Accessing Criminal and Arrest Records in Indiana Access free criminal and arrest records in Indiana now, or use the resources in this guide to search every county in IN.
The Freedom of Information Act in Indiana The Freedom of Information Act makes Indiana public records and criminal proceedings viewable, but they can be difficult to find due to various record custodians (keepers) and organizational differences between counties and states.
Streamlined Search with Records Page To streamline this process, the Records Page offers step-by-step guides that make finding someone’s criminal history as easy as following and clicking along.

By the end of this guide, searchers will have the tools, skills, and knowledge to gain insight into anyone’s past and understand how to:

  • Check for recent arrests and mugshots in Indiana
  • Determine why someone was arrested in IN and post bail
  • See anyone’s criminal history, obtain copies, and seal and expunge criminal records in Indiana
  • Check if someone has a warrant, or is on probation or parole in Indiana
  • Run an Indiana background check for personal or professional reasons
  • Locate someone in an Indiana state prison or federal prison
  • Find and review Indiana laws surrounding criminal records and anti-discrimination

Click Here to Search this form:https://iowa.recordspage.org/arrest-criminal-records/

Are Criminal Records & Arrest Records Available To the Public in Indiana?

When searching Indiana criminal records, knowing the public records laws in the state helps narrow down what the searcher can access and what they cannot. According to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, Code 5-14-3, all criminal records or arrest records are considered public except for the following:

  • Records that fall under the protection of state or federal laws,
  • Law enforcement investigatory reports,
  • Juvenile records, and
  • Information about victims or witnesses.

This same statute applies when searching arrest records in Indiana as well since these are part of the overall criminal record and are considered public domain.
Federal records that are generated by government agencies operating within Indiana, such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons, are governed by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which makes federal criminal records public.
Disclosure of records must comply with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations and guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding criminal records and arrest records when used for commercial purposes.

Types of Records and Information
The amount of information received is also dependent upon the type of record and the agency that generated the record.

The Difference Between Criminal Records vs Arrest Records in Indiana & What Shows Up on Each

Many people refer to arrest records and criminal records as if they are the same; however, there are distinct differences between the two.
Arrest Records in Indiana: An arrest record in Indiana contains the following information:

  • Name of the subject
  • Date/time/location of the arrest
  • Charges that resulted in the arrest
  • May contain a mugshot database and bond information

An arrest record is one of the first documents generated in a criminal case, but it does not tell the entire story.

Criminal Records: A criminal record is a more comprehensive record of the charges filed against the subject, arrests, and court information or disposition. This includes:

  • When charges are dropped or dismissed
  • When an acquittal has occurred
  • When the person is found guilty
  • Sentencing information such as probation, incarceration, or parole records

An arrest record should not be the only information used when deciding employment, licensure, or housing since an arrest does not necessarily mean a conviction. When making official decisions based on criminal history, searchers should use official state resources to gather information.

How To Search Indiana Arrest Records, Find Recent Arrests & Determine Why Someone Is in Jail for Free

Searching local arrest records is how to find recent arrests at area detention centers, which are typically maintained by a local law enforcement agency, and these facilities can be county-wide or regional, covering many counties.


Checking Recent Arrests in Indiana City Jails

City or Municipal Police Departments in Indiana also operate their holding facilities. However, these departments typically utilize county holding facilities to detain individuals arrested by city police. If you are uncertain about how to determine whether someone has been arrested by the city police, follow these steps:

  • Google Indiana [City Police Department] Inmate Search.
  • Examine the top 2 to 4 search results to locate the official municipal law enforcement website, and click on the provided link.
  • Seek out the agency’s non-emergency number or a booking link to obtain information on acquiring an arrest report from that specific agency.

Searching for Someone Arrested by the Indianapolis Police Department

To search for someone arrested by the Indianapolis Police Department, follow these steps:

Google Indianapolis Police Department Inmate Search

  • Go to your preferred search engine and enter “Indianapolis Police Department inmate search.”
  • The first link in the search results will lead you to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office search portal.

Get Started with the Search

  • Click the “Get Started” button on the portal’s homepage.
  • Enter the person’s name to initiate the search for their current arrest records.

