Dubois County Court Records
What Is Dubois County Court Records
Court records in Dubois County, Indiana, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records serve as the formal, permanent account of all actions taken within a case and are maintained by the clerk of each respective court. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, public records are broadly defined to include any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency.
Court records in Dubois County encompass a wide range of document types, including:
- Case files — the complete collection of documents filed in a particular matter
- Dockets — chronological logs of all filings and court actions in a case
- Pleadings and motions — formal written statements submitted by parties
- Orders and judgments — official rulings issued by the presiding judge
- Transcripts — verbatim written records of court proceedings
- Exhibits — physical or documentary evidence admitted during hearings or trials
- Sentencing records — documentation of penalties imposed in criminal matters
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, for example, are held by the Dubois County Assessor and Recorder, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are managed by the Indiana Department of Health or the local health department. Court records are specifically tied to judicial proceedings and are custodied by the clerk of the court in which the case was filed.
The courts that maintain records in Dubois County include the Dubois Circuit Court, the Dubois Superior Court, and the Dubois County Small Claims Court. These courts collectively handle civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. The Dubois County Indiana Judicial Branch provides current information on local court structure and rules.
Are Court Records Public In Dubois County
Court records in Dubois County are presumptively open to the public under Indiana law. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, establishes that any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours. Indiana courts are considered public agencies for purposes of this statute, and judicial records are subject to public access unless a specific exemption applies.
The following categories of court records are generally available to members of the public:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to record and estate inventories
It is important to note the distinction between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, which has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in this region, are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are not subject to Indiana's public records statutes. The Indiana Supreme Court has also issued administrative rules governing access to court records, including Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which defines what court records are accessible and establishes procedures for restricting access in limited circumstances.
How To Find Court Records in Dubois County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Dubois County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and whether the case is recent or historical.
In-Person Requests The most direct method is to visit the Dubois County Clerk's Office in person during regular business hours. Staff can assist with locating case files, providing certified copies, and directing requestors to the appropriate court division.
Written Requests Individuals who are unable to appear in person may submit a written request to the Clerk's Office by mail. Requests should include the full name of the parties involved, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known.
Online Access The Indiana Courts' statewide case management portal provides remote access to many court records without requiring an in-person visit. This is the most efficient method for locating recently filed cases.
Historical Records For older records, the Dubois County Records Library maintains historical court documents. According to the county's official records repository, all county records prior to August 1839 were destroyed in a fire; however, records from that point forward are available. The Dubois County Records Library holds civil, probate/estate, and criminal records, among others.
Fees for copies are set by statute and are subject to change. Certified copies typically carry a higher fee than standard reproductions.
How To Look Up Court Records in Dubois County Online?
Indiana provides a centralized online portal for searching court records across all participating counties, including Dubois County. Members of the public may use the following resources:
MyCase — Indiana Courts Case Search The primary online tool for locating Dubois County court records is MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search, maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court. This portal allows users to search by party name, case number, or attorney. It includes records from the Dubois Circuit Court and Dubois Superior Court.
To conduct a search using MyCase:
- Navigate to the MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov
- Select the search type: by party name, case number, or attorney name
- Enter the relevant search terms in the provided fields
- Filter results by county, selecting "Dubois" from the county dropdown menu
- Review the list of matching cases and select the appropriate matter
- View the docket entries, party information, and available case documents
It is important to note that MyCase displays public case information only. Records that have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under Indiana Administrative Rule 9 will not appear in search results. Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record, as noted in the MyCase system documentation.
How To Search Dubois County Court Records for Free?
Indiana law guarantees the right of any person to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, public agencies, including courts, may not charge a fee for the inspection of records — only for the reproduction of copies. This means that members of the public may review court records in person at the Clerk's Office without incurring any cost.
Online, the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal is free to use and does not require account registration for basic case lookups. Users may search for case information, view docket entries, and review party details at no charge. Fees apply only when requesting certified copies or official court documents through the Clerk's Office.
The Dubois County Records Library also provides free in-person access to historical court records during regular business hours. No fee is assessed for inspection; reproduction fees apply if copies are requested.
What's Included in a Dubois County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include a standardized set of documents and data fields. The following outlines what is typically found within each major category:
Civil Case Records
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions filed by either party and corresponding responses
- Court orders and rulings on motions
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings, including appeals or enforcement actions
Criminal Case Records
- Charging documents (information or indictment)
- Arrest and booking information
- Bail and bond orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts and exhibit logs
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
Probate and Estate Records
- Petitions for probate of a will
- Inventory of estate assets
- Claims filed by creditors
- Orders of distribution
- Final accounting documents
Family Court Records
- Dissolution of marriage petitions and decrees
- Child custody and support orders
- Adoption records (subject to access restrictions)
- Protective orders
Traffic Records
- Citation information
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Judgments and fine assessments
How Long Does Dubois County Keep Court Records?
