St. Joseph County Court Records
What Is St. Joseph County Court Records
Court records in St. Joseph County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute a comprehensive repository of judicial activities as defined under Indiana Access to Public Records Act § 5-14-3. Court records typically include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.
Unlike other public records such as property deeds or vital statistics, court records specifically document judicial proceedings and decisions. The St. Joseph County court system maintains records across several jurisdictions:
- Circuit Court
- Superior Court
- Probate Court
- Small Claims Court
These courts collectively handle a wide spectrum of legal matters including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law cases, probate matters, and traffic violations. Each court maintains its own record-keeping system while adhering to state-mandated standards for documentation and preservation.
According to Indiana Code § 33-33-71, St. Joseph County's courts are authorized to create and maintain records of all proceedings that come before them. These records serve multiple purposes including documenting legal precedents, ensuring transparency in judicial processes, and providing historical documentation of legal matters within the county.
Are Court Records Public In St. Joseph County
Court records in St. Joseph County are generally accessible to the public pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act § 5-14-3 and the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records. The fundamental principle underlying public access is articulated in Rule 1 of the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, which establishes a presumption of openness to promote governmental accountability and public confidence in the judicial system.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Court calendars
However, certain records are excluded from public access under Rule 5 of the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records. These exclusions include:
- Records declared confidential by Indiana statute or court rule
- Addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of victims in criminal cases
- Social Security numbers
- Records related to grand jury proceedings
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records related to adoptions and mental health proceedings
- Settlement agreements declared confidential by court order
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (which includes St. Joseph County) are governed by federal access rules rather than state provisions. These records are accessible through the federal PACER system rather than county or state repositories.
How To Find Court Records in St. Joseph County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in St. Joseph County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county provides multiple pathways for record retrieval depending on the requester's specific needs and the type of record sought.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
St. Joseph County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main Street, Suite 205
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
St. Joseph County Clerk
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
The procedure for obtaining court records in person involves:
- Completing a public records request form available at the clerk's counter
- Providing case number information (if known) or names of parties involved
- Presenting valid photo identification
- Paying applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page for standard documents)
- Waiting for staff to retrieve the requested documents
For remote requests, individuals may:
- Submit requests via the Indiana Public Access Portal
- Mail written requests to the Clerk's Office with required information and payment
- Email requests to the designated records coordinator at the address provided on the county website
When submitting requests, individuals should include:
- Full name of party/parties involved in the case
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date of filing or court action
- Type of case (civil, criminal, family, etc.)
- Specific documents requested
- Contact information for response
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, the county must respond to requests within a reasonable time, typically within seven business days for standard requests. Complex requests may require additional processing time.
How To Look Up Court Records in St. Joseph County Online?
St. Joseph County provides digital access to court records through several online portals, each offering different types of information and search capabilities. The primary online resources for court record searches include:
-
myCase - The Indiana Courts Online Case Search serves as the comprehensive portal for accessing St. Joseph County court records. This system allows users to:
- Search by case number, party name, attorney, or business name
- View case summaries, chronological case summaries, and party information
- Access scheduled hearings and judgment information
- View certain filed documents (though not all documents are available electronically)
-
Odyssey Public Access - This supplemental system provides access to:
- Criminal and traffic cases
- Civil proceedings
- Family court matters
- Small claims filings
-
St. Joseph County Clerk's Records Portal - Available through the County Clerk's website, this resource offers:
- Marriage license records
- Voter registration verification
- Certain probate documents
To conduct an effective online search:
- Navigate to the appropriate portal based on the type of record needed
- Create a user account if required (some basic searches can be performed without registration)
- Select the appropriate search parameters (case number is most precise, but name searches are available)
- Enter the required information, being mindful of exact spelling
- Review search results and select the relevant case
- Navigate through available documents and information
Users should note that pursuant to Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, certain sensitive information is redacted from online records, and some documents may only be available for in-person inspection at the courthouse.
How To Search St. Joseph County Court Records for Free?
Indiana law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8(c), which states that "the right to inspect and copy public records under this chapter does not include the right to copy a record by mechanical means." This provision ensures that while viewing records is free, reproduction may incur costs.
St. Joseph County offers several no-cost options for accessing court records:
- In-Person Inspection: Visitors may examine physical court records at no charge at:
St. Joseph County Courthouse
101 S. Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
St. Joseph County Courts
- Free Online Resources:
- myCase Public Portal - Provides free basic case information searches
- Indiana Courts Online Docket Search - Offers free access to court calendars and basic case information
- St. Joseph County Clerk's Public Access Terminal - Available at the courthouse for comprehensive searches
When utilizing free search options, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Document downloads may incur fees even when searches are free
- Certain detailed information may only be available through paid services
- Historical records predating digital conversion may not be available online
- Some confidential or sealed records will not appear in public searches
For optimal results when conducting free searches, users should:
- Gather as much identifying information as possible before searching
- Be prepared to refine search parameters if initial results are too broad
- Utilize case numbers whenever available for most precise results
- Consider visiting the courthouse for access to records not available online
What's Included in a St. Joseph County Court Record?
