Washington County Arrest Records

Arrest records are official documentation produced by law enforcement agencies after an arrest. Arrests typically occur when a law enforcement officer believes with reasonable suspicion that a person has committed an offense, or when an officer acts under an arrest warrant. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is primarily responsible for making arrests in the county.

After an arrest, the arrestee may be detained at the Washington County Detention Center. Individuals are temporarily held in the center pending further government action, such as the filing of charges in court. For details about a person’s involvement with the judicial system, individuals may review the Washington County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Yes, Per Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3), arrest records in Washington County are public records. Under the Act, individuals have the right to request the disclosure of an arrest record in law enforcement custody. However, law enforcement agencies are authorized to deny access to all or part of an arrest record if disclosure may contradict Indiana law. Generally, the following arrest records are restricted from public access in Indiana:

• All arrest records involving minors
• The arrest records of human trafficking victims
• The identities of domestic violence and sexual assault victims
• The identities of undercover police officers and confidential informants
• Arrest records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Arrest records sealed or restricted by the court

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

According to IC § 5-14-3-5(a), a law enforcement agency must make the following arrest information available for public inspection:

• Identifying information, such as the arrestee’s name, age, and address
• The charges for which an individual was arrested
• Time and location of the arrest
• Name of the investigating or arresting officer (unless they are undercover)
• Arresting agency

If the arrestee was detained in jail, the following information is also disseminated:

• The name of the official who ordered the detention
• Date and time of arrival at the jail
• Date and time of release or transfer
• Bail or bond amount (if applicable)

Washington County Arrest Statistics

The State of Indiana utilizes a statewide National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) program to gather and compile crime data from law enforcement agencies across the state. The data is accessible to the public on the Indiana Management Performance Hub's Arrests Dashboard portal.

According to information available on the portal, Washington County recorded 564 arrests in 2024. Drug and traffic offenses were the most common, accounting for 75% (423 arrests) of all incidents. Fraud and sex offenses were among the least common, each representing only 1.2% (7 arrests) of the total. The majority of individuals arrested were aged 35 to 44 years.

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Washington County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff’s Office and the Salem City Police Department, the primary agencies responsible for arrests in the county. To get an arrest record, individuals may visit the agency that conducted the arrest. Details of inmates currently in jail can be found on the Sheriff’s Inmate Roster page.

For individuals held in state prisons, members of the public can contact the Indiana Department of Corrections (DOC), which manages records on individuals incarcerated in state prisons. Active inmate records can be searched online using the Indiana Offender Locator by entering an inmate’s first and last name or their DOC number. Using a DOC number, if known, may help provide more accurate results.

For individuals held in federal prisons, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator provides records of inmates incarcerated since 1982. Searches can be conducted using an inmate’s name or number

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

Several third-party providers offer Washington County arrest record searches, typically allowing users to search by name or case number (where available). While basic searches are usually free, advanced searches may require a fee. When utilizing the services of third-party providers, users should note that records obtained are not recognized as official or original.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The duration an arrest remains on record depends entirely on case disposition. Under IC § 35-38-9-1 (b), Washington County courts automatically expunge arrest records when no conviction results from the arrest. The record is typically expunged within 60 days following the dismissal, acquittal, or vacated conviction, and may be delayed for up to one year in certain circumstances. If one year is exceeded, and the record remains, the individual may have to file for expungement themselves.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

Under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, an individual may apply to the court to have their arrest records expunged, particularly if they do not qualify for automatic expungement. An individual may be eligible for expungement in Washington if the following apply:

• The arrest did not result in a conviction
• The arrest resulted in a misdemeanor conviction, and five years have passed
• The arrest resulted in a Class D misdemeanor or Level 6 felony conviction, and eight years have passed
• The arrest resulted in a serious felony conviction, and 10 years have passed
• The conviction was not for a sexual crime or violent crime

When filing for expungement, individuals must submit the petition to the court that handled the case. The petition should include key details about the arrest and be served to the prosecuting attorney. Depending on the case, the court may schedule a hearing. If the petition satisfies all requirements, the court will order the expungement of the record. An expungement seals the arrest and prohibits law enforcement agencies from disclosing details of the arrest to the public.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal paper that authorizes law enforcement to make an arrest. It is generally issued by a court when a complaint is filed and the court determines probable cause for an arrest, i.e., that the facts or evidence presented are sufficient to believe the accused committed the alleged offense. However, in cases where a grand jury indictment is filed, the court will issue a warrant immediately without requiring a law enforcement complaint.

Once an arrest warrant is issued in Washington County, law enforcement may execute it at any time and in any location within the state. Such warrants are directed to the county sheriff's office and typically include the following information:

• Name or description of the person to be arrested
• The alleged offense
• Date and county of issuance
• Signature of the judge or clerk, with official title
• A command to arrest and bring the person before the court without unnecessary delay
• Amount of bail, if any

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, In general, arrest warrants in Washington County do not expire. Once a warrant is issued, it remains valid until a law enforcement officer executes it or the court quashes it. The court may quash a warrant if new evidence emerges proving the accused is not responsible for the alleged offense, or if the legal grounds for the arrest no longer exist. If no such judicial action is taken, the warrant remains valid indefinitely.