Dearborn County Public Records / Dearborn County Arrest Records

Dearborn County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dearborn County

Arrest records in Dearborn County, Indiana, are generally accessible to members of the public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA). Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3, public agencies are required to make records available for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies—including booking logs, incident reports, and jail rosters—are considered public records in most circumstances. However, Indiana law draws a meaningful distinction between an arrest record and a conviction record: an arrest reflects that an individual was taken into custody, while a conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. An arrest alone does not establish criminal liability, and records related to arrests that did not result in charges or that were dismissed may be subject to restricted access or expungement under applicable state law.

What's in Dearborn County Arrest Records

Dearborn County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and maintained by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office and related agencies.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Home address at time of arrest
Identification numbers (state ID, driver's license number)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Dearborn County Sheriff's Office, Lawrenceburg Police Department)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed
Indiana statute citation for each charge
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date
Facility where individual was processed
Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Case number assigned by the court
Scheduled court dates and hearing types
Assigned judge or magistrate

Custody Status:

Current incarceration status
Release date and release type (bond, time served, transfer)

Additional Information May Include:

Probation or parole status at time of arrest
Co-defendants listed in the same incident
Narrative summary from the arresting officer's report

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Dearborn County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Dearborn County arrest records through several official channels. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through online portals maintained by county and state agencies.

Dearborn County Sheriff's Office: Individuals may submit a public records request directly to the Sheriff's Office. Requests should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information. A nominal fee may apply for copies.
Dearborn County Clerk's Office: Court-related arrest and case records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours or submit a written request.
Indiana State Police (ISP) Limited Criminal History: The ISP provides access to limited criminal history records through its online portal. Requestors may search by name for a fee, or individuals may request their own records at no charge.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, agencies must respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours for inspection requests on business days.

Dearborn County Sheriff's Office 301 W High St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8800 Dearborn County Sheriff's Office

Dearborn County Clerk of the Circuit Court 215 W High St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8867 Dearborn County Clerk

Indiana State Police – Criminal History Records 100 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-8266 Indiana State Police

How To Find Dearborn County Arrest Records Online

Several official and government-affiliated online platforms provide access to Dearborn County arrest records without requiring an in-person visit.

Indiana Offender Search: The Indiana Department of Correction maintains the Indiana Offender Search portal, which allows members of the public to search for individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision in Indiana.
MyCase Indiana: The Indiana Office of Judicial Administration operates MyCase, a statewide court records portal. Users may search by name, case number, or county to locate arrest-related court filings and case dispositions.
Dearborn County Jail Roster: The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office may publish a current jail roster on its official website, listing individuals currently held at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.
Indiana Data Hub: The state's open data platform may include aggregated arrest and criminal justice statistics for Dearborn County.

Members of the public are advised to verify information obtained through online portals against official agency records, as online databases may not reflect the most current custody or case status.

How To Search Dearborn County Arrest Records for Free?

Several no-cost options are available for individuals seeking Dearborn County arrest records without incurring fees.

MyCase Indiana Portal: The Indiana courts public access portal provides free name-based searches of court records, including case filings associated with arrests.
Indiana Offender Search: The Department of Correction's offender search tool is available at no charge to the public.
In-Person Inspection: Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no cost. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Dearborn County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: If published online, the jail roster is typically available at no charge.
Self-Request for Own Records: Individuals requesting their own limited criminal history from the Indiana State Police may do so at no charge through the ISP's self-request process.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Dearborn County

Indiana law provides two primary legal mechanisms for addressing arrest records: expungement (permanent erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for certain authorized uses). These are distinct remedies with different eligibility criteria and legal effects.

Expungement results in the destruction or removal of the arrest record from public access. Under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records where no charges were filed, charges were dismissed, or the individual was acquitted. Expungement of conviction records is also available under specific conditions, including waiting periods and compliance with sentencing requirements.

Sealing restricts public access to a record without destroying it. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing agencies.

Eligibility Conditions for Expungement:

Arrest with no charges filed: Eligible immediately after the decision not to prosecute
Charges filed but dismissed or acquitted: Eligible after case resolution
Misdemeanor convictions: Generally eligible after five years from conviction date
Felony convictions: Eligibility depends on the class of felony and completion of sentence

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the arrest or court record from the Dearborn County Clerk's Office
Confirm eligibility under Indiana Code § 35-38-9
Complete the petition for expungement form available through the Indiana courts system
File the petition with the Dearborn County Circuit or Superior Court
Pay the applicable filing fee (waived for arrests without conviction in many cases)
Attend any scheduled hearing if required by the court
Upon court order, notify all relevant agencies to update their records

Dearborn County Circuit Court 215 W High St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8867 Dearborn County Courts

What Happens After Arrest in Dearborn County?

The criminal justice process in Dearborn County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center for booking. Booking includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information and charges.
Initial Hearing: Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a judge for an initial hearing. At this stage, the court advises the defendant of the charges, determines eligibility for appointed counsel, and sets bond.
Prosecutorial Review: The Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest report and determines whether to file formal charges, decline prosecution, or refer the matter for further investigation.
Arraignment: If charges are filed, the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: The case proceeds through discovery, pre-trial motions, and potential plea negotiations.
Trial or Plea: The case is resolved through a jury or bench trial, or through a negotiated plea agreement.
Sentencing: Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Indiana sentencing guidelines.
Appeals: The defendant retains the right to appeal the conviction or sentence to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office 215 W High St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-1040 Dearborn County Prosecutor

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Dearborn County?

Arrest records in Dearborn County are subject to retention schedules established under Indiana law and administered by individual agencies. The Indiana Commission on Public Records sets minimum retention periods for government records, including law enforcement and court records.

Arrest and Booking Records: Law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period, which may extend to several decades depending on the nature of the offense. Felony arrest records are typically retained longer than misdemeanor records.
Court Records: Case records maintained by the Dearborn County Clerk are subject to the Indiana Supreme Court's records retention schedule. Felony case records are commonly retained permanently or for extended periods.
Juvenile Records: Arrest records involving juveniles are subject to separate, more restrictive retention and access rules under Indiana law.
Expunged Records: Following a court-ordered expungement under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, agencies are required to destroy or restrict access to the relevant records within a specified timeframe.
Purpose of Retention: Records retention policies serve to preserve evidence for potential future proceedings, support accountability in the criminal justice system, and enable background check processes for employment and licensing purposes.

The Indiana Commission on Public Records provides official retention schedules applicable to county law enforcement and court agencies.

Indiana Commission on Public Records 402 W Washington St, Room W472, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-3380 Indiana Commission on Public Records

How to Find Mugshots in Dearborn County

What Mugshots Are Mugshots are standardized photographs taken at the time of booking, capturing the front and profile view of an arrested individual. They are part of the official booking record and are maintained by the arresting agency.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots in Dearborn County are maintained by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office at the Law Enforcement Center. The Indiana State Police may also retain booking photographs as part of an individual's criminal history record.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal public records request submitted to the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office. Requests should specify the individual's name, date of arrest, and booking number if known.

Can They Be Found Online The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office may publish current jail roster information, which in some cases includes booking photographs. Third-party websites may aggregate and republish mugshots; however, these sources are not official and may contain outdated or inaccurate information.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official mugshot requests are processed through the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office public records division. A per-page or per-image fee may apply in accordance with the agency's fee schedule.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with expunged records are no longer subject to public disclosure following a valid court order. Indiana law does not currently impose a blanket prohibition on the publication of mugshots by third-party websites, though legislative developments in this area continue to evolve.

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center 301 W High St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8800 Dearborn County Sheriff's Office