Search Elkhart Court Records

ElkhartCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on ElkhartCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

  1. Elkhart County Court
  2. Elkhart County Arrest Records

Elkhart County, Indiana Arrest Records

Elkhart County arrest records are official documents regarding arrests conducted within the county. Local law enforcement agencies create such records after arresting and booking suspected offenders. Arrest records typically reveal the inmate’s personal information, arrest charges, booking number and date, and bail amount.

Arrest records are considered public documents under the Indiana Code § 5-14-3 et seq. The law allows the general public to access records generated by government entities in the state. In addition, the IC 10-13-3 allows public access to criminal history records, which may also include some arrest information.

These state laws allow public access to arrest records for the following reasons:

  • To ensure transparency in the criminal justice system.
  • To ensure fairness in arrest events.
  • To protect the community from potential harm or threat.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Elkhart, Indiana?

Most arrest information is publicly accessible in Elkhart County. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act requires record custodians to release arrest records upon requests from interested and eligible parties. 

Nevertheless, the law restricts public access to specific arrest information. Such exempt information is considered confidential, and disclosure may violate the privacy and safety rights of concerned parties. Non-public arrest records may include the following:

  • Information on juvenile arrestees.
  • Identities of undercover operatives.
  • Personal information about informants, complainants, and crime victims.
  • Investigatory records.
  • Arrest records that were sealed or expunged under state or federal law.

Elkhart County Arrest Search

Interested parties may search and view arrest information in inmate databases. Such databases may reveal arrest-related data, such as the inmate’s name and personal description, arrest charges, booking date and time, and bond amount.

The Indiana Department of Correction hosts an online searchable database for inmates serving time in state correctional facilities. Inquirers may view inmate records by entering the inmate’s full name or DOC number.

You may also find arrest records via the Inmate Locator maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Inmate Locator provides information about offenders currently incarcerated in federal prisons. To view records on the platform, you may fill in the inmate’s name or prison number.

Arrest records are also included in criminal history databases. The Indiana State Police maintains an online criminal history database that may also contain information on arrest events. You may view the following data in the database:

  • Misdemeanor and felony arrests that are less than one year old.
  • Misdemeanor and felony arrests over one year old that have a court disposition or conviction.

To search arrest records on the platform, inquirers must first create an account or log in to a preexisting one. Next, they must provide relevant search data and pay the required search fee to retrieve records.

Elkhart County Inmate Locator

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office does not have a dedicated searchable portal for inmate information. However, the Indiana County Jail Public Portal provides information on current and past inmates in the Elkhart County jail. You may search inmate records on the portal by following these steps:

  1. Visit the Indiana County Jail Public Portal
  2. Fill in these details:
    1. The inmate’s first and last name.
    2. Time range of the booking date.
    3. Time range of the release date.
    4. The county name where the inmate is/was held.
  3. Click on “Search” to view relevant inmate data.

Active Warrant Search in Elkhart County

Elkhart County arrest warrants are court orders that command law enforcement officers to arrest persons named on the document. Court judges may issue arrest warrants after receiving a complaint or sworn statement from an arresting officer. The statement must show probable cause for the arrest of the suspect. 

Under Indiana Code § 35-33-2-2, an arrest warrant must include the following:

  • The defendant’s name and description.
  • Criminal charges.
  • A statement that the offender must be arrested and brought before the court issuing the warrant.
  • Warrant issuance date and location.
  • Signature, name, and the official position of the court judge.

The Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office maintains an online database of wanted persons in the county. Inquirers may enter the offender’s name to find out if a warrant exists. There is also an option to find offenders by scrolling through the database.

The county sheriff’s office provides an alternative option for looking up active warrants issued in the county. Inquirers may submit an in-person or mail request for active warrants by contacting the sheriff’s office at this address:

26861 County Road 26,

Elkhart, Indiana 

Phone: (574) 891-2100 

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Elkhart County

In Elkhart County, you may find arrest records for free by using the tools and options provided by government agencies. For example, the Indiana County Jail Public Portal allows free searches for inmates held at the Elkhart County Jail. Record seekers may access arrest information by filling in the inmate’s name, birthdate, booking date, and county.

