St. Joseph County Criminal Records

What Is St. Joseph County Criminal Records

Criminal records in St. Joseph County are official documents that chronicle 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 encompass several distinct categories:

• Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
• Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, establishing that an individual has been found legally responsible for a criminal offense.
• Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more in state prison facilities.
• Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year in county jail or other penalties.
• Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by individuals under 18 years of age. These records are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under Indiana Code § 31-39-8-1.
• Warrant Information: Records of active warrants for arrest, as well as historical warrant information.

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in St. Joseph County:

St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office
401 W. Sample St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9611
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office

St. Joseph County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
St. Joseph County Clerk

St. Joseph County Courts
101 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9551
St. Joseph County Courts

Indiana State Police
100 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-8241
Indiana State Police

A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. The specific content varies based on the nature and progression of each case through the criminal justice system.

Are Criminal Records Public In St. Joseph County

Criminal records in St. Joseph County are generally considered public information under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This statute establishes that "all records of public agencies are public records and are to be available to the public in accordance with this chapter," with certain exceptions.

The public status of criminal records varies by category:

Publicly Accessible Records:

• Adult arrest records
• Court proceedings and case files for adults
• Conviction records
• Sentencing information
• Incarceration records
• Sex offender registry information
• Probation and parole status

Restricted or Limited Access Records:

• Active criminal investigations
• Grand jury proceedings
• Sealed or expunged records
• Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
• Records sealed by court order
• Certain personal identifying information

Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(1) specifically states that "investigatory records of law enforcement agencies" may be excepted from disclosure at the discretion of the public agency. However, certain basic information about arrests must be made available under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-5, including:

• The name of the person arrested
• The alleged crime
• The time and location of the arrest
• The arresting agency
• The booking location

The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office maintains court records that document criminal proceedings from filing through disposition. These records are accessible to the public through both in-person requests and online portals, though certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with state law and court rules.

Members of the public should be aware that while criminal records are generally accessible, the Indiana Supreme Court has established rules regarding bulk access and commercial use of court records through Administrative Rule 9, which governs access to court records.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Joseph County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in St. Joseph County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:

In-Person Requests:

1. Visit the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office during regular business hours:

St. Joseph County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
St. Joseph County Clerk

2. Complete a public records request form, providing:

   • The subject's full name
   • Date of birth (if known)
   • Case number (if known)
   • Approximate date of incident or court proceeding
   • Type of record requested

3. Present valid government-issued photo identification.

4. Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $1.00 per page for standard copies, $5.00 for certified copies).

Mail Requests:

1. Submit a written request to the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office including:
   • Requestor's contact information
   • Subject's identifying information
   • Specific records requested
   • Self-addressed stamped envelope
   • Payment for applicable fees (check or money order)

Criminal History Reports:

For comprehensive criminal history information:

1. Submit a request to the Indiana State Police through their Limited Criminal History portal.

Indiana State Police Records Division
100 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-8241
Indiana State Police Criminal History Services

2. Provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and other identifying information.

3. Pay the required fee (currently $16.32 for a limited criminal history).

4. For certified records, submit Form 8053 in person or by mail.

For Court Records:

1. Contact the specific court where the case was heard:

St. Joseph County Circuit Court
101 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9551
St. Joseph County Courts

2. Provide the case number if available, or the defendant's name and approximate case date.

3. Pay applicable fees for copies of court documents.

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, public 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.

How To Find Criminal Records in St. Joseph County Online?

St. Joseph County residents and interested parties may access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by county and state agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

myCase - Indiana's Online Court Records Portal:

The primary resource for accessing St. Joseph County court records online is the myCase system, maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch.

1. Navigate to myCase
2. Select "St. Joseph County" from the county dropdown menu
3. Search by:
   • Case number
   • Party name (last name, first name)
   • Citation number
   • Attorney bar number
4. Review search results showing:
   • Case numbers
   • Filing dates
   • Case types
   • Party names
   • Case status
5. Select individual cases to view:
   • Charges filed
   • Hearing dates
   • Court orders
   • Judgment information
   • Financial information

No registration is required for basic searches, though attorneys and parties to cases may register for enhanced access.

St. Joseph County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup:

For current incarceration information:

1. Visit the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department website
2. Navigate to the "Inmate Lookup" section
3. Search by name or booking number
4. View current inmates, charges, and booking information

Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History:

For official criminal history reports:

1. Access the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History portal
2. Create an account or log in
3. Enter subject information
4. Pay the required fee ($16.32)
5. Receive PDF results (valid for 14 days)

Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry:

For sex offender registration information:

1. Visit the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry
2. Search by name, address, or county
3. View registration details, offenses, and compliance status

Users should note that while many records are available online, certain documents may only be accessible through in-person requests due to confidentiality restrictions or technical limitations. Additionally, some online systems may require registration or payment of fees for full access to records.

Can You Search St. Joseph County Criminal Records for Free?

St. Joseph County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, though certain comprehensive searches and official copies do require fees. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8) establishes guidelines for fees that may be charged for record searches and copies.

