Bloomington Criminal History
Bloomington criminal history records are kept by the Monroe County Clerk of Courts and the Bloomington Police Department. The city has about 80,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Monroe County. Home to Indiana University, Bloomington sees a mix of local and campus-related cases each year. All criminal filings from the city go through the Monroe County court system. You can search those records online, request a check from the Indiana State Police, or go to the clerk's office in person to pull case files.
Bloomington Quick Facts
Monroe County Handles Bloomington Cases
All criminal cases in Bloomington are filed at the Monroe County courthouse. The county clerk keeps records for felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Since Bloomington is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the city on North College Avenue. You do not need to travel far to get to the clerk's office.
The clerk handles new case filings, stores court documents, and gives out copies. If you need to check on a pending case or get a certified copy of a court record in Bloomington, this is the place to go. Staff can search by name or case number. Walk-in service is available during regular hours. The clerk also issues arrest warrants, summonses, and subpoenas for cases filed in Monroe County.
| Office | Monroe County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N College Ave Bloomington, IN 47404 |
| Phone | (812) 349-2614 |
The courthouse is in downtown Bloomington near the town square. Metered street parking is available, and city bus routes serve the area. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to request copies of criminal history records in Bloomington. The clerk charges per page for copies, and certified copies cost more than plain ones.
Bloomington Police Department Records
The Bloomington Police Department keeps arrest records and incident reports for the city. If you need a copy of a police report or want to check on a local arrest, contact the department directly. Police records are separate from court case files.
| Department | Bloomington Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 E 3rd St Bloomington, IN 47401 |
| Phone | (812) 339-4477 |
The police department is on East 3rd Street in the city. Officers handle arrests, write incident reports, and keep booking data. For a full picture of criminal history in Bloomington, you may need records from both the police and the Monroe County Clerk. The police department holds arrest and incident data, while the clerk keeps the court case records with charges, plea details, and outcomes.
Note: Active investigation files are not released to the public in Bloomington.
How to Search Bloomington Criminal History
There are a few ways to search for criminal history records tied to Bloomington. Each method covers different kinds of data.
MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase is the free court records search for all Indiana courts. You can look up criminal cases filed in Monroe County by name or case number. It shows case status, charges, hearings, and final outcomes. There is no fee to search. This is the quickest way to find court case info for Bloomington without leaving home.
The Indiana State Police run the statewide Limited Criminal History portal at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch. This searches the central repository for criminal history data across all Indiana counties. The fee is $15.70 per search if you pay by credit card. Under IC 10-13-3, the ISP is the official keeper of state criminal history records. The search covers felonies and Class A misdemeanors only.
The ISP limited criminal history portal is shown below. You can start a search from this page and get results the same day in most cases.
Results from the ISP come back as a PDF. You must save or print the record right away. The PDF expires 14 days after the search is done. A result of "No Records Found" is still an official search result and you still pay the fee.
You can also visit the Monroe County Clerk in person to search criminal history records in Bloomington. Staff will pull case files and make copies. Bring a case number if you have one. Name searches work too but take a bit longer.
Bloomington Criminal History Laws
Indiana law controls who can access criminal history data. Court records in Bloomington are public under IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act. Anyone can request them. You do not need to state a reason.
The ISP criminal history system runs under IC 10-13-3. This chapter defines what goes into the central database and how the data is shared. The limited criminal history search covers felonies and Class A misdemeanors statewide. Completeness depends on how well each county reports its data. Monroe County participates in the state system, so Bloomington cases should show up in ISP searches.
If you have a conviction in Bloomington, you may be able to get records sealed. IC 35-38-9 covers the expungement process in Indiana. You file a petition in the court where the case was handled. Eligibility depends on the type of crime and how long ago it was. Misdemeanors have a shorter wait than felonies. Some crimes are not eligible for sealing at all. The Monroe County court can tell you if your case qualifies.
IC 10-13-3-27 sets the rules around access to criminal histories. Misuse of limited criminal history data is a Class A misdemeanor under Indiana law. This applies to anyone who gets records from the ISP system and uses them in ways the law does not allow.
Criminal Records and Indiana University
Bloomington is home to Indiana University. The campus brings in a large student population, which affects the types of cases filed in Monroe County. Many cases involve minor offenses. The IU Police Department handles matters on campus grounds, and those cases also go through the Monroe County court system.
If you need to check on a case that started on campus, you search the same way as any other Bloomington criminal history record. Use MyCase or visit the Monroe County Clerk. The IU Police Department is a separate agency from the Bloomington Police, but both feed into the same county court. Cases from either department end up in the same clerk's records.
Getting Criminal History Records in Bloomington
To get a copy of your own criminal history in Bloomington, the ISP online portal is the fastest option. Pay $15.70 and get results the same day. For a broader search, you can submit fingerprints to the ISP for a full criminal history report that includes FBI data. That costs $38.20 and takes longer.
At the Monroe County Clerk's office, you can request copies of court case files. The clerk charges per page. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (812) 349-2614 to ask about current copy fees before you visit. The Monroe County Sheriff's office at 301 N College Ave may also provide local criminal history checks. Call (812) 349-2780 to ask about their process and any fees.
Legal aid groups in the Bloomington area can help with criminal record issues. Indiana Legal Services has a regional office that covers Monroe County. They offer free help with expungement petitions for people who qualify based on income. The Monroe County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral program if you need to hire an attorney.
Note: Juvenile records in Bloomington are sealed and do not show up in public criminal history searches.
Monroe County Criminal History Records
Bloomington is in Monroe County, and all criminal filings go through the Monroe County courts. The county handles felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases for the city and surrounding areas. For more on the county court system, clerk details, and related records, visit the Monroe County criminal history page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Bloomington where you can search criminal history records: