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Vincennes Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Vincennes, Indiana?

Arrest records are public in Vincennes, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that all governmental records, unless specifically exempted under statutory provisions, must be made accessible for inspection and copying by members of the public. The Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability, enabling citizens to obtain information including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies operating within Vincennes and Knox County jurisdictions.

Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, public agencies must make reasonable efforts to provide public access to records stored electronically. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which protects confidential information such as social security numbers, juvenile records, and ongoing investigation details.

How to Look Up Vincennes Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for accessing arrest records in Vincennes as of 2025. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act mandates that public agencies must provide at least one method for accessing public records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

Online Database Access: The Knox County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of arrest records that can be searched by name, date of arrest, or case number. This service is available 24 hours per day through the county's official portal.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the records division of the Vincennes Police Department or the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Proper identification is required when requesting records in person.
Written Requests: Standard mail or email requests for arrest records can be submitted to the appropriate agency. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(b), agencies must respond to written requests within seven calendar days.
Court Records: The Knox County Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings, which may be accessed during regular business hours.

Vincennes Police Department
501 Busseron Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-882-1630
Vincennes Police Department

Knox County Sheriff's Office
2375 South Old Decker Road
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-882-7660
Knox County Sheriff's Office

Contents of a Vincennes Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Vincennes law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-33-7-6, these records must include specific elements to ensure proper documentation of the arrest process. Standard components of Vincennes arrest records include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Indiana Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks
Custody status information and bail determination
Case disposition if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

These records are maintained in accordance with Indiana's records retention schedule as established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records. Law enforcement agencies in Vincennes are required to preserve these records for a minimum period as specified in the retention schedule, typically not less than ten years for most arrest records.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Vincennes is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and federal levels. Indiana's public records laws operate within the broader context of constitutional protections and federal regulations.

The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3) establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests. This statute operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law. Under IC § 5-14-3-1, the public policy of the state is declared to provide citizens with "full and complete information regarding the affairs of government."

Exceptions to disclosure are enumerated in IC § 5-14-3-4 and include:

Records declared confidential by state statute
Records declared confidential by rule adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court
Records containing information that would compromise ongoing criminal investigations
Certain personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy

The Knox County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian of court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings in Vincennes. As mandated by Indiana Code § 33-32-3-1, the Clerk is responsible for maintaining these records and making them available for public inspection.

Knox County Clerk's Office
111 North 7th Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-885-2535
Knox County Clerk's Office

Expungement of Arrest Records in Vincennes

Indiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Vincennes through a formal legal process. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Vincennes include:

Arrests that did not lead to formal charges (eligible for expungement one year after the date of arrest)
Arrests resulting in charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal (eligible one year after dismissal or acquittal)
Misdemeanor convictions (generally eligible five years after completion of sentence)
Certain non-violent felony convictions (generally eligible eight years after completion of sentence)

The expungement petition must be filed in the Knox County Circuit or Superior Court, which maintains jurisdiction over the original case. Pursuant to IC § 35-38-9-8, the court shall order expungement if all statutory requirements are met. Following expungement, the individual may legally state on applications for employment, licenses, or other civil rights that they have not been arrested for the expunged offense.

Knox County Courts
111 North 7th Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-885-2502
Knox County Courts

Limitations on Use of Arrest Records

Indiana law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records from Vincennes may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. These limitations are designed to protect individuals from discrimination based solely on arrest history while balancing public safety concerns.

Under Indiana Code § 24-4-18-6, employers are prohibited from asking job applicants about sealed or expunged arrest or conviction records. Additionally, IC § 22-9-5 prohibits discrimination in employment based on arrest records that did not result in conviction unless the charges are still pending.

Law enforcement agencies in Vincennes, including the Vincennes University Police Department, must adhere to these restrictions when disseminating arrest information to third parties. The unauthorized disclosure or misuse of arrest records may result in civil liability under Indiana law.

For individuals concerned about the improper use of their arrest records, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission provides resources and remedies for addressing potential violations:

Indiana Civil Rights Commission
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-2600
Indiana Civil Rights Commission