Washington County Court Records

Washington County Courts, IL *

Located in southwestern Illinois, Washington County has many rural farms. Nashville is the county seat. The county is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit, and the courts hear criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and small-claims cases. Each of these cases has a case record, and people can search even the county's oldest court records today.

It is important to note that Washington County is one of many in the country, and its seat, Nashville, is also in Tennessee. People looking for these records from outside of Washington County need to ensure that they are searching for Washington County, Illinois, records to avoid errors. People use these records for common reasons such as background checks, eviction history, or family research through estate files.

Overview of the Washington County Court System

The state's judicial system consists of three levels: the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Courts, and the Circuit Courts, where most cases originate. The Washington County Circuit Court is one of the four counties within the 24th Judicial Circuit (Randolph, Monroe, and Perry Counties) that splintered off from the 20th Judicial Circuit on December 5, 2022. Each county maintains its own judges and records, so all Washington County case records are housed in Nashville.

As the first point of contact with the court system, the circuit clerk has direct interaction with the courts, providing access to court documents and collecting any associated fees. Because there is only one main location of court records, research is relatively easy. The circuit clerk maintains local court records for criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and small claims. However, marriage licenses and property deed records are maintained by the county's Clerk and Recorder's Office.

Types of Courts in Washington County, Illinois

In Illinois, there is only one Circuit Court for the county that handles all case fees, with no separate probate, family, or municipal courts. All records are located in the Circuit Clerk's Office at the Washington County Judicial Center. Case sorting will help people begin searching for records by the Division of the Circuit Court where the cases were filed.

Circuit Court

The Washington County Circuit Court handles all classes of cases, from a simple traffic violation to contested estates. It is located at the Washington County Judicial Center in Nashville, whereas the now-closed historic 1884 courthouse at the square no longer handles any day-to-day court operations. Anyone planning to file papers, attend a hearing, or obtain records will need to go to the Washington County Judicial Center.

The following types of cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court:

Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic tickets and DUI cases
Small claims up to $10,000
Evictions and landlord-tenant disputes
Divorce, custody, and support cases
Civil lawsuits, foreclosures, and estate cases
Guardianship of minors and disabled adults

Cases are categorized as Criminal, Civil, Family, or Probate; however, all case records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. As a member of the 24th Judicial Circuit, Washington County is under the Chief Judge and Circuit-wide Administration, which covers three neighboring counties, each county maintaining its own records.

Primary Location: Washington County Justice Center

Drug Court (Pathway to Recovery Program)

Washington County participates in the 24th Judicial Circuit's Drug Court, the Pathway to Recovery Program, which is supervised by the Circuit Clerk and Probation Officers in the Washington County Judicial Center in Nashville. All case files are maintained at that location with all other criminal case records. The Drug Court Program provides a treatment option, as opposed to jail time, for adults whose crimes are committed due to a drug or alcohol addiction.

Cases handled include:

Adults aged 18 and over residing either in Washington or Perry County
Individuals assessed as moderate to high risk of reoffending, with substance use disorder that can be treated
Individuals being charged with a felony or a petition to revoke in regard to a felony case

Drug Court is not an independent court, nor does it have its own records management facility. All Drug Court files follow the regular criminal court process and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk, along with all other criminal files. The Drug Court is partially funded through Adult Redeploy Illinois.

How to Access Washington County Court Records

Court records for the State of Illinois are publicly available under the Illinois Clerk of Courts Act. However, juvenile, adoption, mental health, and sealed records are restricted. All other types of cases can be accessed either via online tools or in person at the Judicial Center located in Nashville.

Online Access

The Illinois court system has an online repository of public case information known as re:SearchIL. This site includes access to all electronic filings made through a local/state court, and can be accessed per the Illinois Remote Access Policy. The state's eServices hub brings filing, searching, and case management together in one spot. Attorneys and litigants are allowed full access to information in cases in which they are parties. If residents cannot access records at their homes,

Alternative Online Options

In addition to the official online tools provided by the courts, CourtCaseFinder allows one to conduct a more thorough search of records throughout many locations at the same time, and the results will include the county and court where the record is stored. These services provide an excellent starting point for conducting a case search and then filing a formal request through the Circuit Clerk for an official document of the findings.

In-Person Requests

The Washington County Circuit Clerk's office, located in the Judicial Center, will provide an official copy of a record, or if the record one wants isn't currently online, they can find it. Once they find the correct record, they will check whether it can be released and provide an official copy for a statutory fee. Providing as much detail about the record as possible, such as full names, the approximate date of the event, and/or the case number, helps speed up the search. For free assistance in searching for court records in Illinois, call or text Illinois Court Help.

Archived Records

Original County records date back to 1818, and Nashville has been the county seat since 1831. Therefore, most of the available county records are almost 200 years old. The oldest paper documents are most likely stored in a basement and will take longer to retrieve. Washington County has a great deal more historical material archived at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository system. To best research genealogy or another old land-related issue, investigate both Circuit Clerk Archives and Regional Archives.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Judicial Officers assigned to Washington County can determine the status of their matters and retrieve documents for their e-filed cases via re:SearchIL. The Civil Division qualifies for electronic filing by mandate of the Illinois Supreme Court, using the eFileIL system and an approved filing service provider to deliver documents to the Circuit Clerk. Criminal, traffic, and all other filings are completed on separate tracks; therefore, ensuring that the proper department is queried prior to the filing of a case will result in non-rejection of a filing.

A Certificate for Exemption from E-Filing under Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(4) allows paper filings. All filed documents must conform to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the local rules of the 24th Judicial Circuit. Because the Circuit is new to the court system and judges rotate from four different counties, an attorney must first confirm the matter's schedule before filing in Washington County.

