Arrest records are public documents in Jennings County, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement records and arrest information. The statute specifically designates that records of arrests, including the name, age, and address of the person arrested, the charges, and information relating to the circumstances of the arrest shall be made available for public inspection.
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act serves multiple public interests, including:
Requesters seeking arrest records in Jennings County are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request, as specified under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(a). However, certain portions of arrest records may be redacted if they contain confidential information as defined by state statute.
Jennings County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with Indiana's public records laws. The Jennings County Government maintains digital records that may be accessed by members of the public through official county websites. Additionally, the Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) system provides a centralized database where users can search for criminal cases, including arrest information.
Online accessibility of arrest records is subject to the following conditions:
The Indiana State Police also maintains databases that include arrest information, though these may require payment of statutory fees for comprehensive searches. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 10-13-3-30, the Indiana State Police may charge a processing fee for criminal history information.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Jennings County, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and accessibility. Members of the public may utilize the following resources:
Online Database Searches: The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides access to court records, including information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
Jennings County Sheriff's Office: Jennings County Sheriff's Office 925 S. State Street North Vernon, IN 47265 Phone: (812) 346-5111 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Jennings County Circuit Court Clerk: Jennings Circuit Court 24 North Pike Street, 2nd Floor P.O. Box 386 Vernon, IN 47282 Phone: (812) 352-3011 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Indiana Department of Correction: The Indiana Incarcerated Database Search provides information about individuals who have been arrested and subsequently incarcerated in state facilities.
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching for, copying, and certifying copies of public records. These fees shall not exceed the actual cost to the agency of providing the copy.
Arrest records maintained by Jennings County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. In accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-5, these records generally include:
It should be noted that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:
Indiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The Indiana Second Chance Law (Indiana Code § 35-38-9) establishes procedures through which individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest and conviction records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Jennings County include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Jennings Circuit Court where the case was originally adjudicated. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9-8, once an expungement is granted, the records are sealed from public view, and the person may legally state they have not been arrested or convicted of the expunged offense.
Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to expunged records for limited purposes, including consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings and for certain employment applications, such as those for law enforcement positions.