Review Search Results

  • Examine the search results to ensure they match the subject, especially if the person has a common name.

Running a Public Arrest Record Search in Indiana (Statewide Lookup)

If you wish to search for felony and class A misdemeanor arrest records in Indiana for a fee of $15 per record, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Indiana State Police Website
    • Navigate to the Indiana State Police website.
  2. Start the Search
    • Read the online search portal notice, then click the “start search” button to begin your quest for arrest records.
  3. Create an Account
    • Set up an account and provide your payment method details.
    • A name-based search can reveal whether the person has been arrested anywhere in Indiana.

Using the Indianapolis State Police portal is ideal for statewide searches, but for local searches, consider the local sheriff’s department. It offers a quicker and free way to find out about someone’s charges in jail.

Contacting an Indiana Jail Inmate and Posting Bail

If you need to post bail for a friend or loved one in a local Indiana jail, start by locating the inmate using the steps mentioned earlier and utilize the table with county sheriff’s office links.

From these links, you can access information on how to contact the inmate, the jail’s visitation policies, and the items an inmate can have while incarcerated. Many jails partner with third-party telephone providers for prepaid services to allow arrestees to reach out regarding bail or other matters.

For example, to contact an inmate in Allen County, Indiana, follow these steps:

Use a Search Engine

  • Open a search engine, such as Google, on your computer.

Find Allen County Sheriff’s Office Contact Information

  • Type “Indiana Allen County Sheriff’s Office inmate contact information” into the search bar.

Access Jail Information

  • Look for the official Allen County Sheriff’s Office website in the search results.
  • Click the link labeled “jail” to learn about visitation, telephone contact, and other essential jail information.

In summary, the same steps used to locate an inmate can also be used to find out how to bail them out or contact them for attorney preferences or any needs while in jail.
When conducting this type of search, keep in mind that many states have counties with the same name. Always verify the department’s location in Indiana to ensure accuracy. Furthermore, if you need a complete criminal history, refer to the following section on how to search for Indiana criminal records.

Searching for Indiana Criminal Records

Once a matter has been investigated and processed by the local law enforcement agency, the next step involves building a court record. This record includes initial charges, any reduced charges resulting from plea bargains, case dispositions, and sentencing when a person is found guilty or pleads guilty to charges.

How to Search Statewide Indiana Criminal Records

  1. Open the Indiana Judicial Branch Website
  2. Start Searching for Criminal Records
    • Click the “Start Searching” button to initiate a criminal record search.
  3. Select Search Cases
    • Choose the first box on the next page labeled “Search Cases.”
  4. Perform a Name-Based Search
    • Select the “Name” tab to conduct a name-based search.
  5. Enter Subject’s Last Name
    • Enter, at a minimum, the subject’s last name.
  6. Specify Criminal Cases
    • Click the box beside “Criminal and Citations” to search exclusively for criminal cases.
    • Then, click the “Search” button.
  7. Review Search Results
    • Match the records listed in the search results with the subject of the search.

Criminal Justice Information Available

Information available through the State Judicial System Search Portal includes:

  • Case Number
  • Courthouse
  • Type of Case
  • Date Filed
  • Case Status
  • Parties in the Case
  • Charges (along with the statute number)
  • Case Summary in Chronological Order

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Obtain a Copy of Indiana Criminal Records

  1. Visit the Indiana State Police Website
    • Go to the Indiana State Police website.
  2. Access Criminal History Services
    • On the homepage, click the menu link and choose “Criminal History Services” from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select Limited Criminal History Records
    • In the middle window, select “Limited Criminal History Records.”
  4. Create an Account
    • Click the “Start Search” button.
    • Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new account.
  5. Log into Your Account
    • Log into the newly created account.
  6. Set Up a Payment Method
    • Ensure you have a valid payment method set up for the transaction.
  7. Fill Out the Search Form
    • Complete the form to conduct a name-based search.
  8. Retrieve and Print the Record
    • Once the record is available, you can print it from any printer connected to your computer.

