Indiana Arrest Records: How to Find Arrest Records in Indiana

The state of Indiana was admitted to the United States in 1816. It is the 17th most populous state, with a population of over 6.6 million people. 

Indiana is the 38th largest state, with a total territory size of 36,418 square miles.

The collection of public records was first created in Indiana in 1808, and these records include information collected from the 92 counties of the state. 

Public records, including arrest records, are considered public documents under Code 5-14-3 of the Indiana Access to Public Record Act (APRA). 
 

Indiana arrest records are generated following the apprehension of a person on suspicion of violating the state's Criminal Law and Procedure Act. 

Interested members of the public can apply or request details of such arrests from the arresting agency or any other body. 

While an Indiana arrest record is evidence of a subject's apprehension, it is not definitive proof of their guilt or conviction. 

Therefore, law enforcement agencies can also limit access to Indiana arrest records under certain circumstances, such as when it is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. 

How to Perform an Indiana Arrest Records Search

If you want to perform an Indiana arrest records search, you can use one of the resources that we will discuss. 

That way, you can find arrest records Indiana files, and find out more about your arrest history, and other people’s arrest history. 

You can also use online resources to find arrest records Indiana files and other records. Websites such as backgroundcheck.co provide a detailed account of a person’s criminal records, including their arrest records. 

They also provide access to other public records, such as birth records, marriage records, contact information, data about relatives, and more. 

Non-Disclosable Arrest Records in Indiana

In Indiana, law enforcement agencies are mandated to inform the public whether an arrest record is disclosable or non-disclosable. 

This is because, while access to arrest records is generally provided under the APRA, access to some Indiana arrest records may be restricted under the provisions of Indiana Code 35-38-8-1, Code 35-38-7-1, through Code 35-38-5-5.5, and federal exemption laws. 

Some of the non-disclosable Indiana arrest records include:

* Arrest records of non-sexual or non-violent offenses 
* Arrest records of persons convicted of charges that were later vacated
* Arrest records of persons apprehended for crimes but later dismissed 
* Arrest records that led to no felony charges 
* Arrest records that led to class D felony convictions or Class A misdemeanors provided no one was injured during the commission of the offense.
* Arrests that result in the offenders not being charged for the crime for which they were arrested
* Arrest records relating to situations where the offender was charged but was later acquitted of every charge 
* Juvenile arrest records 

How to Find Indiana Arrest Records

Persons looking for Indiana arrest records can employ any of the following techniques:

The Limited Criminal History (LCH) Portal

Arrest records of misdemeanors and felonies can be obtained via the Indiana Limited Criminal History (LCH) search portal. 

The Indiana State Police maintain the portal, and searches can be conducted by providing the race, gender, date of birth, and name of the subject or offender. 

In some circumstances, you might be required to provide the subject's place of birth and Social Security Number. 

In addition, the applicant will be required to pay a fee charged per record received. These fees or charges can be paid by credit card at $16.32 per search or through a subscription at $15 per record. 

Alternatively, applicants can submit an LCH request form for a subject's LCH reports. 

The application form, alongside a money order or check, addressed to the State of Indiana, can be presented by mail or in person at:

Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check,
P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
LCH reports are used to get an offender's local arrest record for felony or misdemeanor offenses. 

A subject's national or state criminal history report can only be obtained through a subpoena or by the offender themselves. 

The Indiana Department of State Revenue

Another agency where Indiana arrest records can be found in the Indiana Department of State Revenue. 

The DSR manages and responds to public records applications, court orders, subpoenas, and other applications for disclosure of information under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA). 

Access to records held by the DOR can be made using a subpoena, mandating the agency's staff to produce documents relevant to a legal issue. 

The DOR can reject or cancel such applications, especially where it relates to confidential information. 

A subpoena form can be obtained at any local court in the state. 

The applicant will be required to fill out the form and submit it by email using [email protected] or through mail at:

Indiana Department of Revenue
Legal Division, MS 102
N. Senate Avenue, Room N248
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2243
Fax: Legal Division – Legal Services section
(317) 233-6489

Juvenile arrest records are not accessible to members of the public. However, where a juvenile is alleged to have committed an offense as an adult, such arrest records can be accessible to the public. 

Local Police Departments and County Sheriff's Offices

You can find Indiana arrest records at the local police department or county sheriff's office. 

The bodies maintain records of arrests occurring within their respective jurisdictions. 

Applications can be made in person by physically visiting the office, by phone, or by mail. 

You will be required to fill out a form provided by a clerk, including your name, address, and phone number. 

You might also be required to include the subject's details, such as their full name, age, and social security number. 

Each search is provided at a fee determined by the agency, and payment can be made using a credit card, U.S checks, or money order. 

Conclusion 

Indiana arrest records are publicly available documents accessible to residents of the state. 

These records form a part of a subject's criminal history and can be obtained using any of the above techniques!