Free In-Person Record Inspection:

The law permits individuals to inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours at:

St. Joseph County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9635
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
St. Joseph County Clerk

St. Joseph County Courts
101 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-9551
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
St. Joseph County Courts

While inspection is free, standard copying fees apply for physical copies ($1.00 per page, $5.00 for certified copies).

Free Online Resources:

Several online portals provide free access to basic criminal record information:

1. myCase - Indiana's court records portal offers free basic searches of court cases, including criminal matters. Users can access case summaries, chronological case summaries, and party information at no cost through myCase.

2. St. Joseph County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup - Provides free access to current jail population information, including inmate names, booking dates, and charges.

3. Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry - Offers free public access to information about registered sex offenders residing in St. Joseph County.

4. Indiana Supreme Court Case Search - Provides free access to appellate case information for cases that have been appealed beyond the trial court level.

Services Requiring Payment:

Certain comprehensive criminal history searches require payment:

1. Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History - The official state criminal history report costs $16.32 per search through the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search portal.

2. Certified Court Records - While basic inspection is free, certified copies of court documents require payment of certification fees.

3. Background Check Services - Third-party vendors offering comprehensive background checks charge varying fees for their services.

The distinction between free and fee-based services generally relates to the comprehensiveness, certification, and convenience of the information provided. Basic case information is typically available at no cost, while official documents, certified copies, and comprehensive reports require payment of established fees.

What's Included in a St. Joseph County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in St. Joseph County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the nature and progression of each case, but typically includes several categories of information as outlined below:

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and any known aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Mugshot/booking photograph
• Last known address
• State Identification (SID) number
• FBI number (if applicable)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Booking number
• Initial charges filed
• Bail/bond amount and status
• Detention facility information
• Arresting officer's name and badge number

Court Case Information:

• Court case number
• Court of jurisdiction (Circuit, Superior, or City Court)
• Filing date
• Formal charges filed with statutory citations
• Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor class)
• Plea information
• Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
• Judge assigned to the case
• Hearing dates and outcomes

Case Disposition:

• Verdict or plea outcome
• Conviction date (if applicable)
• Sentencing information:
  • Incarceration terms
  • Probation conditions
  • Fines and court costs
  • Restitution orders
  • Community service requirements
  • Treatment program mandates
• Appeal information (if applicable)
• Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

• Active warrants
• Protective or restraining orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• Habitual offender status
• DUI/OWI history
• Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
• Pending charges in other jurisdictions
• Prior criminal history references

Criminal records maintained by the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office are organized according to the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure and local court rules. The chronological case summary (CCS) serves as the official record of all case proceedings and is maintained in accordance with Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which governs access to court records.

Law enforcement agencies maintain separate records systems that may contain additional investigative information not included in court records. Access to these investigative records may be restricted under exemptions provided in Indiana's Access to Public Records Act.

How Long Does St. Joseph County Keep Criminal Records?

St. Joseph County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records and codified in Indiana Administrative Rule 7. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records, after which records may be archived or destroyed according to established procedures.

Court Records Retention:

• Felony Case Files: Maintained permanently for Murder (Class A felonies) and Level 1-2 felonies. Other felony cases are retained for 20 years after final disposition.

• Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 10 years after final disposition.

• Traffic Violations: Retained for 10 years for criminal traffic offenses (such as DUI/OWI); 3 years for infractions.

• Probation Records: Maintained for 10 years after probation completion or termination.

• Court Orders and Judgments: Permanently retained as part of the official court record.

• Chronological Case Summaries (CCS): Permanently retained as the official record of all case proceedings.

Law Enforcement Records Retention:

• Arrest Records: Maintained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of arrest.

• Investigative Files: Retained for 10 years after case closure for misdemeanors; 20 years for felonies; permanently for homicides and sexual offenses.

• Booking Information: Retained for 10 years from the date of booking.

• Fingerprint Cards: Permanently maintained by the Indiana State Police central repository.

• Mugshot Photographs: Retained for 10 years from the date of booking.

Record Expungement:

Indiana Code § 35-38-9 provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain criminal records. When records are expunged pursuant to court order, they are either sealed from public view or physically destroyed, depending on the offense category. Expungement does not necessarily mean complete destruction of all records, as certain agencies may retain sealed records for limited purposes.

The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office and courts comply with expungement orders by:

1. Removing expunged cases from public access
2. Sealing physical records
3. Restricting electronic access
4. Notifying relevant agencies of expungement orders

Records that have been expunged are not available through standard public records searches, though they may be accessible to law enforcement agencies under certain circumstances as provided by statute.

The retention of criminal records serves multiple purposes, including documentation of criminal justice proceedings, protection of public safety, and maintenance of historical information. The balance between these purposes and individual privacy rights is reflected in the retention schedules and expungement provisions established by Indiana law.

Lookup Criminal Records in St. Joseph County

St. Joseph County Clerk's Office

St. Joseph County Courts

Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search

Indiana State Police Criminal History Services