Dubois County Criminal Records
What Is Dubois County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Dubois County, Indiana, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and may encompass a wide range of proceedings and outcomes.
Understanding the distinctions among record types is essential for accurate interpretation:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court, either through a guilty plea or a trial verdict. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Under Indiana law, felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential sentences of more than one year in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, typically served in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile adjudication records are confidential by statute and are routinely sealed to protect the interests of minors.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants represent current court orders authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Dubois County include:
- Dubois County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail rosters
- Dubois County Circuit Court and Superior Court — maintain case files, charges, arraignments, pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and probation or parole documentation
- Indiana State Police — maintains statewide criminal history data
- Jasper Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies — maintain incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial records, sentencing details, and any conditions of probation or parole. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, criminal justice records are defined within the broader framework of public records subject to disclosure under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act.
Are Criminal Records Public In Dubois County
Criminal records in Dubois County are generally accessible to the public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies. Under current law, any person may submit a request to inspect public records without being required to state a reason for the request.
The following categories of records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking information
- Court case filings, hearing schedules, and judgments
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Sex offender registration information
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would endanger a person or compromise the investigation
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2
- Expunged records, which are treated as if they do not exist following a court order under Indiana's expungement statute
- Confidential informant identities and certain intelligence data
- Mental health and medical records associated with criminal proceedings
Members of the public seeking access to court case records may use the Indiana Courts case search portal, which provides online access to case information maintained by the Office of Judicial Administration.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Dubois County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Dubois County through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for each primary method:
In-Person Requests at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
- Visit the Dubois County Courthouse during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
- Provide the full legal name and date of birth of the subject of the search.
- Complete any required request form provided by the clerk's office.
- Pay applicable copy fees, currently set at $1.00 per page for standard documents.
- Receive copies of available case records or review them on-site.
Dubois County Circuit Court Clerk One Courthouse Square, Suite 200 Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7060 Dubois County Government
Requests Through the Sheriff's Office
Members of the public seeking arrest records or jail booking information may submit a written public records request to the Dubois County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail.
Dubois County Sheriff's Office One Courthouse Square, Suite 300 Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7000 County Sheriff
Statewide Criminal History Requests
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history, members of the public may submit a request through the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search portal. This service returns felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests recorded within Indiana and requires payment of a nominal fee.
How To Find Criminal Records in Dubois County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Dubois County criminal and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
Indiana Courts — MyCase Portal
The MyCase Indiana Courts case search platform, administered by the Office of Judicial Administration, allows members of the public to search court case records statewide, including those filed in Dubois County Circuit and Superior Courts. Users may search by:
- Party name (first and last name)
- Case number
- Attorney name
The portal returns case type, filing date, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. No registration is required for basic public searches. Certain confidential case types are not displayed.
Indiana State Police — Limited Criminal History Search
The Indiana State Police maintains an online portal for limited criminal history searches, which returns felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest records statewide. A fee applies, and results are returned electronically. This portal does not require in-person attendance.
Indiana Department of Correction — Incarcerated Person Search
The Indiana Incarcerated Database Search, maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction, allows members of the public to search for individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state facilities. Searches may be conducted by last name or by both first and last name.
Dubois County Sheriff's Office — Jail Roster
The Dubois County Sheriff's Office may maintain a current jail roster accessible through the county website. Members of the public seeking current inmate information are directed to the County Sheriff's Office page for available online resources.
Records available exclusively in person include sealed case documents, expunged records (where access has been granted by court order), and certain historical paper-format records not yet digitized.
Can You Search Dubois County Criminal Records for Free?
Indiana law currently mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees only for the actual cost of copying records, not for inspection. Fees for copies are generally set at $1.00 per page for standard documents.
The following resources are available at no cost:
- MyCase Portal — The Indiana Courts case search is free to use for all public case record searches; no account registration is required.
- Indiana Incarcerated Database — The Indiana Department of Correction incarcerated person search is available to the public at no charge.
- In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect records at the Dubois County Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours without incurring a fee; charges apply only when copies are requested.
- Dubois County Sheriff's Office jail roster — Where available online, the current jail roster is accessible at no cost.
Fees do apply for the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search, which currently charges a per-search fee for electronic results. Certified copies of court documents also carry a per-page fee established by the clerk's office.
What's Included in a Dubois County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record maintained by Dubois County agencies and the State of Indiana may contain the following categories of information:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, local police department)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Jail facility where the individual was held
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Circuit or Superior Court)
- Filing date and case type
- Charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Entered plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting attorney information
- Hearing and trial dates
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details, including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole terms and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI or DWI notations
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Dubois County Keep Criminal Records?
Dubois County and the State of Indiana maintain criminal records according to retention schedules established under state law and administrative rule. Under current Indiana law, the Indiana Commission on Public Records sets mandatory retention periods for government documents, including criminal justice records.
General retention periods applicable to Dubois County criminal records include:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the court and the Indiana State Police
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final disposition
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of 5 years, subject to expungement eligibility under Indiana Code § 35-38-9
- Jail booking records: Retained for a minimum of 3 to 5 years depending on the nature of the offense
- Court case files (felony): Retained permanently
- Court case files (misdemeanor): Retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 23, after which they may be destroyed, subject to court order
The Indiana Commission on Public Records publishes the official retention schedule applicable to county-level criminal justice agencies. Records subject to an active expungement petition or court order are governed by the specific terms of that order, and agencies are required to restrict access accordingly upon receipt of a certified expungement order.