Evansville Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Evansville, Indiana?
Arrest records are public in Evansville, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This legislation establishes that all government records, unless specifically exempted by statute, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The maintenance of public arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public safety awareness, and upholding the principle of open government.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office and Evansville Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain such records through established protocols, subject to applicable fees as determined by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in compliance with privacy provisions outlined in state statutes.
How to Look Up Evansville Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County maintain multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Evansville Police Department Records Division, located at 15 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Evansville, IN 47708. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Written requests may be directed to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 3500 N. Harlan Ave., Evansville, IN 47711. All written requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific details regarding the records being sought.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the Evansville government document center, which provides a centralized portal for public records access.
Telephone inquiries may be directed to the Records Division at (812) 436-7956, though written follow-up may be required for formal record requests.
All requests must comply with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, which requires sufficient particularity to enable the custodian of records to identify and locate the requested materials. Processing times vary based on request volume and complexity, with standard processing typically completed within seven business days as prescribed by state law.
Contents of an Evansville Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Evansville law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as mandated by Indiana Code § 35-33-7 and local ordinances. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Subject identification information, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical descriptors, and residential address at time of arrest
- Incident details, including date, time, and location of the alleged offense and subsequent arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of charges filed against the individual
- Case identification numbers and booking information
- Arresting agency information and identification of arresting officers
- Detention facility information where the subject was initially held
- Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers collected during processing
- Initial appearance information, including preliminary hearing dates and bail determinations
- Disposition information, if available, regarding the resolution of charges
It should be noted that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(8), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Evansville
Indiana law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Evansville and throughout the state. The expungement process is governed by Indiana Code § 35-38-9, which establishes distinct categories of expungement based on offense severity, case disposition, and time elapsed.
Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court or Superior Court, located at:
Vanderburgh County Courts Building
825 Sycamore Street
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 435-5160
Evansville Municipal Court Information
The statutory waiting periods for expungement eligibility are as follows:
- One year from the date of arrest for cases resulting in no charges filed or charges dismissed
- Five years from the date of conviction for most misdemeanor offenses
- Eight years from the date of conviction for certain felonies reduced to misdemeanors
- Eight to ten years from the date of conviction for less serious felonies
- Ten or more years from the date of conviction for more serious felonies
The court may grant expungement when the petitioner has satisfied all statutory requirements, including completion of sentence, payment of all fines and restitution, and maintenance of a clean criminal record during the applicable waiting period. Upon granting expungement, the court shall order all arresting agencies to seal or restrict access to the relevant records in accordance with the provisions of Indiana Code § 35-38-9-6.
It should be noted that certain serious offenses, including most violent felonies and sex offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under Indiana law.
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