>Putnam County Arrest Records Online

Putnam County, Indiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Putnam County, Indiana?

Arrest records are public documents in Putnam County, 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, are presumptively open to public inspection and copying. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records of arrests as public information that must be disclosed upon request, supporting the fundamental principles of governmental transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system.

Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or stated purpose, as the law does not require requestors to provide identification or explain their reason for seeking the information. However, certain portions of arrest records may be redacted if they contain confidential information as defined under IC § 5-14-3-4, such as investigative techniques, juvenile records, or information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department maintains these records as the primary law enforcement agency responsible for arrests within county jurisdiction, operating under statutory authority to make this information accessible to the public.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Putnam County?

Putnam County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Indiana County Jail Public Portal provides a centralized database where members of the public may search current inmate information, including arrest details, for individuals detained in Putnam County facilities. This digital accessibility aligns with Indiana's commitment to public information transparency as codified in IC § 5-14-3-3(d), which encourages government agencies to provide electronic access to public records when feasible.

The Indiana Courts Case Search system, commonly known as MyCase, offers another online resource where arrest information may be located through associated court cases. While this system primarily focuses on court proceedings, it often contains information regarding the underlying arrests that initiated criminal cases.

It should be noted that online records may not be comprehensive, as certain historical records may only be available in physical format at county offices. Additionally, pursuant to IC § 35-38-9, expunged records will not appear in online databases, as these records are removed from public access following court-ordered expungement.

How to Look Up Putnam County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain Putnam County arrest records. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility:

County Sheriff's Office: The Putnam County Sheriff's Department maintains the most comprehensive arrest records. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through their online portal.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department
13 Keightly Road
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-3211
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Putnam County Clerk's Office: The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of all criminal proceedings, including associated arrest information.

Putnam County Clerk's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-2648
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Indiana County Jail Public Portal: The state-maintained inmate database provides current information on individuals in custody, including arrest details.
Indiana Courts MyCase System: The state court records database contains case information that often includes arrest details for cases that proceeded to court.

Pursuant to IC § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and searching records. Current fee schedules include $0.10 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies. Record searches requiring more than two hours of staff time may incur additional research fees as permitted under state law.

Contents of a Putnam County Arrest Record

Putnam County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Indiana Code § 35-33-1-6, which mandates specific documentation for all arrests. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint data collected at time of booking
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Indiana Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest
Booking information including date, time, and facility
Bail or bond amount set, if applicable
Court appearance dates
Disposition information (if available)

It should be noted that pursuant to IC § 5-14-3-4(b)(8), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Medical information
Information related to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (unless specified exceptions apply under IC § 31-39-3)
Information that would compromise confidential sources

The Putnam County Courts maintain associated case records that may provide additional context regarding the legal proceedings following an arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Putnam County

Indiana law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Putnam County. The Indiana Second Chance Law (IC § 35-38-9) establishes a comprehensive framework for record expungement, with specific provisions addressing arrests that did not lead to conviction.

Under IC § 35-38-9-1, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction or juvenile adjudication
The charges were dropped or dismissed
The individual was acquitted of all charges
One year has elapsed since the date of arrest
No charges are currently pending against the petitioner
The petitioner has paid all fines, fees, and court costs

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Putnam County Circuit Court where the arrest record is maintained. Standard filing fees apply unless waived by the court due to indigency. Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in IC § 35-38-9-6.

For arrests resulting in convictions, different waiting periods apply based on the offense classification:

Misdemeanors: 5 years after completion of sentence
Class D/Level 6 felonies: 8 years after completion of sentence
More serious felonies: 8-10 years, with additional restrictions

The Putnam County Clerk's Office provides standardized petition forms and procedural guidance for individuals seeking expungement of arrest records.