Court records in St. Joseph County contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type. Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9(D), court records typically include the following components:
For Civil Cases:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Answers or responses from defendants
- Motions filed by either party
- Orders and rulings issued by the court
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Transcripts of hearings (when prepared)
- Final judgment or disposition
- Post-judgment motions and orders
- Appeal documentation (if applicable)
For Criminal Cases:
- Charging documents (indictment or information)
- Probable cause affidavits
- Arrest warrants and returns
- Bond information
- Pretrial motions and responses
- Discovery disclosures (limited)
- Plea agreements
- Trial exhibits and evidence logs
- Sentencing orders
- Probation reports (restricted access)
- Post-conviction relief petitions
For Family Court Matters:
- Petitions for dissolution of marriage
- Child custody and support determinations
- Parenting time orders
- Financial disclosure forms (restricted access)
- Guardian ad litem reports
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Adoption petitions and decrees
For Probate Proceedings:
- Wills and codicils
- Petitions for estate administration
- Inventories of estate assets
- Claims against estates
- Guardianship appointments
- Trust documents
- Final accountings and distributions
Each court record also contains a Chronological Case Summary (CCS), which serves as the official index of all proceedings and filings in a case, as required by Indiana Trial Rule 77(B). This document provides a sequential listing of all events in a case, including hearings, filings, and judicial actions.
How Long Does St. Joseph County Keep Court Records?
St. Joseph County adheres to the Indiana Records Retention Schedule for Courts and Clerk of Circuit Court as mandated by Indiana Administrative Rule 7. This schedule establishes minimum retention periods for various court documents based on case type and document significance.
Key retention periods include:
Permanent Retention:
- Circuit Court Order Books
- Judgment Dockets
- Complete case files for murder and Class A felony cases
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment records
- Probate estate files
- Guardianship records
- Civil Order Books
- Marriage records
- Naturalization records
Extended Retention (75+ years):
- Criminal case files for Class B, C, and D felonies (75 years)
- Juvenile delinquency records (75 years after final disposition)
- Paternity case files (75 years)
Medium-Term Retention (10-20 years):
- Misdemeanor case files (10 years after final disposition)
- Civil case files (20 years after final disposition)
- Small claims records (10 years after judgment satisfaction)
- Traffic infraction records (10 years)
Short-Term Retention (1-5 years):
- Dismissed cases (2 years after dismissal)
- Probable cause affidavits in non-filed cases (2 years)
- Court reporter notes and recordings (3 years after final disposition)
- Exhibits (3 years after final disposition unless returned)
According to Indiana Code § 34-28-5-15, records related to expunged cases must be destroyed or permanently sealed as specified in the expungement order. Additionally, Indiana Code § 31-39-8 provides for the destruction of certain juvenile records upon petition and court order.
For historical records beyond retention periods, the St. Joseph County Archives may maintain selected documents of historical significance. Researchers seeking historical court records should contact:
St. Joseph County Archives
101 S. Main Street, Basement Level
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9644
Types of Courts In St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County's judicial system comprises several courts with distinct jurisdictions and functions, operating within Indiana's unified court system. The following courts serve the county's legal needs:
St. Joseph Circuit Court
101 S. Main Street, 3rd Floor
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9551
St. Joseph Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases unless exclusive jurisdiction is conferred on another court. It handles major felonies, complex civil litigation, and serves as the juvenile court for the county.
St. Joseph Superior Court
101 S. Main Street, 2nd Floor
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
St. Joseph Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
The Superior Court is divided into specialized divisions:
- Civil Division (Rooms 1, 2, and 3)
- Criminal Division (Rooms 4, 5, and 6)
- Small Claims Division
- Traffic and Misdemeanor Division
St. Joseph Probate Court
1000 S. Michigan Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-5375
St. Joseph Probate Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
The Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, adoptions, and mental health commitments.
Mishawaka City Court
Mishawaka City Hall
600 E. 3rd Street
Mishawaka, IN 46544
574-258-1678
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
This court handles ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and certain misdemeanors occurring within Mishawaka city limits.
