Elkhart County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Elkhart County
Arrest records in Elkhart County are considered public information under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This statute establishes that records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement entities, are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties. Pursuant to state law, these records are available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours. However, it is important to note that while arrest records are public, they document only that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under American jurisprudence, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted from public access in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which outlines specific exceptions to disclosure. These exceptions may include investigatory records that could interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings, endanger individuals, or compromise fair trial rights.
The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document the apprehension of an individual suspected of committing a crime, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of the charged offense. Both types of records are maintained by different agencies within Elkhart County's criminal justice system.
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
574-891-2100
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office
What's in Elkhart County Arrest Records
Elkhart County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Home address
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Circumstances leading to arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute numbers of alleged violations
- Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date of issuance
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking number
- Date and time of booking
- Processing officer information
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond status (posted or not posted)
- Release conditions
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned to case
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Housing location if incarcerated
- Release date if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation or parole status
- Risk assessment scores
- Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)
- Emergency contact information
The content of arrest records is governed by Indiana Code § 35-33-7, which establishes requirements for documentation following an arrest.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Elkhart County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Elkhart County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for obtaining these public records:
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Visit the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office in person:
- Complete a public records request form at the records division
- Provide specific information about the record being requested (name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $5.00 per record)
-
Submit a written request by mail:
- Include a detailed description of the records being sought
- Provide contact information for response
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Include payment for applicable fees
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Contact the Elkhart County Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests:
- Request criminal case files that may contain arrest information
- Specify case numbers if known
- Pay applicable copy fees
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Access the Indiana Jail Management System:
- Search for current inmates by name
- View booking information and charges
- Check custody status and release dates
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Request records from the arresting agency:
- Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest
- Contact that agency's records division directly
- Follow their specific request procedures
Pursuant to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, agencies must respond to requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed seven days for in-person requests or seven business days for mailed requests. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and certification of records.
Elkhart County Clerk's Office
101 North Main Street, Room 104
Goshen, IN 46526
574-535-6430
Elkhart County Clerk
How To Find Elkhart County Arrest Records Online
Elkhart County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records through official online platforms. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests:
The Indiana Jail Management System serves as the primary online resource for current inmate information in Elkhart County. This database allows users to:
- Search by an individual's first and last name
- Filter results by county (select Elkhart County)
- View booking information, charges, and custody status
- Access information about bond amounts and court dates
For court records related to arrests, the Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) system provides comprehensive access to:
- Criminal case information following arrests
- Court dates and hearing schedules
- Case dispositions and sentencing information
- Document summaries filed in criminal proceedings
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office website offers:
- A current inmate roster
- Information about recent arrests
- Links to other criminal justice resources
- Forms for requesting additional records not available online
For historical arrest records or detailed reports not available through these online systems, users must submit formal requests through the methods outlined in the previous section.
When using online systems, users should note:
- Information is typically updated daily but may not reflect real-time changes
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from online records
- Older records may not be available through digital platforms
- Technical limitations may occasionally affect system availability
The Indiana Judicial Branch's Elkhart County page provides additional resources and links to court services related to criminal cases.
How To Search Elkhart County Arrest Records for Free?
Residents and interested parties may access Elkhart County arrest records without payment through several no-cost options provided by local and state government agencies:
The Indiana Jail Management System offers free public access to current inmate information, including:
- Names of individuals currently in custody
- Booking dates and times
- Charges filed
- Bond information
- Expected release dates
- Facility location information
The Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) system provides free access to:
- Criminal case records
- Court calendars
- Case status updates
- Judgment information
- Upcoming court dates
In-person inspection of public records is available at no charge at the following locations:
- Elkhart County Sheriff's Office Records Division (viewing only; copies incur fees)
- Elkhart County Clerk's Office (viewing only; copies incur fees)
- Elkhart County Public Libraries (public computer access to online resources)
The Indiana Department of Correction Offender Search provides free information about:
- Individuals who have been transferred to state custody
- Conviction information
- Sentencing details
- Current location within the state correctional system
When utilizing these free resources, requestors should note:
- While viewing records is free, obtaining physical copies typically involves fees
- Some records may require formal written requests
- Certain information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions
- High-volume requests may be subject to special procedures
Elkhart County Public Library - Main Branch
300 S. Second Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-522-5669
Elkhart County Public Library
How To Delete Arrest Records in Elkhart County
Indiana law provides specific mechanisms for the restriction of arrest record access through expungement or sealing processes. These legal remedies are governed by the Indiana Code § 35-38-9, commonly known as the Second Chance Law.
