Clark County Arrest Records

When law enforcement agents have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed or is about to commit a crime, they make an arrest. Probable cause is established by evidence that goes beyond an assumption or suspicion. Probable cause occurs when an officer witnesses a crime or has reliable information or proof. It also applies when an officer receives witness testimonies or victim testimony, discovers illicit drugs in the suspect's possession, or notices signs that the individual is driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records in Clark County, Indiana. They also serve as the primary law enforcement agency for Clark County. In line with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Title 5, Article 14, Chapter 3 of the Indiana Code) grants access to Public Records in the state. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 states that the public can view and copy public Records. However, the act limits public access to certain Clark County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Clark County?

Arrest records in Clark County are public. Clark County complies with the state of Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA). Every public record in the county is available to citizens upon request in line with the law. However, criminal investigation records and intelligence information records are not public records. Specific information about arrests, such as the time, date, location, and nature of the violation, as well as the name, sex, age, address, employment, and alleged violation of law by a person arrested, charged, or indicted, is considered public information.

The following types of information are exempt from public disclosure:

• Information that might jeopardize the safety of individuals.
• Personal details, including Social Security numbers and medical details.
• Details concerning current investigations or court proceedings that may hinder the legal procedure.
• Information on confidential informants or witnesses assisting law enforcement efforts.
• Information that might make it harder for law enforcement to do their duties effectively.
• Juvenile arrest records are often kept confidential.

Any individuals who seek access to exempted records must secure a court order.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records provide details about individuals arrested for committing offenses. The records include information about the individuals, including their names, dates of birth, and physical descriptions. They also detail the charges against them, outstanding warrants or probation holds they are subject to, the location of the arrest, and information about the arresting officer.

Clark County Crime Rate

According to a 2019 report by the FBI on Clark County Crime Statistics, there were 11 violent crimes recorded within the county. There were nine incidents of aggravated assault and two rape offenses. There were no reported cases of robberies, murders, and manslaughter. That year, there were 32 property crimes involving three burglaries, 22 larceny thefts, and seven motor vehicle thefts.

Clark County Arrest Statistics

In 2021, Clark County correctional facilities handled 57,754 bookings, with an average daily population of 2,954 inmates. The average duration of detention for inmates was 18.7 days, with an average daily release of 158.3.

Find Clark County Arrest Records

Since law enforcement agencies make the most arrests within the county, individuals can contact the records unit of the agency that made the arrest to find an arrest record. Each office has procedures and fees for requesting records, but they generally accept in-person, mail-in, and electronic inquiries. To find arrest records, the requesters must provide the following information: the arrestee's first and last name, date of birth, and the date and location of the arrest. They are also required to provide a government-issued ID.

In addition, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office provides a portal, VINELink, to search for information about arrests within the county. There is also a State Registry where requesters can search for arrest records. They can search using parameters like the offender’s first and last names. In addition, the Indiana Department of Corrections has an online searchable portal where inmate records can be obtained. To access the records on the portal, requesters can use search parameters such as the arrestee’s full name or ID number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Clark County

The Indiana Public Records Act allows Clark County residents to access arrest and other public records. Individuals should identify the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest to search for arrest records. To facilitate their request, they should indicate the arrest's date, time, and location. The lookup is free. However, fees are attached if the individual wants to make a copy. In addition, the local police departments and law enforcement agencies make adult arrest information available to the public. These are subject to retention schedules; therefore, the availability of specific records depends on the retention schedule for that type of record.

Third-party records databases aggregate arrest records from various government sources. Most of these services are free. However, should an individual require a detailed report, this comes at a charge.

Get Clark County Criminal Records

Criminal records depict an individual's contacts with the criminal justice system. This comprises dispositions, charges, arrests, and sentences. Criminal records are kept at the federal, state, and local levels. Requesters should begin the search at the County Sheriff's office. The sheriff's department provides local criminal history information for county arrest records for a fee. Only the subject of the record, parties with the individual's permission, and approved agencies who need it for official use are permitted to access this information.

Clark County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

"Arrest record" and "criminal record" are commonly used interchangeably to indicate official records of an individual's criminal history. However, there is a difference between the two.

