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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
Filing Process:
Hamilton County Courthouse
One Hamilton County Square
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 776-8500
Effect of Expungement:
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.