Vanderburgh County, Indiana Arrest Records
Vanderburgh County arrest records are details from official law enforcement documents that identify arrested individuals and provide the reasons and conditions for their detention. Arrest records are primarily maintained and created by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. This office is primarily responsible for arrests within the county and maintains the Vanderburgh County Jail, where arrested individuals are detained.
Arrest records are publicly accessible through this agency. However, they are not useful for proof of the detainee’s guilt because arrest records are limited to details of arrests and allegations. They do not contain information about convictions or sentencing, unlike criminal records, which provide an individual’s complete history of crimes. There are also other law enforcement agencies that contribute to the county’s arrest records, such as the Evansville Police Department. This agency serves Evansville, which is the most populous city in Vanderburgh County. While they maintain their arrest records, detainees are generally transferred to the county jail for booking and processing.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Vanderburgh, Indiana?
Yes, Vanderburgh County arrest records can be accessed and obtained by the public according to Indiana’s Public Records Act (Indiana Code §5-14-3). This law dictates that government agencies must make their record accessible to the public, excluding sensitive or sealed information. Anyone can request to inspect arrest records through the courts or the sheriff’s office. This can be done in person, over the phone, or online, using the available inmate roster.
According to Indiana laws, public agencies must respond to records requests as soon as possible and must provide a written response to the requester within 7 working days if the records cannot be produced immediately. A written response within the same time period must also be sent to the requester to provide a timeframe for producing the records or for denial of the request with specific legal reasons. Government agencies may charge fees for copying records, which must not exceed $0.10 per page. Individuals who are denied access to records can file an action in the Circuit or Superior Court of Vanderburgh County.
What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?
Vanderburgh County arrest records contain basic facts about the arrest situation and the detainee, which can be made publicly available. They contain information that can be used to identify a detainee, locate the detainee, and track their welfare throughout their detention period.
Some of these may include:
- Name and any known nicknames or aliases of the arrestee
- The date, location, and time of the arrest
- Bail or bond details
- Court information for arraignment
- Mugshots
- The arresting officer’s details
- Information about the arresting or investigating agency
- Booking number and date
- The arrestee’s physical description
According to Indiana Code 5-14-3-4, there are sensitive details that are restricted from public access. These details include victim information from sexual assault or domestic violence cases, juvenile records, information from ongoing investigations, personally identifiable information, and details about confidential informants or undercover agents. Medical records, details about child neglect or abuse, and sealed or expunged records are also removed from all public archives.
Vanderburgh County, Indiana Arrest Search
Vanderburgh County arrest records can be found in law enforcement archives. Members of the public can search the records archives of agencies like the Indiana State Police, Indiana Courts, and the Indiana Department of Corrections in person. These agencies maintain arrest information from all counties within Indiana, including Vanderburgh County.
The Department of Corrections provides access to records of felony offenders who are or were incarcerated. This includes their arrest information. The public can access these records in person or using the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search website. The courts also maintain a MyCase website, which provides searchable access to statewide court records. These can be searched for arraignment records, which usually provide arrest information. The Indiana State Police maintains the state’s Criminal History Records, which also contain arrest information. This agency also provides a Limited Criminal History Request Service, which allows the public access to basic parts of criminal records
Vanderburgh County Inmate Locator
Vanderburgh County inmates are housed at the Vanderburgh County Jail, which is managed by the Sheriff’s Office. Thus, locating an inmate can be done using resources provided by the sheriff’s office. Residents in the county can go to the sheriff’s office to submit a request for arrest records in person, which is the fastest method. Telephone requests are also available through the jail’s main line at 812-421-6200 or 812-421-6201. The sheriff’s office has a records division that may also be able to help, which can be reached at 812-421-6276.
Locating inmates online has been made easy through the Inmate Lookup website. This platform provides access to an updated list of current inmates with a search bar at the top of the page. Requesters can search for an inmate by name or use the last name filter on the page. Individuals who prefer in-person requests can access the sheriff’s office at:
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
3500 N. Harlan Avenue
Evansville, Indiana 47711
812-421-6200 - Phone
812-421-6276 - Records Division
Active Warrant Search in Vanderburgh County
An arrest warrant refers to the legal document used by law enforcement agencies to execute lawful arrests. This document is issued by a judge of the Superior or Circuit Court with a directive to peace officers to detain a named individual for court appearance. They usually contain details like the name and description of the suspect, the alleged offenses, the judge’s signature, as well as the bail amount if applicable. Arrest warrants are issued after the court finds probable cause through reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution or law enforcement officers. After being issued, they will remain active indefinitely. Warrants can be canceled after the suspect dies or the document is recalled by the court.