A criminal record, or criminal history record, details a person's experience in the criminal justice system, from arrest to conviction. It includes input from various criminal justice departments, including municipal and state police, court systems, prosecutor's offices, penitentiary institutions, and probation departments. The Department of Justice maintains this master file.

On the other hand, an arrest record is a less thorough document kept by the police department that arrested the suspect. It contains information about the arrestee, the event, and the arrest's outcome. However, it does not include the court decision or other criminal information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Clark County, arrest records remain on record indefinitely. These records are typically kept unless they are officially expunged or sealed. When an individual is arrested and charged, their criminal record is updated during the arraignment. The case's outcome is uncertain until the trial. Even if the accused is later exonerated or the accusations are dropped, the arrest record reflects the original charges.

Expunge Clark County Arrest Records

Individuals with questionable arrest records often face considerable barriers to employment, housing, professional licensing, credit ratings, and insurance. This can continue a cycle of hardship and socioeconomic disadvantage for the individual trying to move on and lead a normal life after past mistakes.

Fortunately, the legal system affords measures such as record sealing and expungement. Record sealing limits public access to criminal records while providing restricted access to select approved bodies, such as professional licensure boards. When a court accepts a petition for record sealing, the individual's criminal record is hidden from the public eye. However, sealed records are not completely deleted and can still be viewed under certain conditions stipulated by law.

Expunged records are effectively permanently erased from court records. Only certain types of records can be erased. Generally, the charge must have been dismissed, acquitted, or adjudication withheld. If a person is found guilty of the offense, they will most likely be disqualified. Juvenile offenses may or may not qualify, depending on the offense's nature and the proceedings' outcome.

Some individuals may be able to clean their criminal record if:

• They were arrested but not prosecuted.
• The prosecution dropped the charges against them, or the judge dismissed them.
• They were acquitted at trial.

Not all offenses qualify for sealing or expungement. Individuals who pleaded guilty or were found guilty at trial are ineligible for record sealing or expungement. Certain crimes, such as sex offenses, domestic violence, drug trafficking, public officer offenses, and major felonies like arson, burglary, robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, kidnapping, manslaughter, and murder, cannot be expunged from an individual's record.

Clark County Arrest Warrants

In Clark County, Indiana, an arrest warrant is a court order issued by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause. This order, issued under Indiana Code 35-33-2-1, commands law enforcement officials to apprehend and bring the designated individual to court to face a criminal charge. Failure to comply with such a warrant may be deemed contempt of court.

Law enforcement must gather substantiating evidence demonstrating probable cause to get an arrest warrant. This evidence bundle is then given to a prosecution attorney for review. The prosecutor evaluates the evidence's sufficiency based on legal standards. If the prosecutor determines that the probable cause standard has been satisfied, they submit a formal complaint or affidavit to the court, requesting the issuing of an arrest warrant. The presiding judge then evaluates the provided information. If the judge decides that probable cause has been satisfactorily proved, he or she will issue the warrant. After being issued, the warrant is entered into law enforcement information systems. Then, law enforcement may make the arrest.

An arrest warrant generally contains the following information:

• The name of the court which issued the warrant.
• The name of the defendant.
• Their physical description includes height, weight, hair color, eye color, and other distinguishing characteristics.
• The crime charged against the person.
• The official issue date of the warrant
• The signature of the judge who issued the warrant.
• The bail amount

Clark County Arrest Warrant Search

In Clark County, Indiana, there are many ways to determine whether an individual has an outstanding warrant. The Clark County Sheriff's Office keeps track of individuals with active warrants. This list is published on their official website under the 'Warrants' section. Individuals may also go to the Sheriff's Office to ask about current warrants. Government-issued identification may be needed.

The Clark County Clerk's Office may also hold records of ongoing warrants, which can be seen in person at the Clark County Courthouse. The Clark County Sheriff's Office also has a search tool on its website, where anyone may look for current warrants by name.

Do Clark County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Clark County, Indiana, remain active indefinitely. The wanted individual remains wanted until they turn themselves in, a court recalls or quashes the order, dismissing the charges associated with the warrant, or the individual named in the warrant is deceased.