Elkhart County Public Records /Elkhart County Criminal Records

Elkhart County Criminal Records

What Is Elkhart County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Elkhart County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, which governs public records in the state.

Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas, establishing that an individual has been found legally responsible for a criminal offense.
Court Records: Documentation of all court proceedings related to criminal cases, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and sentencing.

The classification of offenses significantly impacts how records are maintained and accessed:

Felonies: More serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more, maintained permanently in most cases.
Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
Infractions: Minor violations that usually result in fines rather than jail time.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Elkhart County:

Elkhart County Sheriff's Office
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
574-891-2100
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office

Elkhart County Courts
315 S. 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-523-2305
Indiana Judicial Branch: Elkhart County

Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office
301 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-296-1888
Elkhart County Prosecutor

It is important to note that juvenile records are generally sealed under Indiana Code § 31-39-8-2 and subject to different access restrictions than adult records. Additionally, active warrants and ongoing investigations may have limited public accessibility to protect the integrity of law enforcement operations.

Are Criminal Records Public In Elkhart County

Criminal records in Elkhart County are generally considered public information under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The Act states: "A public agency may not deny or interfere with the exercise of the right stated in subsection (a). The public agency shall either provide the requested copies to the person making the request or allow the person to make copies on the agency's equipment or on the person's own equipment."

Public criminal records in Elkhart County typically include:

Court proceedings and case files for adult offenders
Conviction records
Sentencing information
Incarceration records
Sex offender registry information
Booking information and mugshots

However, several important exceptions limit public access to certain criminal records:

Juvenile Records: Under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2, juvenile records are confidential and not available to the general public except in specific circumstances.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible to the public.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily restricted.
Grand Jury Proceedings: These remain confidential under Indiana law.
Certain Personal Information: Social Security numbers, medical information, and other sensitive personal data are typically redacted from public records.

The Elkhart County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of court records, while the Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and incarceration records. Both agencies must comply with state public records laws while balancing privacy concerns and statutory exemptions.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Elkhart County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Elkhart County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple systems for record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing various types of criminal justice information.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Elkhart County Clerk's Office
101 N. Main Street, Room 104
Goshen, IN 46526
574-535-6430
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Elkhart County Clerk

The procedure for obtaining criminal records in person typically involves:

Completing a public records request form with the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
Presenting valid government-issued photo identification
Paying applicable search and copy fees (currently $5.00 for record searches plus $1.00 per page for copies)
Waiting for staff to retrieve the requested information

For written requests, individuals should:

Submit a detailed written request to the appropriate agency (Clerk's Office for court records, Sheriff's Office for arrest records)
Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of case/incident
Provide contact information and specify preferred delivery method
Enclose payment for applicable fees

The Indiana Public Access Counselor recommends using the state's standardized public records request form to ensure all necessary information is included.

For criminal background checks that include statewide information, individuals may contact:

Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N302
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-8263
Indiana State Police - Limited Criminal History Search

Requestors should note that comprehensive criminal history information may require searches in multiple jurisdictions, as Elkhart County records only contain information about crimes committed within county boundaries.

How To Find Criminal Records in Elkhart County Online?

Elkhart County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records online, offering convenience and efficiency for those seeking public information. These electronic resources vary in scope and functionality.

The primary online resources for criminal records in Elkhart County include:

Indiana myCase Portal - This statewide system provides access to court cases, including criminal proceedings in Elkhart County. Users can search by name, case number, or attorney. The portal displays case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. Access is available at mycase.in.gov.
Elkhart County Jail Inmate Lookup - The Indiana County Jail Public Portal allows users to search current inmates in the Elkhart County Corrections facility. This resource provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and expected release dates for individuals currently incarcerated.
Indiana Courts Online Docket Search - This system provides access to court calendars and scheduled hearings for all Elkhart County courts through the Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records portal.
Indiana Department of Correction Offender Search - For information on individuals sentenced to state prison, the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search provides custody status, location, and projected release dates.
Elkhart County Sheriff's Active Warrants - The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of active warrants that can be searched by name.

When utilizing these online resources, users should note:

Most systems require basic information such as first and last name for searches
Date of birth or middle initial significantly improves search accuracy
Case numbers provide the most precise search results when available
Some systems may have a slight delay in updating information
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records
Registration may be required for some services, though basic searches are typically available without an account

For more comprehensive criminal history information, the ISP: Criminal History Services provides statewide background checks for a fee. These reports include felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests throughout Indiana.

