Arrest records are public in Greene County, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Indiana citizens to access and review government records, including arrest documentation. The statute operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations serves the public interest and promotes accountability within the criminal justice system.
Members of the public may inspect and copy arrest records maintained by the Greene County Sheriff's Department unless specific statutory exemptions apply. Such exemptions typically involve ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in IC § 5-14-3-4.
The Greene County Records Division maintains these documents in accordance with state retention schedules and provides access during regular business hours:
Greene County Sheriff's Department
1 E Main St.
Bloomfield, IN 47424
Phone: (812) 384-4411
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Official Website
Arrest records in Greene County are available through digital platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Greene County Records Division provides electronic access to certain arrest documentation through their official portal. This digital accessibility aligns with Indiana's commitment to government transparency as codified in IC § 5-14-3-3(d), which encourages agencies to provide electronic access to public records when feasible.
The online availability of these records is subject to certain limitations established by Indiana law. Records that have been sealed, expunged, or are subject to restricted access under IC § 35-38-9 will not appear in public online databases. Additionally, certain identifying information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining the public's right to information.
Users seeking comprehensive arrest information should note that while basic arrest data may be available online, complete case files often require formal requests through the appropriate county offices. The Indiana State Police also maintains certain arrest data that may be accessed through their official channels.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing Greene County arrest records:
Greene County Sheriff's Department Records Division: The primary custodian of arrest records in the county provides direct access to these documents. Requestors may submit written applications in person or by mail to the Records Division.
Greene County Sheriff's Department Records Division
1 E Main St.
Bloomfield, IN 47424
Phone: (812) 384-4411, Option 2
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Greene County Courts: The Greene County Circuit Court maintains records of arrests that have proceeded to court action. These records may be accessed through the Clerk's Office.
Greene County Circuit Court
1 E Main St., Room 110
Bloomfield, IN 47424
Phone: (812) 384-8530
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Indiana State Police Central Repository: For statewide arrest history information, the Indiana State Police maintains a central database accessible through formal requests.
Indiana State Police Central Records Division
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N302
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-8263
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
myCase Portal: The Indiana Judiciary's online case management system provides access to court cases related to arrests. This resource is available at https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase.
Pursuant to IC § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and search time associated with record requests. Current fee schedules should be verified with each agency prior to submitting requests.
Greene County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Indiana law and administrative regulations. These documents typically include:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of the criminal justice process and the arresting agency's protocols. Records maintained by the Greene County Sheriff's Department adhere to the Indiana Criminal Justice Information System standards for data collection and retention.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with IC § 5-14-3-4(b), including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Juvenile arrest records are generally not publicly accessible unless the case has been waived to adult court pursuant to IC § 31-30-3.
Indiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under IC § 35-38-9. This process allows eligible individuals to petition the courts to seal or restrict access to arrest records, effectively removing them from public view. The Greene County Circuit Court processes expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within the county jurisdiction.
Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on several factors:
The expungement process requires filing a verified petition with the Greene County Circuit Court. Petitioners must provide complete and accurate information regarding the arrest and subsequent proceedings. The court may schedule a hearing to determine eligibility, and notice must be provided to the prosecuting attorney.
Upon granting an expungement, the court orders all relevant agencies to seal or restrict access to the arrest records. Pursuant to IC § 35-38-9-10, it is unlawful for entities to discriminate against individuals based on expunged arrest records.