Statewide Indiana Criminal Record Information

This document presents a comprehensive overview of statewide Indiana criminal records. Please note that this information is limited to the state of Indiana and does not encompass a nationwide search, often referred to as an FBI rap sheet. Within this record, you will find details related to felony and class A misdemeanor arrests, charges, convictions, and dispositions. These records are retained in the system until the individual either reaches the age of 99 or passes away.

Steps To Locate Someone in a Federal Prison or Indiana State Prison

Introduction Another crucial aspect of an individual’s criminal history is their incarceration history. People often search for inmate records to ascertain whether someone is currently incarcerated in their state or to locate a friend, family member, or acquaintance who has been sentenced to active imprisonment and might have been transferred between different correctional facilities.

Indiana’s Correctional Facilities Indiana is home to one federal prison and eighteen state correctional facilities, housing approximately 27,000 inmates in state institutions and 1,333 in the federal facility.8

Searching for a Federal Inmate at US Prison Terre Haute To search for a federal inmate at the United States Prison Terre Haute location, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Website
    • Access the official Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website.
  2. Enter the Subject’s First and Last Name
    • Input the first and last name of the individual you are searching for.
  3. Initiate the Search
    • Click the search button to initiate the search process.
  4. Review the Search Results
    • Carefully review the search results to determine whether the person you are looking for is located at the United States Prison Terre Haute.

Locating State Prison Inmates: A Step-by-Step Guide

Access the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) Inmate Search Page

To locate state prison inmates, follow these steps:

Enter the Person’s First and Last Name
On the computer, navigate to the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) inmate search page. Enter the person’s first and last name into the designated fields.

Initiate the Search
After inputting the required information, click the “Search” button to initiate the search process.

View Inmate Details
Review the search results and click on the DOC number corresponding to the person you are interested in to access detailed information about their incarceration.

Access Inmate Record Information
The IDOC online inmate record provides the following details about the offender:

  • Offender’s Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Gender
  • Race
  • Facility Where the Person is Incarcerated
  • Earliest Possible Release Date or Date Released from IDOC Custody
  • Sentencing Information, Including the Offense the Person Was Convicted Of

How to Run a Warrant Search and Find Out if You or Someone Else Has an Active Arrest Warrant

Introduction Prison serves as the final destination in the criminal justice process, following an arrest or the filing of charges. Many individuals often wonder how they can check for active warrants in their state.

Methods to Check for an Arrest Warrant There are two primary methods to determine if an individual has an active arrest warrant. Local police departments and county sheriff’s offices frequently publish wanted lists or warrant lists on their official websites. This practice encourages individuals to either surrender themselves or assist the public in identifying and locating particularly dangerous suspects. Conducting a warrant search is a vital step in answering the question: “Have I been charged with a crime?”

Example: Lake County, Indiana To illustrate the process of checking for an arrest warrant in Lake County, Indiana, follow these steps:

  • Open a Search Engine: Launch Bing, Google, or any preferred search engine.
  • Enter Search Terms: Type “Lake County Indiana + warrant list” into the search bar.
  • Locate Official Website: Find the official website of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in the search results.
  • Access Active Warrants: Click on the link that leads to the page for searching active warrants.
  • Accept Disclaimer: Read and accept the disclaimer provided on the website.
  • Enter Information: Enter the person’s name into the search field and click the “begin search” button. Alternatively, select the appropriate zip code from the drop-down menu to view all wanted individuals in that specific area, then click the “search” button.
  • View Details: To access details about a specific warrant, select the arrow located in the row corresponding to the subject’s name.

By following these steps, you can easily run a warrant search to determine if you or someone else has an active arrest warrant in Lake County, Indiana, or any other jurisdiction with a similar procedure.

Online Directory for Indiana Courts

The Indiana Judicial Branch offers an online directory for accessing court information. Follow the steps outlined in the section above to utilize this resource effectively.

Court Record Check
To check court records, individuals can determine whether a bench warrant has been issued for a defendant in Indiana. Simply follow these steps:

  • Access the online directory.
  • Click on the defendant’s name of interest.
  • Navigate to the chronological case summary.

Here, you can review the case history to ascertain if a warrant has been issued against the subject.

