Criminal records in Porter County, Indiana, are available through several channels. PorterCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Indiana state court system, the Porter County Clerk's Office, and law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Porter
There are several ways to find criminal records in Porter County. Choose the one that best suits your situation.
Online Search
- PorterCourt.us — enter a name or case number to find publicly available information about county criminal court cases.
- Indiana MyCase — a free portal of the Indiana court system. Search is possible by name, case number, or traffic ticket number. The free access to adult court records page on the Porter County website directs here.
- Indiana State Police — Limited Criminal History — the state police database contains records of arrests for felonies and Class A misdemeanors in Indiana.
- Indiana Incarcerated Database Search — search for inmates in the Indiana Department of Correction system by last name.
- INjail Public Access — a portal for searching individuals held in Indiana county jails by last name and date of birth.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Porter County Clerk's Office. If you do not have an attorney, documents can be filed directly here. Public access terminals for court records are located in the courthouse.
For arrest or crime reports, contact the Porter County Sheriff's Office.
Mail Request
A written request for a criminal history can be sent to the Porter County Clerk's Office or the Indiana State Police (for a limited state-level criminal history). Include the full name of the person, date of birth, and, if available, the case number in the request. Attach a copy of identification and payment.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferred)
- Case number or traffic ticket number (if known)
Search Porter Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Indiana, court case numbers have a standard format consisting of several parts. A typical number looks like this:
64D01-2401-F6-000123
- 64 — Porter County code in the Indiana system.
- D01 — court designation (e.g., D01 = Superior Court 1, C01 = Circuit Court).
- 2401 — year and month of case filing (2024, January).
- F6 — type of case. For criminal cases: F (felony with level, e.g., F6 — Level 6 Felony), CM (misdemeanor), IF (infraction), MC (miscellaneous criminal).
- 000123 — sequential case number.
Knowing the full number, you can enter it into the MyCase portal and immediately get information about a specific case — without needing to filter results by name. This is the fastest way to search if you have the case number.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Porter
Charges
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Indiana Code (e.g., IC 35-42-1-1 — murder). Indicates the specific law that was violated. |
| Severity | Felony (levels 1–6, where 1 is the most severe), Misdemeanor (classes A, B, C), Infraction. |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charges — reduce the severity or add new counts. |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made.
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court.
- Disposed — the court has made a decision, and the case is concluded.
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including the execution of the sentence.
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the charges are read to the accused, and they plead guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-Trial Conference — a meeting of the parties before the trial to discuss procedural issues or a possible agreement.
- Sentencing — a hearing for sentencing after a guilty plea.
- Review Hearing — a review of compliance with probation conditions or other court requirements.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or by the accused's admission. |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted — the court or jury did not find sufficient evidence of guilt. |
| Dismissed | The case was closed by the prosecutor or court without a verdict. |
| Acquitted | Official acquittal after the case was considered on its merits. |
| Withheld Judgment | The court postpones sentencing; if conditions are met, the charges may be dismissed. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Porter
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a court seal, accepted by other institutions as evidence. Here's where to get them.
Porter County Clerk's Office
The clerk issues certified copies of court documents from cases heard in the Circuit Court and Superior Courts of the county.
- Visit in person or send a written request.
- Provide the case number, party name, and type of document you need.
- Present photo identification.
- Pay the certification and copying fee.
Porter County Sheriff's Office
For arrest records or criminal background checks, contact the arrest records department of the sheriff's office.
Indiana State Police
For a limited state-level criminal history, use the Indiana State Police online tool. This report includes only felonies and Class A misdemeanors within Indiana.
Required Documents
- Photo identification (government-issued)
- Full name and date of birth of the person for whom information is requested
- Case number (if known)
- Completed request form (depends on the institution)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Porter
Fees for criminal records depend on the type of document and the issuing institution. Below are approximate amounts based on current rates.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 | Standard Indiana court clerk rate according to IC 33-37-5 |
| Document certification | $5.00 | In addition to the copying cost |
| Limited Criminal History (ISP, online) | $15.00 | Payment by credit card through the Indiana State Police website |
| Background check (sheriff's office) | Depends on the type of check | Contact the sheriff's office directly for clarification |
Processing Time
- Online Search (MyCase, ISP) — results are usually available immediately or within a few minutes.
- In-Person Visit to Clerk — copies are often issued the same day if the case is in the electronic system.
- Mail Request — processing may take from 5 to 15 business days depending on the request volume and office workload.
For current rates, contact the clerk's office directly or check the Indiana court system public records page.