with an attorney for up to 20 minutes to receive advice or help with legal documents.

There is no fee. PRE-REGISTATION IS REQUIRED at most locations. On the date of your registered session, check in at the library registration desk and bring any paperwork pertaining to your legal question or situation. This program may be limited to one visit per patron.

Carbondale, IL – Carbondale Public Library, 618-457-0354
o Attorney Julian Valdes – Wednesday, August 5, 3 pm – 5 pm
o Attorney Gene Turk – Wednesday, August 19, 5 pm – 7 pm
https://carbondalepubliclibrary.org/series/lil/

Other participating areas include:
Anna, IL – Stinson Memorial Public Library, 618-833-2521
o Attorney Gene Turk – Wednesday, August 19, 12 pm-2 pm

Cairo, IL – Cairo Public Library, 618-734-1840
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

Carterville, IL – Anne West Lindsey District Library, 618-985-3298
o Attorney Winter Campanella – Monday, August 24, 5 pm-7pm

Eldorado, IL – Eldorado Memorial Library, 618-273-4402
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

Galatia, IL – Galatia Public Library, 618-268-9200
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

o Golconda, IL – Golconda Public Library, 618-683-6531
The next session will be scheduled soon.

Harrisburg, IL – Harrisburg District Library, 618-253-7455
o Attorney Nina Brown – The next session will be scheduled soon.

Herrin, IL – Herrin City Library, 618-942-6109
o Attorney Antonio Madrigal – Thursday, August 20, 2 pm-4pm

Marion, IL – Marion Carnegie Library, 618-993-5935
o Sessions will resume in September

Metropolis, IL – Metropolis Public Library, 618-524-4312
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

Mounds, IL – Mounds Public Library, 618-745-6610
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

Olive Branch, IL – Dodge Memorial Public Library, 618-776-9200
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

Vienna, IL – Vienna Carnegie Public Library, 618-658-5051
o The next session will be scheduled soon.

NOTE: Each Lawyer in the Library program is initially launched with an Access to Justice Improvement Grant (ATJ Grant) funding through the Access to Justice Division, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. The programs continue with each Volunteer Attorney coordinating with the Library and Brenda Sprague, Excecutive Assistsant to the Chief Circuit Judge/ATJ Improvement Grant Coordinator.
https://firstcircuitil.org/self-represented-litigants/

Lawyer in the Library Lawyer in the Library offers free 20-minute meetings with a volunteer lawyers to assist you with legal coaching, document review, referrals to additional community services, e-filing court documents, and legal questions. CPL’s LIL program now has two monthly sessions: First W...

07/31/2026

Jackson County State's Attorney's Office (IL)
Official Social Media & Info

Official page of the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Committed to justice, public safety, and serving Jackson County.
Murphysboro, IL | 618-687-7200

07/29/2026

Part of running an office well is spending public funds only when spending them serves the public.

The current administration of the Office of the Circuit Clerk in Jackson County began on Monday, December 2, 2024, just after the county closed the FY2023 audit. Circuit Clerk Christian Hale began immediately on the FY2024 Circuit Clerk's supplemental audit, due in the summer of 2025, which served a dual purpose: meeting the annual audit obligation and a transitional audit at the same time.

Rather than commissioning a repetitive audit, the office folded the transitional review into the FY2024 audit, eliminating a redundant process while still meeting criteria for both. This prevented an expense estimated about $20,000 or more.

It also aided the office in beginning the subsequent FY2025 audit sooner and completing the annual supplemental audit reporting to Jackson County and the Illinois Supreme Court even earlier than in the Clerk's first year, a continual goal set for future years.

Decisions like this are the Circuit Clerk's responsibility as a state constitutional officer of the Illinois Judicial Branch under Article VI of the Illinois Constitution and serves the public by holding the office accountable for proper resource management, confirmed by thorough annual audits.

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07/23/2026

AVAILABLE LEGAL SERVICES // A very common call to our office is someone with a legal question we are not permitted to answer. By law, Circuit Clerk staff cannot give legal advice of any kind.

What we can do is point you toward people who can, and there are more free and low cost options in our area than most people realize. Use the link below or continue reading descriptors of services below.

The Carbondale Public Library maintains a full list with direct links to each of these here: https://carbondalepubliclibrary.org/research/legal-services/

Lawyer in the Library: Free, no obligation, 20-minute sessions with a volunteer attorney, hosted locally at the Carbondale Public Library.

Illinois Free Legal Answers: Ask an attorney a civil legal question online at no cost if you qualify.

Illinois Legal Aid Online: free legal forms and plain language information.

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid: civil legal services for low income and senior residents of Illinois.

