Moline, IL Crime Report 2026

Moline has a safety score of 5.4/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #55 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 34.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, Moline is moderate compared to other Illinois cities. Like any city, certain areas carry more risk than others.

The most common crimes reported in Moline are theft, assault, burglary. Crime levels have remained relatively flat compared to the prior year.

Moline is a Rock Island County city of approximately 43,000 residents and one of the four cities that make up the Quad Cities metro area (with Rock Island, Davenport, and Bettendorf across the Mississippi River in Iowa). With a safety score of 5.4/10, Moline is a moderate-risk city with a stable economy anchored by Deere & Company's global headquarters. Crime is relatively flat year-over-year, with theft and assault as the primary concerns. North Moline and East Moline are the safer residential areas.

Moline is served by the Moline Police Department with approximately 100 sworn officers. Major employers include Deere & Company (John Deere), UnityPoint Health — Trinity, and Black Hawk College. The 14th Judicial Circuit Court handles Rock Island County criminal matters at the Rock Island County Courthouse, 210 15th St., Rock Island.

Moline's crime is concentrated in the downtown core and South Moline, where bar-related assaults and vehicle theft are the primary concerns. The SouthPark Mall area sees frequent retail theft and vehicle break-ins. Drug activity, particularly methamphetamine, is a persistent issue in the lower-income neighborhoods. The city's location on the Mississippi River makes it part of a regional drug trafficking corridor.

Crime in Moline is not evenly distributed — where you live or visit within the city matters enormously for your personal safety. Here is how Moline's neighborhoods compare:

Based on Moline's specific crime patterns and geography, here is what local law enforcement and safety experts recommend for residents and visitors:

• 1.

  North Moline and East Moline are the safest residential areas — crime rates here are significantly lower than the city average

• 2.

  The SouthPark Mall area sees frequent vehicle break-ins — never leave valuables visible in your car

• 3.

  Downtown Moline's bar district sees elevated assault risk on weekend nights — travel in groups and arrange transportation in advance

• 4.

  South Moline carries elevated risk — be aware of your surroundings in this area, particularly after dark

• 5.

  Moline has a neighborhood watch program — contact the MPD community affairs unit to join your local chapter

If you or a family member is arrested in Moline (Rock Island County), here is what to expect under Illinois law. The first 24 hours are critical — statements made before an attorney is present can be used against you.

1. 1.
   Arrest & Booking

   You will be taken to the Moline Police Department for booking. This includes fingerprinting, photographing, and a background check. You have the right to remain silent — exercise it immediately and ask for an attorney.

2. 2.
   Bond Hearing

   Under the Illinois SAFE-T Act (effective September 2023), cash bail has been eliminated for most offenses. Within 48 hours, a judge will determine whether you are detained or released with conditions. Electronic monitoring is commonly used as an alternative to detention in Rock Island County.

3. 3.
   Arraignment

   You will be formally charged and asked to enter a plea. This is where having a private defense attorney — rather than relying on an overloaded public defender — makes the biggest difference in your case outcome.

4. 4.
   Pretrial & Discovery

   Your attorney can challenge evidence, file motions to suppress, and negotiate with the Rock Island County State's Attorney. Many cases are resolved at this stage without going to trial. Evidence challenges are most effective when raised early.

5. 5.
   Trial or Plea Agreement

   If no plea agreement is reached, the case goes to trial. Illinois is a jury trial state for felonies. Misdemeanors may be bench trials. A skilled Rock Island County defense attorney can often negotiate reduced charges or alternative sentencing even for serious offenses.

DUI in Moline: Illinois First Offense Penalties

Illinois has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. A first-offense DUI in Moline can result in:

• Up to 364 days in jail (Class A misdemeanor)
• Fines up to $2,500 plus court costs and fees (total cost often exceeds $10,000)
• Minimum 1-year driver's license revocation
• Mandatory alcohol evaluation and treatment program
• Possible BAIID (breathalyzer ignition interlock) requirement for reinstatement
• Permanent criminal record — DUI cannot be expunged or sealed in Illinois
• Potential job loss, professional license suspension, and immigration consequences

A DUI conviction in Illinois is permanent — it cannot be expunged or sealed. An experienced Rock Island County DUI attorney may be able to challenge the traffic stop, breathalyzer calibration, field sobriety test administration, or blood draw procedures to get charges reduced or dismissed. Even a first-time DUI is worth fighting.

Find a Moline DUI attorney →

Moline criminal cases are handled by the 14th Judicial Circuit Court at the Rock Island County Courthouse, 210 15th St., Rock Island, IL 61201. The court operates under the SAFE-T Act. Rock Island County has a Drug Court and a Veterans Treatment Court. The Rock Island County Jail is located at 1317 Third Ave., Rock Island. The State's Attorney's Office coordinates with Iowa authorities on cross-border criminal activity.

Search Rock Island County court records on IllinoisCrime.com →

Illinois arrest records are public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Here are the fastest ways to find arrest information in Rock Island County:

• Moline Police Department Arrest Log

  Most Illinois police departments publish a public arrest log online or will provide one via FOIA request within 5 business days. Contact the Moline Police Department directly at 911 / MPD Non-Emergency: 309-797-0401.

• Rock Island County Circuit Court Records

  Criminal court filings are public record in Illinois. Search the Illinois Circuit Court Electronic Filing System (eFileIL) at efilingil.gov, or visit the Rock Island County courthouse in person. Court records include charges, case status, and hearing dates.

• IllinoisCrime.com Court Tracker

  Our court tracker aggregates Illinois criminal court filings from CourtListener and other public sources. Search by defendant name or case number to find Rock Island County criminal cases.

• Illinois State Police Background Check

  The ISP offers a Statewide Sex Offender Database and a Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry, both searchable online for free at isp.illinois.gov. For a full criminal history, submit a fingerprint-based background check request.

Search Illinois court records →

Crime Victim Rights in Moline, Illinois

If you were the victim of a crime in Moline, Illinois law gives you significant rights — and you may be entitled to civil compensation entirely separate from any criminal prosecution. Under the Illinois Crime Victims' Rights Act (725 ILCS 120), victims have the right to:

• Be notified of all court proceedings, including hearings, trials, and sentencing
• Be present at trial, sentencing, and parole hearings
• Submit a victim impact statement that the judge must consider at sentencing
• Request restitution from the offender as part of any sentence
• Apply for compensation from the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program (up to $27,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, and counseling)
• Be treated with dignity and respect by law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the process

Beyond criminal restitution, a civil attorney can pursue a separate lawsuit against the perpetrator for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and — in fatal cases — wrongful death damages. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, meaning a civil suit can succeed even if the criminal case results in acquittal. Many Rock Island County victims' rights attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless you recover.

Expungement and Record Sealing in Rock Island County

Illinois has one of the most expansive expungement laws in the country. Many arrests and convictions in Rock Island County can be expunged or sealed, removing them from public background checks and giving you a fresh start.

You may be eligible to expunge or seal your record if:

• Your case was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or charges were never filed
• You completed court supervision or qualified probation (waiting period applies)
• Your conviction is for a Class 4 felony or misdemeanor (waiting period and restrictions apply)
• You received a pardon from the Illinois Governor with a specific expungement authorization
• Your conviction was for a cannabis-related offense that is now legal under Illinois law

DUI convictions, sex offenses, domestic violence convictions, and most Class 1–3 felonies generally cannot be expunged in Illinois. An experienced Rock Island County expungement attorney can review your specific record and advise on your options — many offer free initial consultations.

Check your expungement eligibility →