Porter County Criminal Records
What Is Porter County Criminal Records
Porter County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Porter County, Indiana. These records are maintained pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, which governs public records in the state.
Criminal records in Porter County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Porter County Sheriff's Department or local police agencies. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, establishing that an individual has been found legally responsible for a criminal offense.
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more in state prison facilities.
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year in county jail or other penalties.
Adult and juvenile records are handled differently under Indiana law. While adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, juvenile records are typically sealed pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-39-8-2 to protect the privacy and future prospects of minors.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Porter County:
Porter County Sheriff's Department
2755 State Road 49
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 477-3000
Porter County Sheriff's Department
Porter County Circuit Court
16 E Lincolnway, Suite 209
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 465-3450
Porter County Circuit Court
Indiana State Police
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-8241
Indiana State Police
A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in Porter County.
Are Criminal Records Public In Porter County
Criminal records in Porter County are generally public documents in accordance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act states: "A public agency may not deny or interfere with the exercise of the right stated in subsection (a). The public agency shall either provide the requested copies to the person making the request or allow the person to make copies on the public agency's equipment or on the person's own equipment."
Public criminal records in Porter County typically include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and dockets
- Conviction information
- Sentencing records
- Incarceration data
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain categories of criminal records are restricted from public access under state law:
- Records related to ongoing investigations
- Grand jury proceedings
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Certain victim information in sensitive cases
- Information that would compromise public safety if released
The Porter County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian of court records, while the Porter County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest and incarceration records. Both agencies must comply with state public records laws while balancing privacy concerns and statutory exemptions.
Public access to criminal records supports governmental transparency and accountability while allowing citizens to make informed decisions about their safety and community. However, the right to access must be balanced with individual privacy rights and the rehabilitation goals of the criminal justice system.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Porter County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Porter County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of detail.
To conduct an in-person search for criminal records:
- Visit the Porter County Clerk's Office during regular business hours.
- Complete a public records request form, specifying the information sought.
- Provide identifying information about the subject of the search (full name, date of birth if known).
- Pay any applicable search or copy fees as established by county ordinance.
- Allow time for staff to process the request and retrieve records.
Porter County Clerk's Office
155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 209
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 465-3450
Porter County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For criminal records maintained by law enforcement:
- Contact the Porter County Sheriff's Department Records Division.
- Submit a completed records request form with required identification.
- Specify the type of records sought (arrest reports, incident reports, etc.).
- Pay established fees for record retrieval and copying.
Porter County Sheriff's Department Records Division
2755 State Road 49
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 477-3000
County Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
For certified court records:
- Visit the appropriate Porter County court where the case was heard.
- Provide the case number if available, or name and approximate date.
- Request certified copies of specific documents.
- Pay certification and copy fees as required.
Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9, certain court records may have restricted access. Requestors should be prepared to demonstrate legal entitlement to access restricted records when applicable.
How To Find Criminal Records in Porter County Online?
Porter County offers several digital platforms for accessing criminal records electronically. These online resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information may vary by system.
The primary online resources for Porter County criminal records include:
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mycase.IN.gov - The Indiana Courts Online Case Search system provides access to Porter County court cases. Users can search by name, case number, or attorney. The system displays case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. No registration is required for basic searches, though some document images may require courthouse access.
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Porter County Jail Inmate Lookup - The Sheriff's Department maintains an online jail roster showing current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond information. This resource is updated regularly and requires no registration to access.
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Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History - For statewide criminal history information, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History portal provides records of felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests. This service requires registration and payment of a fee per search.
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Indiana Department of Correction Offender Search - For information on individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities or under Department of Correction supervision, the Indiana Offender Database Search provides custody status, location, and projected release dates.
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Porter County Sheriff's Department Records - Some incident reports and crime data may be available through the County Records portal, though complete reports typically require formal requests.
When conducting online searches, users should note:
- Name-based searches work best with complete and accurate information
- Common names may return multiple results requiring additional identifiers
- Some case details may be restricted online but available at the courthouse
- Recent arrests or court filings may experience processing delays before appearing online
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public online searches
Online access to criminal records is provided pursuant to Indiana's commitment to government transparency while balancing privacy considerations as outlined in IC § 5-14-3-4.
Can You Search Porter County Criminal Records for Free?
Porter County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without charge, in accordance with Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. The law permits free inspection of non-confidential public records during regular business hours at the maintaining agency.
Free record access options include:
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In-person inspection - Pursuant to IC § 5-14-3-3, individuals may examine non-confidential criminal records at no cost at the Porter County Courthouse or Sheriff's Department during regular business hours. While inspection is free, copying fees may apply if printed records are requested.
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mycase.IN.gov - The Indiana Courts Online Case Search system provides free basic access to Porter County court cases, including criminal matters. Users can view case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information without charge.
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Porter County Jail Inmate Lookup - The Sheriff's Department maintains a free online jail roster showing current inmates, booking information, and charges. This resource is updated regularly and accessible without registration or fees.
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Sex Offender Registry - The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry provides free public access to information about registered offenders residing in Porter County.
Locations offering free in-person inspection include:
Porter County Courthouse
16 E Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 465-3450
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Porter County Sheriff's Department
2755 State Road 49
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 477-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
While basic record inspection is available without charge, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies (typically $0.10-$1.00 per page)
- Certified documents ($1.00-$5.00 per document)
- Research services requiring extensive staff time
- Specialized reports or comprehensive background checks
- Records requiring redaction of confidential information
The Porter County Clerk and Sheriff's Department establish fee schedules in accordance with Indiana law, which permits recovery of direct costs associated with record reproduction.
What's Included in a Porter County Criminal Record?
Porter County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit, Superior, or Municipal)
- Formal charges filed with statutory citations
- Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to the case
- Hearing dates and proceedings
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentence details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Veterans Court)
- DUI/OWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and whether any information has been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order. Records are maintained in accordance with Indiana's records retention schedules and the Indiana Administrative Code.
How Long Does Porter County Keep Criminal Records?
Porter County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) and in compliance with Indiana Code § 5-15-5.1, which governs public records retention. These schedules vary by document type and severity of offense.
Key retention periods for Porter County criminal records include:
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Felony Case Files: Maintained permanently for murder and Class A/Level 1 felonies. Other felony cases are retained for 20 years after final disposition.
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Misdemeanor Case Files: Generally retained for 5-10 years after case closure, depending on the classification of the offense.
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Traffic Violations: Typically maintained for 3-5 years after case resolution.
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Arrest Records: The Porter County Sheriff's Department retains arrest records for a minimum of 10 years, with serious offense records kept longer.
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Booking Photos and Fingerprints: Maintained for the duration of the case plus the applicable retention period based on offense severity.
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Court Dockets and Indexes: Preserved permanently as historical records of the court's activities.
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Probation Records: Retained for 5 years after the completion of probation requirements.
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Expunged Records: Following court-ordered expungement pursuant to IC § 35-38-9, records are either physically destroyed or sealed from public access, depending on the type of expungement granted.
The Porter County Clerk's Office and Sheriff's Department follow the County/Local Retention Schedule and the County/Local Courts Retention Schedule established by the IARA. These schedules ensure that records are maintained for appropriate periods to serve justice system needs while eventually allowing for the disposition of older records.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records, though the storage medium differs. As Porter County continues to digitize its record systems, electronic preservation has extended the practical retention period of many records beyond the minimum requirements.
Lookup Criminal Records in Porter County
Porter County Jail Information