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Fort Wayne Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fort Wayne, Indiana?

Arrest records in Fort Wayne, Indiana are classified as public records pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Fort Wayne and Allen County, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system.

Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3 specifically states that any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours, except as provided in section 4 of this chapter or as otherwise provided by law. Law enforcement agencies in Fort Wayne are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request in accordance with established procedures.

How to Look Up Fort Wayne Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Fort Wayne have multiple avenues through which such information may be accessed. The following official channels are available for record retrieval:

Fort Wayne Police Department Records Division 1 East Main Street, Suite 108 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: (260) 427-1207 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Allen County Sheriff's Department 715 South Calhoun Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: (260) 449-7535 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Allen Superior Court Criminal Division 715 South Calhoun Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: (260) 449-7681 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Allen County Clerk's Office 715 South Calhoun Street, Room 200 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: (260) 449-7245 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Indiana State Police Central Records Division 100 North Senate Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 232-8265 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge a fee for copying and certification of records. The standard fee for copying public records may not exceed the greater of ten cents ($0.10) per page for copies that are not color copies or twenty-five cents ($0.25) per page for color copies, or the actual cost to the agency of copying the record.

Contents of a Fort Wayne Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Fort Wayne law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information regarding the detained individual and the circumstances of their apprehension. In accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-5, these records generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or alternative identities
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint impressions and biometric identifiers
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Statutory charges filed against the individual
Case number and court docket information
Custody status (released on bail, detained, etc.)
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable
Disposition of the case, if resolved

It should be noted that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Fort Wayne are generally accessible to the public, Indiana law establishes specific limitations on disclosure. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to confidentiality provisions under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2, unless the juvenile case has been waived to adult court.
Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(1).
Records containing information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, such as medical information or social security numbers, are subject to redaction before public release.
Investigatory records of law enforcement agencies may be excepted from disclosure at the discretion of the public agency, as provided in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(1).
Records sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection, in accordance with Indiana Code § 35-38-9.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties as outlined in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9.5, which provides for potential fines of up to $100 per violation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fort Wayne

Indiana law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records through a process codified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9. Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Fort Wayne must file a petition with the Allen Superior Court or Allen Circuit Court, depending on which court had original jurisdiction over the case.

Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on the nature of the arrest and subsequent proceedings:

For arrests that did not lead to a conviction, petitions may be filed one year after the date of arrest.
For misdemeanor convictions, petitions may be filed five years after the date of conviction.
For certain felony convictions, petitions may be filed eight years after the completion of the sentence.
Violent offenses and sex crimes are subject to more restrictive eligibility requirements or may be ineligible for expungement.

The expungement process requires the submission of a verified petition to the court, payment of applicable filing fees, and notification to the prosecutor's office. Upon review, the court may grant an order of expungement if all statutory requirements are satisfied. When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view and the individual may legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances.

The Allen County Prosecutor's Office, located at 715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, must be served with a copy of any expungement petition filed in Allen County courts.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Fort Wayne frequently utilize arrest records as components of background screening processes. The following regulations govern such usage:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) establishes federal requirements for background checks conducted through consumer reporting agencies, including disclosure and consent provisions.
Indiana's Limited Criminal History statute (Indiana Code § 10-13-3) regulates the dissemination and use of criminal history information for non-criminal justice purposes.
Employers in Fort Wayne are prohibited from inquiring about expunged or sealed arrest records, pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9-10.
Public employers in Fort Wayne may not inquire about an applicant's criminal history on an initial employment application, in accordance with Executive Order 17-15 ("Ban the Box").

Entities requesting arrest records for background check purposes must submit proper identification and may be required to state the purpose for which the information will be used. Fees for background check services are established by the providing agency in accordance with applicable statutes.