In Vanderburgh County, arrest warrants may be temporarily restricted to protect law enforcement operations or public safety in certain situations. However, they are considered public records according to the Indiana Public Records Act. The sheriff's office and the courts maintain records of warrant information, which can be accessed in person or over the phone. Members of the public can inquire about active warrants in person at the relevant agency or by providing a written public records request.
Vanderburgh County does not maintain an online warrant database. Thus, an individual who cannot visit the court or sheriff’s office in person can inquire over the phone by calling 912-421-6200 or 812042106276 for the sheriff’s office or 812-435-5195 for the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.
|
Agency / Resource |
Purpose |
Search Methods |
Notes |
|
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office |
Maintains arrest records and serves warrants |
Phone: (812) 421-6200; In-person; Written request |
24/7 jail inquiries available |
|
Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Clerk |
Maintains court records and warrant information |
Phone: (812) 435-5195; In-person at the courthouse |
Handles felony cases |
|
Indiana State Police |
Maintains statewide criminal history records |
Phone: (812) 867-2079; |
Evansville District office within the county |
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Vanderburgh County
Free access to Vanderburgh County arrest records is available through the sheriff’s office or the county jail. The courts may also provide some case documents containing arrest records for inspection at no charge. The public can approach the relevant law enforcement agency to request inmate information in person for free. This usually involves basic searches. Members of the public can also access arrest records over the phone by calling the sheriff’s office at 812-421-6200 or 812-421-6276 for the Records Division.
Requesters who have internet access can use the county’s Inmate Lookup website, which provides free access to an updated inmate roster. This platform also has a search option using the detainee’s name. Vanderburgh County court records containing arrest details can be accessed online through the MyCase platform for free. These platforms do not require requesters to provide an ID, and some information about the detainee must be provided for a search. Any records that are redacted or sealed will not be available on these public archives.
Vanderburgh County Arrest Report
An arrest report refers to the arresting officer’s first-hand account of how the arrest was executed. This is a document written by the arresting or investigating officer that contains the observations made during the arrest. This includes the evidence found, the probable cause of the arrest, events leading up to the arrest, and any statements made by the detainee or witnesses. The report is limited to all details about how the suspect was arrested, which makes it unsuitable for proof of guilt. This is similar to arrest records, which are also limited to booking details and basic facts about an arrest.
Arrest records refer to information about a detainee and the reasons for the detention. This includes details like the alleged charges, the investigating authority, the offender’s name, and court appearance information. Arrest records are suitable for identifying an inmate and staying updated with their detention status. While they are both public records, arrest reports are usually restricted until investigations or the case is concluded. This is aimed at protecting the integrity of the investigation and may be pursuant to a court order.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Vanderburgh County
Expungement of arrest records is available to qualified individuals according to Indiana Code §35-38-9. This process involves the removal of arrest records from all public archives. Individuals who have expunged an arrest in Vanderburgh County can claim the arrest never happened. Expungement can be done when these eligibility requirements are met:
- There was an acquittal, dismissal of charges
- If the charges were not filed, the arrest can be expunged after 180 days
- For a vacation of conviction, the record can be expunged as soon as the conviction is vacated
- If there was a conviction, there is a waiting period of between 5 and 15 years, depending on the offense type.
Automatic expungement applies to cases closed without a conviction after July 1, 2022. The court will order an automatic expungement, which must be effected within 60 days of the acquittal or dismissal of charges. The expungement process begins with confirming if you are eligible, after which you will complete an expungement petition, which can be obtained from the County Clerk of Court’s Office or online. File the petition with the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court and pay all required fees. The court will review the petition, and there will be a hearing if necessary. After the review, the judge may grant an order of expungement, which will be served on all relevant government agencies.
How Do You Remove Vanderburgh County Arrest Records From the Internet?
You can remove Vanderburgh County arrest records from the internet using your order of expungement. You can apply for this order through the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court after meeting the requirements. When the order is granted by the court, it is served on all relevant law enforcement and archiving agencies to effect the removal from all public platforms.