Can You Search Elkhart County Criminal Records for Free?

Pursuant to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3-8), members of the public are entitled to inspect many criminal records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Elkhart County offers several no-cost options for accessing criminal justice information.

Free in-person inspection is available at:

Elkhart County Courthouse
315 S. 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-523-2305
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Elkhart County Public Safety Building
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
574-891-2100
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

When visiting these locations, individuals may:

Review public court files at computer terminals
Examine daily court calendars
View booking logs and jail rosters
Access sex offender registry information

Free online resources include:

myCase Portal - This statewide system provides basic case information at no cost, including criminal charges, hearing dates, and case dispositions. The system is accessible at mycase.in.gov.
Elkhart County Jail Inmate Lookup - Current inmate information is freely available through the Indiana County Jail Public Portal.
Court Calendars - Daily court schedules are published online at no cost through the Indiana Judicial Branch: Elkhart County website.
Sex Offender Registry - Information about registered sex offenders residing in Elkhart County is available without charge through the Indiana Sheriff's Sex Offender Registry.

While basic searches are free, users should be aware of potential fees for:

Printed copies ($1.00 per page)
Certified documents ($5.00 per document)
Comprehensive background checks ($15.00 through Indiana State Police)
Expedited processing
Research assistance for complex requests

The county clerk's office can provide a current fee schedule for all record-related services upon request.

What's Included in a Elkhart County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Elkhart County contain standardized information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with Indiana Administrative Code Title 210, which establishes record-keeping standards for courts throughout the state.

A typical Elkhart County criminal record contains:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Initial charges filed
Bail or bond information
Pre-trial detention status

Court Case Information:

Case number and court of jurisdiction
Filing date and prosecutor information
Formal charges and applicable statutes
Classification of offenses (felony class A-F or misdemeanor class A-C)
Defense attorney information
Hearing dates and proceedings
Plea information

Disposition and Sentencing:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment programs
Post-conviction proceedings
Appeal information

Additional Elements:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Veterans Court)
Probation/parole status and violations
Completion of sentence or current status

Criminal records may also include supplementary documentation such as probable cause affidavits, witness statements, evidence inventories, and pre-sentence investigation reports, though access to these documents may be restricted based on their sensitivity and relevance to ongoing proceedings.

How Long Does Elkhart County Keep Criminal Records?

Elkhart County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Indiana Archives and Records Administration under Indiana Code § 5-15-5.1-5. These schedules dictate how long various criminal justice documents must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.

The retention periods for common criminal record components are:

Felony Case Files:

Murder and Class A felony cases: Permanent retention
Class B, C, D, and Level 1-6 felonies: 20 years after final disposition
Appeals and post-conviction relief records: 3 years after final ruling

Misdemeanor Case Files:

Class A misdemeanors: 10 years after final disposition
Class B and C misdemeanors: 5 years after final disposition
Traffic misdemeanors: 10 years after final disposition

Arrest Records:

Arrest reports: 10 years from date of arrest
Booking information: 10 years from date of booking
Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention (forwarded to state repository)
Mugshots: 10 years from date of booking

Court Proceedings:

Court calendars and dockets: 3 years
Hearing transcripts: Same as corresponding case file
Exhibits: Returned after appeals period or maintained with case file
Grand jury proceedings: Permanent retention

Probation and Parole:

Probation records: 10 years after discharge from probation
Pre-sentence investigation reports: 10 years after completion of sentence

Specialized Records:

Protective orders: 5 years after expiration
Sex offender registry information: Lifetime for certain offenses, otherwise 10 years after completion of registration requirement
Juvenile records: Until subject reaches 21 years of age, unless ordered sealed earlier

It is important to note that while physical documents may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices and basic case information are often maintained indefinitely in court management systems. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be preserved longer than their paper counterparts.

The Elkhart County Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records and implements these retention schedules in accordance with state law and local court rules.

Lookup Criminal Records in Elkhart County

Indiana Judicial Branch: Elkhart County

Indiana County Jail Public Portal

Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records

Indiana State Police - Limited Criminal History Search

ISP: Criminal History Services

Indiana Incarcerated Database Search