Starke County Arrest Records

In Starke County, Indiana, a law enforcement officer's authority to make arrests is subject to certain preconditions. This includes when a crime is committed within the officer's purview, when investigation discloses probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime, or after a judge has ordered a suspect's arrest by issuing a warrant.

Arrestees are typically held at the Starke County Jail pending bail or arraignment, where formal charges are filed. As the primary law enforcement agency in Starke County, the Starke County Sheriff's Office generates and maintains arrest reports and entries. Such records typically contain a list of the arrestee's name, allegations, booking date, and bail information.

Arrest records may intersect with Starke County Court Records, where the individual was eventually arraigned and tried by a court of competent jurisdiction. Together, these records create a comprehensive legal history for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Starke County?

The public's right to inspect arrest entries and logbooks maintained by law enforcement agencies is guaranteed under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq.). However, state law allows record custodians to redact protected information such as:

• Investigatory records, including body cam footage during active investigations
• Recordings of undercover officers or confidential informants
• Records sealed by court order
• Medical, autopsy, and other sensitive records
• Records declared confidential by statute or federal law

Note: Expunged records are confidential. As such, they are typically excluded from all arrest repositories and sealed or redacted in court records.

Starke County Sheriff's Office
108 N. Pearl St.,
Knox, IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-3771
Fax: (574) 772-7641

Starke County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, Starke County reported 243 arrests in 2022. This included:

• Violent crimes: 28 arrests (6 aggravated assaults, two robberies, zero homicides)
• Property crimes: 172 arrests (49 burglaries, 113 thefts, 10 motor vehicle thefts)
• Drug-related offenses: 43 arrests

The Starke County Jail processes approximately 1,200 bookings annually, with an average inmate population 65.

Find Starke County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking access to Starke County arrest records may refer to any of these resources:

Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC)

Go to the Indiana Department of Corrections website and navigate to the "Offender Locator" tool. Enter the offender's DOC number or first and last name to initiate a database query. The search results will display the inmate's facility assignment and DOC number.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator

Access the Federal Bureau of Prisons website and find the inmate locator tool. The BOP locator typically allows searching by name, race, age, and other criteria. The results will detail the inmate's location and status within the federal prison system.

Starke County Sheriff's Office

The Starke Sheriff's Office is the primary source for arrest records in Starke County. The Sheriff's Office accepts in-person requests at:

Starke County Sheriff's Office
108 N. Pearl St.,
Knox, IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-3771
Fax: (574) 772-7641

Starke County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record documents the circumstances surrounding an individual's detention in law enforcement custody. It includes the arrestee's name, reason for arrest, and booking details, but does not confirm guilt.

In contrast, a criminal record provides a complete legal history, including convictions, sentencing, and post-trial outcomes. While arrest records are standalone documents, criminal records often incorporate arrest data alongside court rulings. Also, in Starke County, they are both considered public records.

Although arrest records may appear within a criminal record, not all arrests result in convictions. As a result, criminal records are widely used for background screenings in employment, housing, and firearms transactions. In contrast, due to their limited scope, arrest records are seldom utilized for these purposes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Starke County, arrest records may remain on file indefinitely unless erased by expungement. Eligibility for expungement depends on the case outcome:

• Dismissed charges/no charges filed: Eligible immediately.
• Acquittals: Eligible one year after case closure.
• Misdemeanors: Five years post-sentencing.
• Felonies: Eight years post-sentencing (non-violent offenses only).

Expungement requires filing a petition in Starke County Circuit Court. If approved, records are sealed from public view but retained for law enforcement use.

Starke County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court-issued document granting law enforcement authorities the right to arrest an individual anywhere within Starke County and the state. This jurisdictional reach is reinforced by Indiana Code § 35-33-2-1, which empowers officers to act on warrants across county lines. A judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant only after rigorously evaluating affidavits submitted by law enforcement or prosecutors.

Additionally, the warrant is entered into state and federal databases, flagging the suspect's name during routine stops or background checks. Arrest warrants contain these:

• Suspect's name and description
• Charged offense(s)
• Issuing the judge's name and date
• Instructions for execution

Warrants authorize officers to arrest the individual anywhere in Indiana.

Do Starke County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Starke County, Indiana, arrest warrants retain their legal force indefinitely and remain active under state law until one of three definitive conditions is met. First, the warrant is resolved when law enforcement successfully apprehends the suspect named in the document. Second, a judge or court formally recalls the warrant, which may occur if charges are dismissed due to insufficient evidence, procedural errors, or a negotiated resolution.

The third and final condition is the statute of limitations for the alleged offense (generally five years for many felony charges under Indiana Code § 35-41-4-2). However, even after expiration, warrants may persist in databases but lose enforceability.

Expunge Starke County Arrest Records

To expunge an arrest record in Starke County, follow these steps: charges must be dismissed, acquitted, or meet waiting periods. File a petition: Submit forms to:

Starke County Circuit Court
101 E. Washington St.,
Knox, IN 46534

Then the judge reviews the petition and opposition from prosecutors. If granted, pay fees and notify agencies to seal records. Expunged records are inaccessible to employers or landlords but remain available to law enforcement.