Indianapolis Arrest Records

Arrest records in Indianapolis, Indiana, contain information about individuals arrested by law enforcement within the city. Generally, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff's Office are the primary custodians of Indianapolis's arrest records. These law enforcement agencies arrest offenders and generate Indiana City arrest records through their booking process. However, arrest records may also be included among Indiana court records in instances where arrests result in the prosecution of the arrestee.

Are Arrest Records Public in Indianapolis?

According to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, Indianapolis arrest records are generally considered public information. Consequently, the public has the right to access these records. Nonetheless, the Act exempts certain types of arrest records from public disclosure. Such records include criminal investigative files, juvenile records, the identities of confidential informants, law enforcement tactical or operational records, and the identities of victims, witnesses, or undercover officers.

The contact details of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are as follows:

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
50 North Alabama Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 327-6582

Indianapolis Arrest Statistics

According to a 5-year analysis of figures from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported 128,001 arrests between 2019 and 2023. This figure comprised 74.95% (95,943) males and 25.05% (32,058) females.
A breakdown of the types of offenses for which law enforcement officers detained offenders during the period showed that all offenses, aside from traffic, were the most prevalent, with 43.94% (58,146), followed by simple assault at 13.08% (17,305) and unspecified larceny theft at 6.57% (8,698). Offenders driving under the influence comprised 5.94% (7,865), while unspecified assaults accounted for 4.83% (6,391) of the total.

Typically, Indianapolis law enforcement houses individuals taken into custody at the Marion County Jail, located at:

40 S. Alabama Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 327-1574

Find Indianapolis Arrest Records

Information seekers looking for offenders' arrest records at the state level may utilize the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) Search Tool on the Department of Corrections Portal. After inserting a first or last name, or a combination of both, to refine the search or using the inmate's DOC number, the platform displays up-to-date information on inmates jailed in the state's prison facilities. Typical searches produce results such as the inmates' physical descriptions, birth dates, DOC Numbers, expected release dates, and other sentencing information.

Indianapolis Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Indianapolis arrest records and criminal records are not the same thing. When law enforcement agents detain someone for an alleged crime, arrest records are generated. These documents often include information about the arrest occurrence, such as the date, location, arresting agency, charges filed, and booking information (for example, mugshots and fingerprints). Having an arrest record does not imply guilt. It just records a person's arrest and alleged wrongdoing. Such a person may be cleared of charges later.

In contrast, a criminal record is a detailed documentation of a person's criminal history. These records include arrest information, charges filed, court proceedings and outcomes (e.g., guilty pleas, convictions, dismissals), and sentencing details. Criminal records are a permanent record of a person's criminal history. These records indicate that law enforcement agencies filed official charges against individuals and documented the outcome of those cases.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An individual's conviction records remain on their record indefinitely, regardless of whether the offense is a misdemeanor or felony, unless they satisfy the eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing.

Indianapolis Arrest Warrants

In Indianapolis, arrest warrants are written orders issued by a judge that grant law enforcement agents the authority to arrest someone suspected of committing a crime.

When a judge receives a complaint alleging a particular offense within their jurisdiction, they review the affidavit. If they find sufficient evidence (probable cause), they issue the warrant, directing any law enforcement officer in the state to arrest the suspect.

Indianapolis arrest warrants may become necessary under the following conditions:

• Arrest warrants in Indianapolis are commonly issued in situations where:
• An alleged offender is not present at a crime scene.
• A pending investigation is underway, which may result in post-incident charges.
• A bench warrant is issued when someone is summoned to court but fails to appear.
• There are probation and parole violations.
• Law enforcement agents require judicial authorization before entering private property to make an arrest.

In Indianapolis, arrest warrants typically contain information such as:

• The complete name or description of the alleged offender.
• Details of the alleged offense.
• The county where the warrant was issued.
• The date of issuance, the judge's name, signature, and title.
• A directive to apprehend the accused and present them before the issuing judge or another judge in the same county.
• The bail amount, if any

Do Indianapolis Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Indianapolis usually do not expire. They remain in effect until the accused person is arrested or the court invalidates the warrant. Arrest warrants are not bound to a statute of limitations; thus, peace officers may execute them at any time. Furthermore, the court may withdraw a warrant if law enforcement fails to make a concerted effort to enforce it.

Expunge Indianapolis Arrest Records

The Indiana Expungement Law (Second Chance Law) allows arrests and charges to be expunged if they do not result in a conviction or a conviction vacated on appeal, and the individual involved is not participating in a pre-trial diversion program.

A prospective petitioner typically must wait a year before beginning the expungement process, regardless of whether they were arrested and charged, had the charges dropped, were found not guilty, or obtained a pre-trial diversion.

However, arrests made after June 30, 2022, that do not lead to charges being brought are exempt from the one-year waiting period. Additionally, the waiting time is not applicable when the offender was acquitted of the accusations or when charges were filed after June 30, 2022, but were later dismissed (either by diversion or another method). Such a person is not required to submit an expungement petition. The court automatically performs the procedure.