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North Vernon Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in North Vernon, Indiana?

Arrest records are public in North Vernon, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This statute establishes that governmental records shall be available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law. The maintenance of public arrest records serves multiple civic functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public oversight of the criminal justice system, and providing citizens with information pertinent to public safety. The Indiana legislature has determined that the public interest is best served when government operations, including arrests, remain transparent and accessible to citizens.

How to Look Up North Vernon Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in North Vernon have several official channels through which such information may be obtained. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act provides for reasonable access to these records through established governmental procedures:

  • Visit the North Vernon Police Department located at 101 Madison Avenue, North Vernon, IN 47265. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone: (812) 346-1466. The Records Division maintains files of all arrests made within city jurisdiction.

  • Access records through the Jennings County Circuit Court at the Jennings County Courthouse, 24 North Pike Street, Vernon, Indiana 47282. Telephone: (812) 352-3011. Court records often contain detailed information about arrests and subsequent proceedings.

  • Utilize the Jennings County Clerk's Office for court-related arrest documentation. The Clerk serves as the official record keeper for the courts and maintains files on criminal cases. Located at 24 North Pike Street, Vernon, IN 47282. Telephone: (812) 352-3070.

  • Submit a formal public records request to the Jennings County Sheriff's Office for arrests made in unincorporated areas of the county. Located at 925 South State Street, North Vernon, IN 47265. Telephone: (812) 346-5111.

  • Check the Indiana Judicial Branch online portal for publicly available case information related to arrests. This resource provides basic information about criminal cases filed in Jennings County courts.

Contents of a North Vernon Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by North Vernon law enforcement agencies and the Jennings County judicial system typically contain the following information as prescribed by Indiana Code § 35-33-7:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
  • Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
  • Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
  • Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
  • Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks, and other distinguishing characteristics
  • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
  • Residential address of the arrested individual
  • Case number assigned by the arresting agency
  • Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled
  • Bail or bond information, including amount set and payment status
  • Detention facility where the individual was held following arrest

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in North Vernon

The State of Indiana provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, commonly known as the Second Chance Law. This statute establishes procedures through which qualifying individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained in North Vernon and throughout Jennings County.

Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on several factors:

  • For arrests that did not lead to conviction, petitions may be filed one year after the date of arrest
  • For misdemeanor convictions, petitions may be filed five years after the completion of the sentence
  • For certain non-violent felony convictions, petitions may be filed eight years after sentence completion
  • Violent felonies require an eight-year waiting period and prosecutorial consent
  • Certain serious felonies and sex offenses are ineligible for expungement

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Jennings Circuit Court or Jennings Superior Court, depending on which court handled the original case. The petition must include certified copies of all relevant case documents, verification that all fines, fees, and restitution have been paid, and evidence that the petitioner has not been convicted of any crimes during the waiting period.

Upon granting an expungement, the court orders all arrest records to be sealed from public view. Law enforcement agencies, including the North Vernon Police Department, must comply with expungement orders by restricting access to the specified records. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9-10, it is unlawful for any person to discriminate against an individual whose record has been expunged.

The Jennings County Probation Department, located at 953 South State Street, North Vernon, IN 47265, telephone (812) 346-8920, can provide information regarding eligibility for expungement to individuals who were previously under supervision.

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