The Indiana Department of Correction also offers a free online search tool for finding information about arrestees. To search records on the tool, record seekers must enter the inmate’s name or prison number.

Likewise, you can find free arrest information on federal inmates via the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator. The platform allows name- or ID-number-based searches for arrest records.

Elkhart County Arrest Report

In Elkhart County, arrest reports provide a detailed narration of an arrest event. Such documents provide information about events leading to, during, and after an arrest. They typically include the following information:

  • The officer’s narration of events leading to the arrest. This may include probable cause for the arrest.
  • Statement from witnesses.
  • Description of all evidence collected.
  • Observation about the suspect’s behavior or statements.

Arrest reports are important documents in legal processes. Trial courts and the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles may use arrest reports as evidence or reference in their decision-making process.

Interested persons may obtain arrest reports only from the arresting agency. For example, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office requires record seekers to submit a request form to this address:

Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office

Records Division

26861 C.R. 26, 

Elkhart, IN 46517

In contrast, arrest records provide a summary of arrest information. Such records are generally created after an offender has been arrested and booked. Arrest records may include the detainee’s name, address, charges, and bail amount.Record seekers may find arrest records under the purview of local, state, or federal agencies. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Elkhart County

The Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1 requires the court to automatically dismiss records of non-conviction arrests that occurred on or after July 1, 2022. The expungement order may take effect within 60 days after the dismissal. However, the expungement process is different for dismissed arrests that occurred before that date. You may expunge such records by filing a petition with a court of competent jurisdiction.

To expunge arrest records, petitioners are generally required to meet these criteria: 

  • The arrest was dismissed and did not lead to a conviction.
  • The arrest led to a conviction, but it was later vacated.
  • There was no conviction within one year of the arrest.

However, you are required to wait for specific waiting periods if the arrest led to a court conviction. The timeframes differ based on the offense level as follows:

  • Five years after a conviction for a misdemeanor.
  • Eight years for level 6 felonies that did not result in bodily injury.
  • Eight years from conviction or three years post-sentence for major felonies. 
  • Ten years from conviction or five years after sentence completion for felonies with serious bodily injury. 

Eligible petitioners may expunge arrest records by following these steps:

  1. Create a petition that contains the following data:
    1. The petitioner’s personal information, including the names, birthdate, and social security number
    2. Arrest date and related data, such as the arrest charges and the arresting agency’s name.
    3. County where the arrest occurred.
    4. The case number if the charges were filed.
  2. Submit the petition to the circuit court or the superior court. However, for arrests that led to convictions, you must file the petition with the court where the conviction occurred.
  3. Pay the required $157 expungement fee along with the petition.

Upon receiving the petition, the court may schedule a hearing and notify all concerned parties. Prosecutors have 30 days from the date of notification to object to the expungement petition. The court may review submissions from all parties and issue a ruling.

How Do You Remove Elkhart County Arrest Records From the Internet?

You must first obtain a court order for expungement of your arrest record. Government official websites may remove your records upon receiving copies of the order from the court. 

However, you may directly contact third-party websites to request removal of your records. You can find their contact information on their  “About Us” or “Contact Us” pages. The websites may require a copy of the court order before removing your records. 

Alternatively, you may erase your record by contacting data brokers, who are responsible for selling arrest information to third-party websites. Upon receiving your request, these brokers may add you to their “do not sell” list.

What Do Public Elkhart County Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Elkhart County may include these details:

  • The arrestee’s name and personal information, like address, height, and ethnicity.
  • Arrest charges, date, and location.
  • Mugshot
  • Booking date and time
  • Bail amount
  • Name of the arresting agency.