How to File a Case in Washington County

Filing a case is distinct from conducting a record search, although both processes are conducted through the Circuit Clerk. Filing a case in an improper division or with an incomplete filing will delay the case, incur additional fees, or result in dismissal.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Since there's only one court for each type of case, the first step is to pick the right division. Most money disputes below the legal limit are filed in small claims court, while larger disputes are filed as civil cases. Divorce and child custody cases are filed in family court, and estate matters are filed in probate court. It is also important to file in the proper venue, meaning the county where to file the case, that is, the defendant's home county or where the cause of the lawsuit occurred. Failure to do this will result in the case being transferred and/or dismissed from court.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Illinois publishes standardized statewide forms for many types of cases, and the Circuit Clerk keeps some forms in the office. Free guided form-completion assistance for self-represented filers may be provided through Illinois Legal Aid Online. All forms must be filled out correctly and completely, signed where appropriate, and filed with all necessary attachments. Incomplete filings are the most common reason for rejection at the filing counter.

Step 3: File the Case

Most civil cases are filed electronically using an eFileIL provider from home, a library, or any public computer. Those eligible for exemption can file a paper case. The submission will be reviewed by the clerk before acceptance. Make sure to keep the assigned case number and the filed-stamp copy, as they will be needed at every stage of the case.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Fees vary by case type, so it is advisable to check with the Circuit Clerk for the most current fee amount before filing the case. Those who cannot afford fees can submit an Application for Fee Waiver based on their financial need. Filing the fee waiver at the same time as the case will reduce delays, as the judge must sign it before the case can proceed.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

The other party must receive formal notification after filing through service of process by the county sheriff, a court-appointed process server, or certified mail, when required by the rules. The individual who filed cannot serve papers personally. A form indicating service has been completed must also be returned to the court file; without such evidence, the case cannot progress to a hearing.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

It is then up to the filer to monitor the case after service. There are many reasons why court dates and deadlines can change, and if one does not attend a civil hearing, it could result in a win for the other party by default. One can avoid surprises by checking the docket on re:SearchIL or calling the Circuit Clerk. Reviewing the file and gathering evidence prior to each court date will help keep the case on track.

Washington County Courthouse Directory

Washington County Judicial Center

The Judicial Center in Nashville houses all of the county's courts. It is home to the Washington County Circuit Court and the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who is the keeper of criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and small claims court records.

Nashville

Address: 125 East Elm Street, Nashville, IL 62263

Phone: (618) 327-4800

Website: Washington County Judicial Center

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Free Legal Assistance

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to low-income residents and seniors in the counties, including assistance with housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. Illinois Legal Aid Online offers legal information, help using forms, and self-help tools for someone navigating the courts. SWAN (Stopping Woman Abuse Now) provides 24/7 hotlines, emergency shelters, and assistance with filing a protection order, which is free to file in Illinois, if one is experiencing domestic violence. They can also help with family law issues, such as child support and custody.

The Washington County Veterans Assistance Commission can assist all veterans living in the county with their VA claims and benefit paperwork. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) will be available to assist people with filing their claims at the Nashville courthouse. Residents with disabilities may contact Equip for Equality for free legal advocacy if they are disabled and have experienced discrimination, need guardianship, or assistance obtaining their benefits. Older residents of Washington County may utilize the Illinois Legal Aid Online's senior resources for assistance with estate planning and public benefits.

Local Legal Support

By telephone or text message at no expense, Illinois Court Help can answer all inquiries relating to the court process. Standardized forms are used by all jurisdictions, including those provided by the Illinois Supreme Court and the 24th Judicial Circuit's website. The Clerk's Office personnel can articulate the laws and regulations, but cannot provide legal counsel. Those without an attorney may contact the Illinois State Bar Association, which will refer them to an appropriate attorney.

FAQs

Will older Washington County cases still show up now that the circuit number has changed?

Yes. In 2022, Washington County changed from the 20th Judicial Circuit to the 24th Judicial Circuit, but the change in circuit number has no effect on the old cases, which still remain in storage with the Washington County Circuit Clerk in Nashville. Old cases are searchable on re:SearchIL by name or case number.

Is the working court in the historic courthouse on the square?

No, as this is frequently confused. The 1884 Washington County Courthouse is still located on the Nashville square; however, all day-to-day courtroom business moved to the Washington County Judicial Center on East Elm Street. All filings, hearings, and records requests are performed at the Judicial Center, where the actual courtroom and the Circuit Clerk's office are located.

Why is Washington County in a relatively new judicial circuit?

The 24th Judicial Circuit was created by the State of Illinois on December 5, 2022, when the old 20th Circuit was divided into four separate circuits consisting of Washington, Randolph, Monroe, and Perry Counties. Older records may refer to the 20th circuit, but they will remain at the Washington County Circuit Clerk located in Nashville, regardless of when the original filing took place.

If a divorce appears in court records but the marriage license does not, where should residents look?

The County Clerk and Recorder retain the marriage license, not the courts. The Circuit Clerks keep divorce records as court cases; marriage licenses, deeds, property records, and vital records are housed in the County Clerk and Recorder's office. Since marriage records in Washington County have been kept since 1832, this is a great place to begin an investigation into family history.

Where should residents start searching if they only know a person's name and are not even sure which state they are in?

Washington County and Nashville are both common place names found across multiple states, making it easy to pull records from the wrong location. Searching in the wrong place can take hours, so rather than wasting time, use CourtCaseFinder, a service that provides online court records to find out the exact county, state, and court holding a record, and to ensure that they are searching Washington County, Illinois, instead of Washington County, Texas, or some other location.

Washington County Court Records Lookup

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