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Expungement: The legal process that removes arrest records from public view and, in some cases, physically destroys records
- Sealing: The process that restricts public access to records while maintaining them for limited official use
Eligibility for expungement in Elkhart County varies based on several factors:
- Cases resulting in no charges or dismissed charges may be expunged one year after arrest or dismissal
- Misdemeanor convictions may be expunged five years after completion of the sentence
- Minor felonies converted to misdemeanors may be expunged five years after completion of the sentence
- Less serious felonies may be expunged eight years after completion of the sentence
- Serious felonies may be expunged ten years after completion of the sentence with prosecutorial consent
- Certain violent offenses and sex crimes are ineligible for expungement
The expungement process in Elkhart County requires:
- Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Elkhart County Circuit or Superior Court
- Paying applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
- Serving the petition on the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office
- Attending a hearing if scheduled by the court
- Obtaining a court order granting expungement
- Distributing the order to relevant agencies maintaining records
Following successful expungement:
- Arrest records are removed from public access
- The individual may legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense
- Employers, housing providers, and licensing boards cannot discriminate based on expunged records
- Records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes
Elkhart County Superior Court
315 S. Second Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-523-2305
Elkhart County Courts
What Happens After Arrest in Elkhart County?
Following an arrest in Elkhart County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Indiana state law and local court procedures:
Initial Custody and Booking: The process begins with transportation to the Elkhart County Correctional Facility where the arrestee undergoes:
- Identification verification
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Initial risk assessment
- Booking into the jail management system
Initial Hearing: Within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), arrestees appear before a judicial officer for:
- Formal notification of charges
- Review of probable cause for detention
- Appointment of counsel if indigent
- Initial bail determination
- Advisement of constitutional rights
- Setting of future court dates
Pretrial Release Considerations: The court determines whether the defendant may be released pending trial based on:
- Nature and severity of charges
- Criminal history
- Community ties
- Flight risk assessment
- Public safety concerns
- Ability to post bond
Formal Charging: The Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office reviews the case and determines whether to:
- File formal charges
- Modify the initial charges
- Decline prosecution
- Refer for diversion programs
Preliminary Proceedings: Cases proceed through several preliminary stages:
- Initial hearing
- Pretrial conferences
- Discovery exchanges
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
Case Resolution: Cases typically conclude through:
- Guilty plea pursuant to agreement
- Trial by judge or jury
- Dismissal of charges
- Diversion program completion
- Deferred prosecution
Sentencing (if convicted): The court imposes penalties that may include:
- Incarceration in county jail or state prison
- Probation supervision
- Community service
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution to victims
- Treatment programs
Throughout this process, defendants maintain constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, the right to a speedy trial, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office
301 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-296-1888
Elkhart County Prosecutor
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Elkhart County?
Arrest records in Elkhart County are maintained according to retention schedules established by Indiana Code § 5-15-5.1-12 and the Indiana Commission on Public Records. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various categories of law enforcement and court records.
Under current Indiana records retention requirements:
- Arrest reports and booking information must be retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of arrest
- Fingerprint cards and identification photographs are maintained permanently in state and federal databases
- Investigative reports related to arrests must be kept for a minimum of 5 years after case closure
- Jail records documenting custody must be retained for 10 years after release
- Court records related to criminal cases are typically maintained for 20 years after case disposition
- Records of serious felony cases (murder, rape, etc.) are preserved permanently
Different agencies within Elkhart County's criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:
- The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest reports, booking information, and jail records
- The Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office preserves case files and charging documents
- The Elkhart County Clerk maintains official court records and case dispositions
- The Indiana State Police maintain the central repository for criminal history information
Records retention serves several important public purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential appeals or post-conviction proceedings
- Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Ensures accountability of law enforcement and judicial systems
- Provides statistical data for policy analysis and resource allocation
- Supports historical research and analysis of criminal justice trends
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration provides oversight of records retention compliance through its County Records Management program.
How to Find Mugshots in Elkhart County
What Mugshots Are Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographic records taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images serve as visual identification records within the criminal justice system and typically include front-facing and profile views of the arrested individual.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Elkhart County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:
- The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- The Elkhart County Jail's booking system
- The Indiana State Police central records repository
- Electronic records management systems used by local law enforcement agencies
Finding Mugshots Members of the public seeking access to booking photographs in Elkhart County must follow established procedures:
- Submit a formal public records request to the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office
- Provide specific identifying information about the subject (full name, date of birth, approximate arrest date)
- Explain the purpose for requesting the photograph
- Pay applicable reproduction fees (currently $5.00 per photograph)
Can They Be Found Online Limited booking photograph information may be available through:
- The Indiana Jail Management System, which may display current inmate photographs
- The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office website, which may post recent booking information
- Third-party websites that aggregate public records (though these are not official sources)
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of booking photographs must be requested through:
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office Records Division
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
574-891-2100
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Access to booking photographs may be limited under certain circumstances:
- Photographs of juvenile arrestees are generally not public records
- Images related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily restricted
- Photographs of individuals whose records have been expunged are not accessible
- Special victim protections may apply in certain sensitive cases
- Commercial use restrictions may apply under Indiana law
Requestors should note that while mugshots document an arrest, they do not indicate guilt, and all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.