West Lafayette Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in West Lafayette, Indiana?
Arrest records are public in West Lafayette, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, must be available 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 safety awareness, and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Members of the public may access these records through designated channels established by local authorities.
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act specifically addresses arrest records in § 5-14-3-5, which mandates that law enforcement agencies shall maintain daily logs or records that list suspected crimes, accidents, or complaints. These records must be made available for inspection and copying within 24 hours after the incident has been reported, except in cases where disclosure would endanger an individual or jeopardize an investigation.
How to Look Up West Lafayette Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in West Lafayette as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:
West Lafayette Police Department: Citizens may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating relevant records.
West Lafayette Police Department
711 W Navajo Street
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 775-5200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTippecanoe County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within its jurisdiction, including West Lafayette.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office
2640 Duncan Road
Lafayette, IN 47904
(765) 423-9388
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMTippecanoe County Clerk's Office: The Clerk maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office
301 Main Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
(765) 423-9326
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMOnline Access: The county provides online court records through the Odyssey Case Management system, which includes information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, citizens may submit written requests for arrest records. These requests must reasonably describe the records being sought and may be submitted via mail or email to the appropriate agency.
Contents of a West Lafayette Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by West Lafayette law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information regarding the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address, and identification numbers (such as driver's license or state ID)
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; circumstances leading to the arrest; and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Criminal Charges: All charges filed at the time of arrest, including the specific Indiana Code sections alleged to have been violated
Booking Information: Fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), personal property inventory, and medical screening results
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, release conditions, or detention orders
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including court dates, hearing outcomes, and final disposition if available
Agency Information: Identification of all law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest and subsequent processing
It should be noted that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise an ongoing investigation.
Expungement of Arrest Records in West Lafayette
Indiana law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in West Lafayette and throughout the state. The Indiana Second Chance Law (Indiana Code § 35-38-9) establishes the legal framework for expungement proceedings.
Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on several factors:
For arrests that did not lead to conviction, petitions may be filed one year after the date of arrest.
For misdemeanor convictions, petitions may be filed five years after the date of conviction.
For non-violent felony convictions, petitions may be filed eight years after the completion of the sentence.
For certain violent felonies, petitions may be filed ten years after the completion of the sentence, subject to prosecutorial consent.
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the West Lafayette City Court or the Tippecanoe County Circuit Court, depending on which court handled the original case. The petition must include:
- The petitioner's full name and all other legal names used
- The petitioner's date of birth and Social Security number
- All addresses from the date of the offense to the date of the petition
- The case number or court cause number, if available
- The date of arrest and the law enforcement agency that made the arrest
- The specific conviction(s) to be expunged
- The date of conviction
- The sentence imposed and whether it was completed
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the prosecutor's office. If the court grants the expungement, the records will be sealed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in Indiana Code § 35-38-9-6.
Tippecanoe County Circuit Court
301 Main Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
(765) 423-9326
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
West Lafayette City Court
222 N. Chauncey Avenue
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 775-5200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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