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Westfield Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Westfield, Indiana?

Arrest records are public in Westfield, Indiana, pursuant to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) under Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest information. The State of Indiana maintains this transparency to ensure governmental accountability and to provide citizens with information pertinent to public safety. Law enforcement agencies in Westfield are required to maintain these records and make them available for public inspection, with certain statutory exceptions for privacy and ongoing investigations as outlined in IC § 5-14-3-4.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are accessible, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Indiana law, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The availability of these records serves both informational purposes and supports the public's right to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.

How to Look Up Westfield Arrest Records in 2025

The Westfield Police Department maintains several methods through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, these records must be made available for inspection and copying during regular business hours. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records in Westfield:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Westfield Police Department Records Division to submit a request for arrest records.

Westfield Police Department
17535 Dartown Road
Westfield, IN 46074
(317) 804-3200
Westfield Police Department Records Division

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Email Requests: The public may obtain copies of police reports, including arrest records, via email at no charge by contacting wpdrecords@westfield.in.gov as specified in the Report Requests guidelines.
Online Access: Hamilton County provides access to daily incident reports that include arrest information. These reports are updated regularly but may not reflect the most current information.
County Jail Records: Information about individuals currently in custody can be accessed through the Hamilton County Jail inmate lookup system.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the name of the arrested individual, date of arrest, and case number (if known) to facilitate the search process. Pursuant to IC § 5-14-3-8, fees may apply for copies of records, though the fee schedule is established to reflect only the actual cost of reproduction.

Contents of a Westfield Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Westfield Police Department contain standardized information as required by Indiana Code § 35-33-7-6. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including Indiana Code citations
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint information
Case number and incident report references
Custody status and bail information
Court appearance dates

It should be noted that pursuant to IC § 5-14-3-5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different confidentiality standards under Indiana Code § 31-39-3.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Westfield, Indiana law establishes several important limitations on access. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3) provides specific exemptions that protect certain information from disclosure. These limitations include:

Sealed or Expunged Records: Pursuant to IC § 35-38-9, records that have been officially sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile Records: Under IC § 31-39-3, arrest records pertaining to individuals under 18 years of age are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and are generally not available to the public without a court order.
Investigatory Records: Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure as provided in IC § 5-14-3-4(b)(1).
Privacy Protections: Personal information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information is redacted from public arrest records to protect individual privacy.
Restricted Access Records: Certain arrests related to protective orders, domestic violence, or sexual offenses may have restricted access to protect victim identities.

The Westfield Police Department Records Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with these legal limitations while still fulfilling the public's right to access government records. Individuals seeking access to records that may fall under these exceptions should be prepared to demonstrate legal authority for access or obtain appropriate court orders.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Westfield

Indiana law provides a pathway for the expungement of certain arrest records through a process codified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9. Expungement allows for the sealing of arrest records from public view under specific circumstances. The following criteria and procedures apply to expungement requests in Westfield:

Eligibility Requirements:
- Arrests that did not lead to conviction may be eligible for expungement after one year
- Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after five years from completion of sentence
- Certain felony convictions may be eligible after eight to ten years, depending on the offense
- The petitioner must have satisfied all terms of their sentence
- No pending criminal charges at time of petition
- All court costs, fines, and restitution must be paid in full
Filing Process:
- Petitions must be filed in the Hamilton County Circuit or Superior Court
- Separate petitions are required for each case number
- Filing fees may apply unless waived by the court
- The prosecutor's office must be notified and has the right to object
Hamilton County Courthouse
One Hamilton County Square
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 776-8500
Effect of Expungement:
- When granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view
- The individual may legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense
- Law enforcement agencies retain limited access to expunged records
- Employers may not discriminate against applicants based on expunged records

Individuals seeking expungement of Westfield arrest records are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The court reviews each petition individually to determine if the statutory requirements have been met and if expungement serves the best interests of justice.