McHenry County to launch electronic search warrant initiative

On Monday, Jan. 9, new technology will be implemented to streamline the authorization of search warrants in McHenry County.

"This program is a great example of multiple government agencies working together to promote justice and efficiency. The technology being deployed is going to save law enforcement an enormous amount of time and taxpayer money spent coming to and from the courthouse for a judge's approval and signature on a warrant," said McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.

Due to the collaboration of the various law enforcement agencies in McHenry County, DuPage County Clerk of the Circuit Court Information Technology Department, McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, McHenry County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office and the Circuit Court of the 22nd Judicial Circuit for McHenry County, law enforcement officers in McHenry County will soon be able to use an integrated platform to request search warrants. The officer will be able to create search warrant affidavits, send the affidavits electronically to a judge, interact with the judge via video conferencing, and ultimately have the judge sign and authorize the search warrant and send the necessary order back to the originating officer. No longer will law enforcement officers have to travel to the McHenry County Government Center or meet a judge after normal business hours after to obtain a search warrant.

The software was developed by the DuPage County Circuit Clerk of the Court Information Technology Department and has been used throughout the law enforcement agencies in DuPage County for two years. The software has provided to McHenry without cost.

"The use of electronic signatures and video conferencing is another major step forward in our technology initiatives in the court. This technology will save time and money, while increasing efficiency, at no cost. Everyone benefits," according to Dan Wallis, trial court administrator.

The project will begin during normal business hours to ensure that there the system works as it is intended and so any technical issues can be addressed timely. Once the system is fully implemented, all search warrants will be issued electronically 24 hours per day.