>Starke County Arrest Records Online

Starke County, Indiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Starke County, Indiana?

Arrest records are public in Starke County, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including documentation of arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act affirms the fundamental philosophy that providing persons with information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officials.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may obtain them from various county agencies that maintain such documentation. The Starke County Sheriff's Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records for the unincorporated areas of the county, while municipal police departments maintain records for arrests within their jurisdictions. These records are subject to disclosure under state law, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or juvenile matters as specified in Indiana Code § 31-39-3.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Starke County?

Arrest records can be found online in Starke County through several official digital platforms. The Starke County Sheriff's Department maintains an electronic database of recent arrests and inmate information that is accessible to the public via their official website. This online accessibility represents the county's implementation of Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(d), which encourages governmental agencies to provide electronic access to public records when feasible.

The Starke County Clerk's Office also provides digital access to court records related to arrests through their case management system. Pursuant to Administrative Rule 9 of the Indiana Rules of Court, these records are generally available for public inspection unless specifically sealed or restricted by court order. The online availability of these records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on county offices.

Additionally, the Indiana Judicial Branch maintains a statewide case management system that includes Starke County arrest and court records. This system allows for remote access to public case information, including arrest details, charges filed, and case dispositions, in accordance with the Indiana Supreme Court's commitment to transparency in judicial proceedings.

How to Look Up Starke County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Starke County arrest records, individuals may utilize multiple authorized channels established by county and state authorities. The following methods are available for accessing these public records:

Online Database Access: The public may search digitized arrest records through the Starke County Sheriff's Department website, which maintains current booking information and recent arrest data. Additionally, the Indiana Court Records portal provides searchable access to court cases resulting from arrests.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Starke County Sheriff's Department to submit formal requests for arrest records. The department is located at:

Starke County Sheriff's Department
5435 E State Road 10
Knox, IN 46534
(574) 772-3771
Official Website

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Clerk of Courts Office: The Starke County Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings. Requests may be submitted at:

Starke County Clerk's Office
53 E Washington Street
Knox, IN 46534
(574) 772-9160
Official Website

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(a), individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the appropriate record custodian. Requests must reasonably describe the records being sought and may be subject to copying fees as established by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8.

All requests for arrest records must comply with the provisions set forth in the Indiana Public Records Access guidelines, which establish procedures for identifying records, payment of applicable fees, and timeframes for agency responses.

Contents of a Starke County Arrest Record

Starke County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Indiana Code § 35-33-7 and administrative policies established by the Starke County Sheriff's Department. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known identifiers
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated agency
Detailed booking information including processing date, time, and facility
Enumeration of all charges filed, including citation of applicable Indiana Code sections
Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony) and degree (e.g., Level 6 Felony)
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers collected during booking
Bond information including type, amount, and status
Custody status and housing assignment if detained
Court case numbers associated with the arrest
Initial hearing date as scheduled on the Magistrate's Calendar

These records are maintained in accordance with Indiana's records retention schedules as established by the Commission on Public Records. The Starke County Recorder's Office serves as the official repository for county records and ensures compliance with state archival requirements.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Starke County

Indiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Starke County under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9, individuals may petition the Starke County Circuit Court for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements. The expungement process effectively seals arrest records from public access, though certain governmental agencies may retain limited access for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Starke County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Arrests where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Arrests that resulted in convictions, after specified waiting periods based on offense severity
Completion of all terms of sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of fines
Absence of pending criminal charges
Fulfillment of restitution obligations to victims

The expungement petition must be filed with the Starke County Circuit Court, located at:

Starke County Circuit Court
53 E Washington Street
Knox, IN 46534
(574) 772-9160
Official Website

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The court reviews each petition in accordance with Indiana Code § 35-38-9-9 to determine if the statutory requirements have been met. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all custodians of the relevant records to seal them from public access. The Indiana State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and certain other agencies may retain access to expunged records for limited purposes as specified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9-6.