Fulton County Arrest Records

In Fulton County, law enforcement officers are authorized to make an arrest when they have probable cause to believe that an individual committed or is about to commit a crime. Fulton County arrest records are official documents created by law enforcement agencies when an arrest is made.

Arrests may be carried out with or without a warrant. For instance, if an officer witnesses a crime in progress, they can make a warrantless arrest. Arrest records in Fulton County are generated by the local law enforcement agencies that make the arrests. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency. Other local police departments such as the Rochester Police Department, Akron Police Department, Fulton Police Department, and the Kewanna Police Department.

Individuals arrested in Fulton County are typically detained at the Fulton County Detention Center in Rochester pending bail, further investigation, or arraignment before a judge. These records serve as introductory documents for criminal case trials, forming an integral part of the larger Fulton County court records, particularly when a trial is about to begin.

Are Arrest Records Public in Fulton County?

Yes, arrest records are generally considered public in Fulton County. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, the public may access Fulton County arrest records and other official documents in the custody of publicly funded agencies.

However, there are exemptions to public access to some Fulton County arrest records. The public cannot scrutinize arrest records relating to:

• Juvenile records
• Sealed or expunged records
• Ongoing judicial or law enforcement
• Records that may reveal the identities of victims or witnesses
• Records that may expose confidential informants

Access to exempted arrest records is limited to the record owner, a parent or legal guardian, or an authorized government entity. For inquiries about arrest records, record seekers may contact the office of the Fulton County sheriff at:

Fulton County Sheriff's Office
2006 Sweetgum Rd,
Rochester, IN 46975
Phone: (574) 223-2819

Fulton County Arrest Statistics

According to arrest statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Data Explorer (CDE), Fulton County law enforcement agencies recorded 2,048 arrests in 2024. Of this number, 1,464 arrestees were male, while 584 were female. The offenses accounting for the highest number of arrests were drug/narcotic offenses, driving under the influence, and simple assault.

Find Fulton County Arrest Records

Record seekers may search for Fulton County arrest records either online or offline. They may send an mail or an in-person request to the court where the case was addressed. To obtain arrest information from court records, record seekers must provide relevant search information, such as the party's name and the document's identifying number. Also, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office maintains a live, searchable roster on its website.

Additionally, Indiana's MyCase portal offers an online database of court records, where record seekers can find Fulton County records. They may also locate inmate records through the Incarcerated Search page provided by the Indiana Department of Corrections. They may search using the individual’s name or Department of Corrections (DOC) number.

Fulton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although Fulton County arrests and criminal records are law enforcement documents, they are distinct from each other. The differences become evident from the perspectives of their creation, use, and content.

Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-5, law enforcement agencies in Fulton County create arrest records and maintain registers that document individuals in their custody, the circumstances of the arrest, and the bail conditions. The courts also generate arrest records when cases are prosecuted. These records detail sentencing, convictions, and incarcerations. They also include information about parole and probation.

Fulton County arrest records are used for the initial stages of criminal case prosecutions in the county's courts. On the other hand, Fulton County criminal records are used to link suspects to a crime. They are also used to build cases and determine charges, and recommend appropriate sentences for offenders. They are also useful during background checks for employment or license issuance. They are used for tracking and rehabilitation of criminals.

Fulton County arrest records contain information about the arrest event, such as the personal details of arrestees, charges, processing, bail, and bond information. Criminal records contain arrest records and information about criminal case prosecutions, convictions, sentencing, and incarceration.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An arrest record may remain on record indefinitely unless the individual takes legal steps to remove it. As stipulated by Indiana Code § 35-38-9, also known as the Second Chance Law, eligible individuals may have their records sealed or expunged. However, not all types of arrests are eligible for expungement.

Fulton County Arrest Warrants

Fulton County Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate commanding law enforcement officers to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime. A warrant may be issued when an indictment is filed, and the suspect is not in custody. Or when an individual fails to appear in court for a hearing, or when there is proof that an individual poses security risks.

Fulton County arrest warrants typically contain the following information:

• The suspect's personal details, such as name and physical description
• Statement of probable cause
• Charges against the individual
• Instructions or recommendations to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant
• Name and signature of the issuing judge
• Bail or bond information (if applicable)

Do Fulton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Fulton County arrest warrants do not automatically go away with the passage of time. Once duly issued, they remain active until law enforcement takes the individual into custody or the individual voluntarily surrenders. However, the issuing judge may recall or revoke the warrant if fresh evidence proves the accused is innocent. The most prudent course of action for an individual with an outstanding warrant is to resolve it rather than attempting to evade law enforcement. Outstanding warrants are logged into the law enforcement database, and the offender would be arrested anytime they are stopped at a checkpoint.

Expunge Fulton County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal mechanism through which an arrest record may be removed from public access. Under Indiana Code 35-38-9, eligible arrest records may be expunged, giving the offender a second chance and opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise be limited by the existence of an arrest record. Arrest records may qualify for expungement if the arrestee is not undergoing a pretrial diversion and any of these are true:

• The arrest resulted in a conviction, which was later vacated upon appeal
• The arrest did not result in a conviction

Moreover, some arrests that were charged as felony convictions, minor Class D felonies, level 6 felonies, and other less serious felonies may qualify for expungement. However, before serious felony conviction records are expunged, the prosecutor's consent is required.

In Fulton County, individuals seeking to expunge eligible arrest records may file a petition for expungement in the court where the case was originally filed or addressed. Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1 prescribes specific waiting periods that must elapse before an expungement petition may be filed. For instance, arrest records that resulted in dismissed charges, acquittals, or no charges filed are subject to a one-year waiting period from the date of arrest.