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Indianapolis Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Indianapolis, Indiana?

Arrest records are public in Indianapolis, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law promotes governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information about law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement actions. Under Indiana law, basic arrest information including the name of the person arrested, charges filed, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest are considered public information. This accessibility serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system.

How to Look Up Indianapolis Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Indianapolis have several methods available to access this information. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department maintains these records and provides multiple channels for retrieval:

Online Public Access Systems: The IMPD provides electronic access to arrest records through their online portal. Citizens may search by name, date of arrest, or case number to locate specific records. The Public Safety Maps portal allows users to view recent incident reports and arrest data geographically.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the IMPD Records Division to submit a request for arrest records in person.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Records Division
50 N. Alabama Street, E100
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-327-3282
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records by mail or email. Requests must include the full name of the arrested individual, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information.
County Clerk's Office: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be obtained from:

Marion County Clerk's Office
200 E. Washington Street, W122
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-327-4740
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and search time when providing incident reports and arrest records.

Contents of an Indianapolis Arrest Record

Indianapolis arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. These records typically include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical description
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, including Indiana Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
Case or incident report number for reference
Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
Court appearance dates and locations
Disposition of the case, if available

It should be noted that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b), certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Indianapolis

The State of Indiana provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Indiana Code § 35-38-9. Expungement allows eligible individuals to have their arrest records sealed from public view, effectively removing them from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Indianapolis include:

Cases resulting in no charges being filed
Cases dismissed or resulting in acquittal
Arrests for misdemeanors or certain non-violent felonies after specified waiting periods
Completion of pretrial diversion programs or specialized court programs

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Petitioners must:

Complete the appropriate petition forms available through the Indiana Judicial Branch
File the petition with the Marion County Clerk's Office
Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
Attend any scheduled court hearings regarding the petition

Marion County Superior Court
200 E. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-327-4747
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Successful expungement restricts public access to arrest records but does not completely destroy them. Law enforcement agencies and certain government entities may still access expunged records under limited circumstances as permitted by statute. Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements, and outcomes depend on the specific circumstances of each case.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Indianapolis, certain restrictions apply to their accessibility. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 establishes several categories of information that may be exempt from public disclosure:

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age)
Records sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to statute
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Records related to certain sensitive crimes, particularly those involving minors
Information that would create a risk to public safety if disclosed

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and other custodians of records must balance the public's right to information with privacy protections established by law. When requesting arrest records, members of the public should be aware that certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with these statutory exemptions.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Indianapolis frequently utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes. The use of such records is governed by both state and federal regulations, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Indiana employment laws.

Key considerations for using arrest records in background checks include:

Indiana Code § 24-4-18-6 prohibits employers from asking about sealed or expunged arrests and convictions
Employers must obtain written consent before conducting background checks that include arrest record searches
The FCRA requires notification if adverse actions are taken based on information in background checks
Arrest records without subsequent convictions may have limited use in employment decisions

Organizations conducting background checks using Indianapolis arrest records should ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations to avoid potential liability for improper use of such information.