Sullivan County Arrest Records

Sullivan County arrest records detail the arrests and detentions made by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police, or other county law enforcement agencies. Under Title 35, Article 33 of the Indiana Code, law enforcement officers may arrest individuals suspected of felonies, misdemeanors, domestic violence, or other crimes. Officers may also make arrests if they have a warrant from the court.

Sullivan County agencies are required by law to keep arrest records. Typically, arrest records serve as initial documentation in criminal case trials. Once a case is heard in court, these records become part of the Sullivan County court records. When suspects are arrested in Sullivan County, they are usually held at the Sullivan County Jail.

Are Arrest Records Public in Sullivan County?

Yes. Sullivan County arrest records are public. Indiana's Public Records Act grants the public access to all information about government activities at reasonable times and costs. This includes Sullivan County arrest records. However, despite this broad access, not all Sullivan County arrest records may be disclosed under the Act. Sensitive Sullivan County arrest information is not available to the public, including:

• Records involving minors
• Records pertaining to investigations in progress
• Sealed and expunged records
• Victim or witness records
• Personal identifying information, such as social security numbers
• Trade secrets
• Records that may threaten public safety and security
• Medical and insurance records

Interested parties may obtain arrest records through the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department.

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office
77 E Justice Dr,
Sullivan IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4308

Sullivan County Arrest Statistics

According to crime data from the FBI's 2019 Indiana Uniform Crime Report, there were a total of 11 violent and eight property crimes in Sullivan County that year. The crime rate was 91 per 100,000 residents. The average daily jail population was 73 inmates. Based on Indiana State's records, drug-related offenses and driving under the influence (DUI) are the leading causes of arrests in the county.

Find Sullivan County Arrest Records

To get Sullivan County arrest records, requesters should visit the county's Inmate Search page and enter the first name, last name, or inmate ID. New arrests may take some hours to post. For enquiries, requesters may call the Sullivan County Jail at (812) 268-4308.

Arrest records are also available through the Indiana Courts MyCase Search Portal. For arrestees from Sullivan County serving time in a state facility, interested parties may search for their arrest information by name or DOC number on the Indiana Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search Portal.

Sullivan County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although criminal and arrest records are used in criminal investigations, they are not the same. They contain different information and have various consequences on the subject of the record. Arrest records are law enforcement documents that provide information on an arrest's circumstances. This includes details about the arrestee, the charges, and the conditions for release. A Sullivan County arrest record does not prove guilt or innocence.

Sullivan County criminal records provide details about crimes and court cases handled by the county's courts. These records include arrest information, trial documents, convictions, and incarceration history. A Sullivan County arrest record does not necessarily demonstrate guilt. It only shows the individual was apprehended by law enforcement.

In contrast, criminal records show conviction status and case disposition. Arrest and criminal records can significantly impact individuals' livelihood and quality of life. For instance, individuals with arrest records may find it difficult to secure good employment and accommodation, particularly when a background check is conducted.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records can stay on file indefinitely unless a court seals or removes them. Under Code 35-38-9-1, record owners have the right to petition the court to seal or remove an arrest record if:

• Their case was dismissed, they were found not guilty, the conviction was overturned, or there was no trial.
• The arrest was for a misdemeanor or a non-violent felony.
• They completed their sentences.

Although sealed and expunged records are not publicly accessible, they remain visible to law enforcement agents and other authorized organizations. There are mandatory waiting periods for individuals seeking to have their records sealed or expunged. For non-conviction arrests, there is a mandatory waiting period of one year. Misdemeanor convictions have a waiting period of five years after serving the terms of their sentences, while felonies have a waiting period of eight years.

Sullivan County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement agents to take an individual into custody legally. In Sullivan County, a judge or magistrate issues a warrant if law enforcement shows evidence of a crime, has reasonable cause to believe an individual committed it, or proves the individual is a security risk.

In addition to giving law enforcement authority to make an arrest, an arrest warrant usually includes:

• The suspect's name, physical description, and last known address
• A summary of the facts and evidence
• Details of the charges
• A command to arrest the suspect
• The name and signature of the issuing judge
• The name of the issuing court
• The terms of release

Do Sullivan County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Generally, Sullivan County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain enforceable until the individual is arrested. However, under the Indiana code § 35-33-2-4 (2023), law enforcement has 180 days to execute an arrest warrant issued for a misdemeanor. Afterwards, the warrant must be returned to the court clerk. The court may reissue a warrant on the same case with no time limit.

Expunge Sullivan County Arrest Records

Indiana state adopted the Second Chance law, Indiana Code § 35-38-9, in July 2013 to give individuals who have completed their sentences the opportunity of a realistic path to employment, housing, and full civic participation. Otherwise, past mistakes could shadow them for life, even if they were cases of lower-level, non-violent offenses. However, expungement is not available for all offenses.

Individuals seeking to have their arrest records sealed must:

• Verify that they are eligible to have their record sealed
• Get a copy of their arrest record from the Indiana State Police or the arresting agency
• Download an expungement form from the Indiana courts website or through the Sullivan County clerk.
• Fill out the form and include a check or money order for the filing fee.
• Send a copy of their petition to the county prosecutor.

Petitioners may be required to attend hearings to explain why the court should expunge their records.