St. Joseph County, Indiana Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in St. Joseph County, Indiana?
Arrest records in St. Joseph County, Indiana are public documents 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, shall be accessible for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public oversight of governmental activities, and maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system through public accountability.
Members of the public may access these records through designated governmental agencies within St. Joseph County. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act stipulates that public agencies must provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours and respond to requests within specified timeframes as outlined in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as information that would compromise an ongoing investigation or violate privacy protections established under state or federal law.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in St. Joseph County?
St. Joseph County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(d), which encourages electronic access to public records, St. Joseph County has implemented digital systems to facilitate public access to arrest information.
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department maintains an online database that provides information regarding recent arrests and inmate status. Additionally, the Indiana Judicial Branch offers mycase.in.gov, a statewide portal that allows users to search court cases, including those stemming from arrests in St. Joseph County.
Online access is subject to the following provisions:
- Records available online may not contain all information available in physical records due to privacy considerations outlined in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4
- Some online systems may require user registration or impose nominal fees for certain searches or document retrieval
- Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are generally not available online pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2
- Expunged records are removed from online databases in accordance with Indiana Code § 35-38-9
How to Look Up St. Joseph County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining St. Joseph County arrest records in 2025. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, public agencies must provide reasonable access to public records during regular business hours.
The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department Records Division
401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9611
St. Joseph County Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMSt. Joseph County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
St. Joseph County Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMSt. Joseph County Archives & Records Center
112 S. Lafayette Boulevard
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9644
Archives & Records Center
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PMOnline Court Records Portal
The Indiana Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive database of court records, including those related to arrests, accessible through Indiana Judicial Branch: St. Joseph County
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if available. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, copying, and certifying records.
Contents of a St. Joseph County Arrest Record
St. Joseph County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Indiana law enforcement protocols and Indiana Code § 35-33-1-1.5. These official documents typically include the following categories of information:
Biographical Information
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- Gender and race (for identification purposes only)
Arrest Details
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed at time of arrest
- Booking number and processing information
- Warrant information, if applicable
Case Processing Information
- Court case number
- Initial hearing date
- Bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Biometric Data
- Fingerprint classification
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Identification numbers (state ID, FBI number if applicable)
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(1), certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Joseph County
Indiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9. The expungement process in St. Joseph County is administered through the St. Joseph County Circuit and Superior Courts.
Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on case disposition and offense severity:
- Arrests not resulting in charges or where charges were dismissed may be eligible for expungement after one year pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1
- Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after five years from completion of sentence pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9-2
- Less serious felony convictions may be eligible after eight years from completion of sentence pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9-3
- More serious felonies have longer waiting periods or may be ineligible as specified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9-4 and § 35-38-9-5
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the St. Joseph County Circuit or Superior Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must use standardized forms provided by the Indiana Supreme Court and may be required to attend a hearing. Filing fees may apply, though fee waivers are available for indigent petitioners.
Upon granting of an expungement order, records are either sealed or marked as expunged in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions. Expunged records are not accessible to the general public but may remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as permitted by statute.
St. Joseph County Circuit Court
101 S. Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9551
St. Joseph County Courts
Search Arrest Records in St. Joseph County