The court hierarchy in Indiana places these local courts under the appellate jurisdiction of:
- Indiana Court of Appeals (for most cases)
- Indiana Supreme Court (final state authority)
For federal matters, St. Joseph County falls within the jurisdiction of:
United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana
Robert A. Grant Federal Building
204 S. Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-246-8000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
What Types of Cases Do St. Joseph County Courts Hear?
St. Joseph County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions as established by Indiana Code § 33-33-71. The distribution of case types among the county's courts is as follows:
Circuit Court handles:
- Major felony criminal cases (Level 1-5 felonies)
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases
- Termination of Parental Rights
- Juvenile status offenses
- Complex civil litigation with unlimited monetary claims
- Civil tort cases and product liability claims
- Medical malpractice lawsuits
- Administrative appeals from government agencies
Superior Court adjudicates:
-
Civil Division:
- Contract disputes
- Property litigation
- Personal injury cases
- Collections matters
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Civil plenary cases
- Protective orders and restraining orders
-
Criminal Division:
- Level 6 felonies
- Class A, B, and C misdemeanors
- Criminal jury trials
- Preliminary hearings
- Bond hearings
- Probation violations
-
Small Claims Division:
- Civil disputes up to $10,000
- Landlord-tenant cases
- Consumer claims
- Minor contract disputes
-
Traffic and Misdemeanor Division:
- Traffic infractions
- Ordinance violations
- Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) cases
- Minor criminal offenses
Probate Court presides over:
- Estate administration
- Will contests
- Trust administration
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitments
- Name changes
- Specialized guardianship matters
Mishawaka City Court handles:
- City ordinance violations
- Traffic infractions occurring within city limits
- Class C misdemeanors
- Preliminary hearings for more serious offenses
According to the Indiana Judicial Service Report, St. Joseph County courts collectively process approximately 40,000 new case filings annually, with the Superior Court handling the largest volume of cases, particularly in its Traffic and Misdemeanor Division.
How To Find a Court Docket In St. Joseph County
Court dockets in St. Joseph County provide official schedules of proceedings and case listings. These documents are accessible through multiple channels depending on the requester's needs and the specific information sought.
For online docket access, individuals may utilize:
-
myCase Public Portal - The Indiana Courts Online Case Search provides comprehensive docket information for most St. Joseph County cases. Users can:
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- View upcoming court dates and times
- Access chronological case summaries
- Review judgment information
-
St. Joseph County Courts Calendar - Available through the St. Joseph County Courts website, this resource displays:
- Daily court schedules by courtroom
- Judge assignments
- Case types scheduled for hearing
For in-person docket access, individuals may visit:
St. Joseph County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main Street, Suite 205
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
St. Joseph County Clerk
The procedure for accessing dockets in person involves:
- Requesting docket information at the public service counter
- Providing the relevant date, courtroom, or case information
- Reviewing printed docket sheets or using public access terminals
For specialized docket information:
- Criminal Dockets: Contact the Criminal Division at 574-235-9538
- Civil Dockets: Contact the Civil Division at 574-235-9635
- Probate Dockets: Contact the Probate Court at 574-235-5375
- Juvenile Dockets: Contact the Juvenile Justice Center at 574-235-5347
Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9, court dockets are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order. However, certain case types (such as juvenile matters, mental health proceedings, and adoptions) may have restricted docket access.
Which Courts in St. Joseph County Are Not Courts of Record?
In the Indiana judicial system, a "court of record" is defined by Indiana Code § 33-23-1-4 as a court that is required to create and maintain official documentation of all proceedings, with such records having evidentiary value and being subject to appellate review. Conversely, courts not of record typically handle minor matters with simplified procedures and do not maintain comprehensive transcripts or detailed documentation of proceedings.
Within St. Joseph County, the following court operates as a court not of record:
Mishawaka City Court
Mishawaka City Hall
600 E. 3rd Street
Mishawaka, IN 46544
574-258-1678
As established by Indiana Code § 33-35-5-1, city courts like Mishawaka City Court are not courts of record. This designation carries several important implications:
- Proceedings are not typically recorded verbatim
- Appeals from this court proceed to the St. Joseph Superior Court as trials de novo (new trials) rather than reviews of the record
- Simplified procedures apply to case processing
- Judges are not required to be attorneys under state law
The Mishawaka City Court primarily handles:
- City ordinance violations
- Traffic infractions
- Class C misdemeanors
- Initial hearings for more serious offenses
All other courts in St. Joseph County—including the Circuit Court, Superior Court, and Probate Court—are courts of record as defined by Indiana Code § 33-33-71. These courts maintain complete records of all proceedings, employ court reporters to create verbatim transcripts when required, and their decisions are subject to appellate review based on the official record created during proceedings.
Lookup Court Records in St. Joseph County
Indiana Judicial Branch: St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County Court System