SIU School of Law Clinics: assistance for senior citizens, veterans, juvenile justice matters, and domestic violence survivors.

Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network: free legal aid for Illinois service members and veterans.

New Leaf Illinois: free help for those seeking to expunge cannabis convictions.

Ayuda Legal Services: free legal information for lower income, Spanish speaking residents of Illinois.

Dispute Resolution Institute: mediation services.

The Carbondale Public Library maintains a full list with direct links to each of these here: https://carbondalepubliclibrary.org/research/legal-services/

Questions about court records, fees and fines, or filing? Those we can help with. Call us at (618) 687-7300.

Please share this so it may reach someone who needs it.

07/20/2026

Frequently Asked Questions
https://firstcircuitil.org/circuit-courts/frequently-asked-questions/
Planning a trip to the courthouse, or just have a question about your case? Here are the things people ask our office most often.

WHEN IS MY COURT DATE?
Give the Circuit Clerk's Office a call, or look it up anytime at www.judici.com by choosing your county and searching your name or case number.

WHERE DO I PAY COURT COSTS?
Fines are paid at the Circuit Clerk's Office in the county where your case is filed. In many cases you can also pay online at www.judici.com if a Pay Now option shows on your case. Just log into https://jacksoncoilcircuitclerk.gov/ and scroll down to the bottom right of that page to find links.

WHAT ARE OFFICE HOURS?
Jackson County Circuit Clerk's Office is open Monday - Friday, 8 am until 4 pm.

HOW DO I GET COPIES OF COURT RECORDS?
Records that are not sealed can be viewed, and copies are available for a small fee. Court documents are not posted online under state court policy, so stop in or call and we will help you find what you need.

CAN CIRCUIT CLERK STAFF GIVE LEGAL ADVICE?
By law, no. Our team cannot give legal advice of any kind, but we can help with e-filing questions and public records. For legal guidance, the free Lawyer in the Library program is a great place to start and Jackson County Courthouse has a Court Resource Center where help with filing is available certain days of the week.

WHO DO I ASK ABOUT A JURY SUMMONS?
In Jackson County, jury summonses and reporting are handled by the Jackson County Jury Commission, located on the 2nd Floor. If necessary, call 618-687-7341.

You can see the full list of frequently asked questions for the First Judicial Circuit here: https://firstcircuitil.org/circuit-courts/frequently-asked-questions/

Still have a question? Call us at (618) 687-7300 and we will point you in the right direction.

07/14/2026

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE // Take this survey by clicking this hyperlink here: ilcourts.info/2026survey which is provided in English, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, Chinese, French, Romanian, Haitian Creole, and Arabic.

The Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) announced on Monday, July 14, 2026, the launch of a statewide circuit court user survey, the first statewide circuit court user survey in Illinois since 2015. Survey results will be used to inform future policy decisions and improve the court user experience.

The anonymous survey will be conducted July 13-31, 2026. It will be available on paper and electronic formats at circuit court courthouses across the state and will ask circuit court users about their most recent experience with the Illinois circuit courts. The survey is designed to be completed by all in-person and remote circuit court users, including parties, lawyers, jurors, witnesses, and observers. Judges and court staff should not participate in the survey.

The survey is being coordinated by the IJC Court User Experience Task Force in furtherance of the 2026-2028 Judicial Branch Strategic Agenda. First District Appellate Court Justice Celia Gamrath serves as chair of the Task Force, and Union County Circuit Court Clerk Keri Clark serves as vice chair.

For more information, contact James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court, at [email protected]

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts contains Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Court information, including judges, and the opinions of the Supreme and Appellate Courts.

07/14/2026

💻 Remote Court Appearances Available
Did you know many court appearances in Jackson County can be attended remotely by Zoom? Depending on your judge and case type, you may be able to appear without coming to the courthouse in person.
Visit https://jacksoncoilcircuitclerk.gov/video-court/ to find the correct Zoom link for your judge, or call our office at (618) 687-7300 if you have questions about your specific case.

11/10/2025

📣 New Payment Option Available at the Circuit Clerk’s Office!

The Jackson County Circuit Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce the implementation of CourtMoney, a secure and convenient payment system that allows customers to pay fines, fees, and other court-related costs by credit or debit card - either at our front counter or through our website.

💳 Payments can now be made in person or online at your convenience.⚖️ A small service fee applies to each transaction, as charged by CourtMoney.

This upgrade is part of our continuing effort to modernize office services, improve accessibility, and make doing business with the Circuit Clerk’s Office easier for everyone.

We appreciate your patience and support as we continue enhancing the way we serve the people of Jackson County!

Christian M. Hale
Jackson County Circuit Clerk