Clark County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clark County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Clark County, Indiana, may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as ClarkCountyRecords.org. Criminal record data maintained by county and state agencies may include, but is not limited to, the following categories:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Sentencing and probation records
- Active warrants and protective orders
- Sex offender registration entries
- Traffic violation adjudications
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which members of the public may obtain criminal record information in Clark County.
1. County Court Records: The Clark County Circuit and Superior Courts maintain case files for all criminal proceedings heard within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Clark County Clerk's Office, located at the Clark County Judicial Center. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service searches.
Clark County Clerk's Office
501 E Court Avenue, Suite 137
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: (812) 285-6244
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
2. Sheriff's Office: The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Clark County Sheriff's Office
501 E Court Avenue
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: (812) 282-0282
Clark County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search: The Indiana Office of Judicial Administration operates MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, a statewide public portal that allows users to search criminal case records by name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case status, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Sealed, expunged, and certain juvenile records do not appear in MyCase results.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The Indiana State Police (ISP) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Members of the public may request a name-based or fingerprint-based background check through the ISP's online portal. Fingerprint-based checks are required for certified background checks used in employment or licensing contexts. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Indiana State Police – Criminal History Information
Indiana Government Center North
100 N Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-8266
Indiana State Police Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for court records to the Clark County Clerk's Office at 501 E Court Avenue, Suite 137, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate date or case number of the record sought. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Clark County Criminal Records
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. Under Indiana law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final sentencing and any subsequent supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant for access purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses and carry greater collateral consequences. Misdemeanor records document lesser offenses but remain part of the public record unless expunged.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Juvenile records are confidential under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for arrest and are maintained by the issuing court and the Sheriff's Office. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Clark County include the Clark County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Clark County Circuit and Superior Courts (case files and dispositions), the Indiana State Police Criminal History Repository (statewide conviction data), and local municipal police departments. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of court proceedings, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. The Clark County Indiana Judicial Branch page provides contact information for local courts. A criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Clark County
Criminal records in Clark County are subject to public disclosure under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq. The Act establishes a presumption of openness for government records, including court filings and law enforcement records related to adult criminal proceedings.
As the Indiana Public Access Counselor has stated, "Indiana's Access to Public Records Act reflects the policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees."
Records that are subject to public access include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing documents, and booking information. However, certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure or subject to restricted access:
- Sealed court records, pursuant to court order
- Expunged records, which are restricted under Indiana Code § 35-38-9
- Juvenile records, which are confidential by statute
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through Indiana's state public records framework. The Indiana Judicial Branch's public records guidance provides additional detail on which court records are available and how to request them.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clark County Online?
Official County Resources: The primary online resource for Clark County court records is MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, operated by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case type, filing date, charges, hearing schedules, and dispositions for criminal cases heard in Clark County courts. No registration is required for basic public searches. The Clark County Clerk's Office also maintains records accessible through the Judicial Center's public terminals.
State-Level Resources: The Indiana State Police provides a statewide criminal history background check system accessible through the ISP portal. The Indiana Judicial Branch's MyCase system covers all participating Indiana courts, providing a statewide search capability for court case records.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies report to the same system
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public online searches
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic case management systems may not be digitized. Online searches do not constitute an official certified background check and are not a substitute for a formal criminal history request through the Indiana State Police.
Can You Search Clark County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: Indiana law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, agencies must allow inspection of non-exempt public records during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply for physical reproductions. In-person inspection is available at the Clark County Clerk's Office and at public access terminals within the Clark County Judicial Center.
2. Free Online Databases: The following resources are available at no cost:
- MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search — free public access to court case records statewide
- Indiana State Police Sex Offender Registry — free public search
- Clark County Clerk's Office public terminals — free in-person access
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest logs that may be available for public inspection. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about the availability of daily arrest reports.
What Costs Money:
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $1.00 per page (standard Indiana rate) |
| Official state background check (name-based) | $16.32 (Indiana State Police) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $28.00+ (Indiana State Police) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Varies |
Fee schedules are subject to change and members of the public should confirm current rates directly with the relevant agency prior to submitting a request.
What's Included in a Clark County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information: A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page outlines which court documents are accessible to the public.
Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements: A complete criminal record may also include active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, traffic violation records, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records:
- Juvenile adjudication records (confidential by statute)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Criminal records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note: Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may petition the maintaining agency or the court for correction. Inaccurate records can have significant consequences for employment, housing, and licensing, and the correction process varies by agency and record type.
How Long Does Clark County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements: Indiana's record retention schedules, established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county and state agencies.
Retention by Record Type:
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the Indiana State Police
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently by courts; may be eligible for expungement after applicable waiting periods under Indiana Code § 35-38-9
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; eligible for expungement under Indiana law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Records of the proceedings are retained permanently but reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by Indiana Code § 31-39-9
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the case
Agency Differences:
- County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Indiana judicial retention rules
- The Clark County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the Indiana Commission on Public Records schedule
- The Indiana State Police retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, but the electronic version remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, restricts the record from public view and limits its use in most civil proceedings, though law enforcement agencies retain access to expunged records for official purposes.
Old Records Access: Records predating electronic case management systems may require special requests and could be held in physical archives at the Clark County Judicial Center or the Indiana State Archives.
Even if county agencies destroy physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are subject to separate retention and access rules independent of Indiana state law.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on an individual's record and appear in background checks indefinitely unless expunged. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven to ten years for specific purposes. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.