>Elkhart County Arrest Records Online

Elkhart County, Indiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Elkhart County, Indiana?

Arrest records are public in Elkhart County, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties. These records document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officers operating within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records is consistent with Indiana's commitment to open government and serves multiple civic purposes:

Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Provides information relevant to public safety concerns
Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Allows background verification for employment or housing purposes

Certain limited exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving juvenile arrests, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would create a significant risk to public safety as outlined in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Elkhart County?

Arrest records for Elkhart County can be accessed online through several official portals maintained by state and county agencies. The Indiana Courts Case Search system (MyCase) provides a centralized database where members of the public may search for court cases, including those stemming from arrests in Elkhart County. Additionally, the Elkhart County Jail Inmate Lookup allows citizens to verify current incarceration status of individuals within the county detention facilities.

Online access to these records is governed by the provisions set forth in Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to court records. The rule balances the public's right to information with privacy considerations and practical limitations of technology systems.

Digital access options include:

Real-time booking information through the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office website
Case status updates via the Indiana Courts portal
Historical arrest data through approved third-party aggregators
Outstanding warrant information through designated law enforcement databases

Elkhart County Sheriff's Office
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
574-891-2100
Official Website

How to Look Up Elkhart County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Elkhart County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple methods to obtain this information, as prescribed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining appropriate administrative controls:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit in-person requests for arrest records at the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Requestors must complete a standard public records request form and provide proper identification. Fees for copies are assessed pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, with standard document reproduction charges of $0.10 per page for black and white copies.

Online Access

The Indiana County Jail Public Portal provides current booking information for individuals detained in Elkhart County facilities. For court case information related to arrests, the Indiana Courts Case Search system offers comprehensive access to public court records. Users must register for an account and may be subject to nominal access fees for certain detailed reports.

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to:

Elkhart County Records Division
301 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN 46516

All written requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Requestor's contact information
Notarized signature if requesting records of another individual

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies must respond to requests within seven (7) business days of receipt.

Contents of an Elkhart County Arrest Record

Elkhart County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Indiana Administrative Code Title 240, Article 5. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in custodial arrest. The contents of these records are maintained in accordance with state record-keeping requirements and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race as observed by arresting officer

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory charges filed at time of booking
Indiana Code citations for alleged violations
Arrest circumstances and probable cause summary
Weapon involvement (if applicable)

Processing Information

Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification data
Property inventory at time of booking
Medical screening notations
Bond amount and type
Court appearance scheduling information

Case Disposition

Initial hearing outcomes
Charging decisions by prosecutorial authorities
Case number assignments
Court of jurisdiction

The Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office maintains records related to charging decisions following arrests, while the Elkhart County Courts maintain case progression records.

Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office
301 South Main Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-296-1888
Official Website

Expungement of Arrest Records in Elkhart County

Indiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9. The expungement process in Elkhart County is administered through the Elkhart Circuit and Superior Courts in accordance with state statutory provisions and local court rules.

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in cases where:

No charges were filed within one year of arrest
Charges were filed but later dismissed
The person was acquitted of all charges after trial
Convictions have satisfied waiting period requirements based on offense classification

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the court of jurisdiction and provide notice to the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office. Upon review and determination of eligibility, the court may issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or restrict access to the specified arrest records.

Expunged records are not destroyed but are segregated from public access. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain limited access to expunged records for specific authorized purposes as permitted under Indiana Code § 35-38-9-6. Individuals who have received expungement orders may legally state on applications for employment, housing, or licensure that they have not been arrested for the expunged offense.

The Elkhart County Adult Probation Department can provide guidance regarding eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Elkhart County Adult Probation Department
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, Indiana 46516
574-523-2203