Indiana courts are required to retain court records in accordance with schedules established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records and the Indiana Supreme Court. Retention periods vary by record type and case classification.
General retention guidelines for Dubois County court records include:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
- Probate records — retained permanently due to their ongoing legal significance
- Small claims records — retained for a minimum of 5 years following case closure
- Traffic infraction records — retained for a minimum of 5 years
These schedules are established pursuant to Indiana's records management statutes and are subject to revision by the Indiana Commission on Public Records. Courts may retain records beyond the minimum period at their discretion. Historical records that predate electronic filing systems may be held in physical form at the Dubois County Records Library or in archival storage.
Types of Courts In Dubois County
Dubois County operates within Indiana's unified court system, which is administered under the authority of the Indiana Supreme Court. The court hierarchy in Indiana proceeds from local trial courts upward through the Indiana Court of Appeals to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Dubois Circuit Court The Dubois Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal matters, civil cases, probate, and family law proceedings.
Dubois County Clerk's Office 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 200 Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7035 Dubois County Indiana Judicial Branch Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Dubois Superior Court The Dubois Superior Court shares jurisdiction with the Circuit Court and handles civil, criminal, family, and traffic matters.
Dubois Superior Court 1 Courthouse Square Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7035 Dubois County Indiana Judicial Branch Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Indiana Court of Appeals The Indiana Court of Appeals serves as the intermediate appellate court for decisions originating in Dubois County trial courts.
Indiana Court of Appeals 200 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-1420 Indiana Court of Appeals
Indiana Supreme Court The Indiana Supreme Court is the court of last resort for all matters arising within the state court system.
Indiana Supreme Court 200 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-1930 Indiana Supreme Court
What Types of Cases Do Dubois County Courts Hear?
Each court within Dubois County is authorized to hear specific categories of cases based on subject matter jurisdiction and statutory authority.
Dubois Circuit Court hears:
- Felony criminal cases (Level 1 through Level 6 felonies)
- Major civil disputes exceeding the small claims threshold
- Probate and estate matters
- Guardianship proceedings
- Dissolution of marriage and child custody cases
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) matters
Dubois Superior Court hears:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil cases, including contract disputes and personal injury claims
- Domestic relations matters
- Traffic infractions and ordinance violations
- Small claims cases (disputes involving amounts up to $10,000 under current Indiana law)
- Protective order proceedings
Indiana Court of Appeals hears:
- Appeals from final judgments of the Dubois Circuit and Superior Courts
- Interlocutory appeals where permitted by rule
Indiana Supreme Court hears:
- Discretionary appeals from the Court of Appeals
- Cases involving constitutional questions
- Cases involving the discipline of attorneys and judges
How To Find a Court Docket In Dubois County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Dubois County court dockets through the following methods:
Online via MyCase The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free public access to docket information for cases filed in Dubois County courts. Users may search by party name or case number and view a complete list of docket entries, including filing dates, document types, and scheduled hearing dates.
Steps to locate a docket online:
- Access the MyCase portal
- Enter the party name or case number in the search fields
- Select "Dubois" as the county
- Open the case record to view the full docket sheet
In Person at the Clerk's Office Members of the public may request docket information directly from the Dubois County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Staff can print docket sheets upon request, and fees for copies apply per the county's established fee schedule.
By Mail Written requests for docket information may be submitted to the Clerk's Office. Requests should specify the case number, party names, and the approximate date of filing to facilitate efficient retrieval.
Which Courts in Dubois County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, and whose judgments carry full legal authority. In Indiana, courts not of record are those that do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and whose decisions may be appealed to a court of record for a trial de novo — meaning the case is reheard in its entirety rather than reviewed on the existing record.
Under Indiana law, specifically Indiana Code § 33-28-1-2, circuit courts are established as courts of record. Superior courts in Indiana are similarly courts of record by statute. At present, Dubois County does not operate a separate city court or town court that functions as a court not of record. All active trial courts in Dubois County — the Circuit Court and the Superior Court — are courts of record, meaning their proceedings are formally documented and their judgments are subject to appellate review on the existing record rather than by trial de novo.
Historically, Indiana operated township trustee courts and justice of the peace courts that were not courts of record, but these have been abolished under modern court reorganization statutes. Any minor offense or ordinance violation matters that might previously have been handled by such courts are currently adjudicated within the Superior Court's jurisdiction.