How To Search for Sexual Predators Nearby Using the Indiana Sex Offender Registry

Indiana maintains a state sex offender registry that can be searched by anyone to find out if someone is a registered sex offender or to find out how many registered offenders are located in their area. To search the Indiana sex offender registry, do the following:

Open the Indiana Sex & Violent Offender Registry Website

  • Visit the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC)-maintained website.
  • Read the disclaimer and click the link to access the registry search page.

Select the County of Interest

  • Click on the county on the provided map.
  • Alternatively, scroll down the page to find and click on the county name to search for offenders in that area.

Access the Search Form

  • Follow the on-screen prompts to navigate to the search form for the selected county.

Conduct a Name-Based Search

  • Enter the subject’s name to initiate a name-based search of the registry.

Review Search Results

  • Examine the search results to match the record with the subject.
  • The registry includes a mugshot of the offender to aid in narrowing the search.

Additional Information

  • The Indiana registry also serves as the felony registry for violent offenders in the state.
  • Clicking on an offender’s name provides more details about the individual, including physical description, compliance with the registry, location of the offender, and a description of the offense.

An Overview of Indiana Laws Regarding Criminal Records & Arrest Records

Any Indiana criminal records are subject to state and federal laws governing the disclosure of information for both commercial and personal background checks, as outlined below:

Indiana Code 24-4-18-7: Commercial Background Checks

    • Prohibits commercial background check providers of the people finder type from distributing information on a person’s criminal history if the record hasn’t undergone material changes within 60 days before the report’s delivery.
    • This provision ensures the accuracy of the report, particularly when the subject has sought expungement or record sealing.

Indiana Code 24-4-18-6: Expunged or Sealed Records

    • Expressly prohibits the disclosure of expunged or sealed records on background checks used for employment, licensure, housing, or personal use.
    • This applies to background check agencies and public records repositories, safeguarding the confidentiality of such records.

Ban the Box Law in Indiana for Private Sector Employers

There is no ban the box law for private sector employers in Indiana per Code 22-2-17-3, but public sector (government) employees are subject to the governor’s Executive Order 17-15, which prohibits asking about criminal history on an application, moving the inquiries to later in the hiring process where otherwise qualified candidates have a better chance.

Background Check Regulations

Background checks are also subject to federal statutes, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which prohibits disclosing non-convictions that are more than seven years old, in addition to limiting credit history reports to seven years (10 for bankruptcies). Employers are also prohibited from using criminal history in a discriminatory manner, and guidance on how to remain in compliance is provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Applicability to Arrest Records
These same laws apply to arrest records, which must be requested and used in compliance with the statutes mentioned above.

How to Search for Records in Indiana

Searching records on an individual in Indiana doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using this free guide, searchers can locate arrest records in Indiana in just a few steps online. Readers will also possess the skills and tools necessary to find Indiana criminal records using various state and local resources.

FAQs

What information can I access in Indiana Criminal and Arrest Records for free?

You can access public criminal and arrest records in Indiana, which typically include details such as the name of the individual, charges filed, court proceedings, and case disposition. However, sensitive information like social security numbers and home addresses may be redacted to protect privacy.

How can I obtain Indiana Criminal and Arrest Records at no cost?

Indiana provides public access to certain criminal and arrest records through online databases maintained by law enforcement agencies and the courts. You can usually search for records by name or case number on these websites without incurring any fees.

Are all Indiana Criminal and Arrest Records publicly accessible for free?

Not all records may be available for free. Some records, especially those related to ongoing investigations or sealed cases, may not be accessible to the public. Additionally, certain agencies or third-party websites may charge fees for more extensive background checks.

Is there a waiting period for accessing recent Indiana arrest records?

In most cases, recent arrest records should be available for public access shortly after the arrest occurs. However, the exact availability and timeliness of records can vary depending on the law enforcement agency and their data update processes.

Are there any restrictions on using Indiana Criminal and Arrest Records obtained for free?

While you can access these records for informational purposes, it’s important to note that they should not be used for unlawful or malicious intent, such as harassment or discrimination. Always use this information responsibly and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.