Access Columbus Criminal History
Criminal history records in Columbus are managed by the Bartholomew County Clerk and the Columbus Police Department. Columbus is the county seat of Bartholomew County with about 52,000 residents. It sits about 40 miles south of Indianapolis along Interstate 65. All criminal cases from Columbus are filed at the Bartholomew County Courthouse right in the city. The clerk keeps official court files, and the police department holds arrest and incident reports. You can search records online through the state MyCase system or go to the courthouse in person.
Columbus Quick Facts
Columbus Criminal History at the County Clerk
The Bartholomew County Clerk of the Circuit Court holds all official criminal case records for Columbus. Since Columbus is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the city. You do not need to drive to another town. The clerk handles felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions from Columbus and the rest of Bartholomew County.
| Office | Bartholomew County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 234 Washington St Columbus, IN 47201 |
| Phone | (812) 379-1600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Walk in with a valid photo ID and staff can search criminal records by name or case number. You can view case files and request copies. Certified copies carry an extra fee. Plain copies cost less. Most criminal records are public under IC 5-14-3. Sealed or expunged records will not be available. Call (812) 379-1600 to ask about current copy fees before you make the trip to the Columbus courthouse.
Search Columbus Criminal Records Online
MyCase is the free online tool from the Indiana courts. It covers all Bartholomew County criminal cases, including those from Columbus. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show case type, charges, filing dates, and current status. Some documents from the case file are also viewable online.
The Indiana MyCase portal is run by the state courts and gives free public access to Columbus criminal case data.
Not every document in a case shows up on MyCase. Older cases from Columbus may not be in the electronic system. For the full record, go to the clerk at 234 Washington St in Columbus. The system updates regularly, but there can be a day or two between a filing and when it appears online.
For a statewide check, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search covers all 92 counties. The fee is $15 per person. Submit the request online and get results by email. This is useful for people who may have records in counties other than Bartholomew. Visit ISP Limited Criminal History to start the process. The search is authorized under IC 10-13-3.
Columbus Police Department Records
The Columbus Police Department handles arrests and law enforcement in the city. When someone gets arrested in Columbus, the police create a report. These reports are kept by the department, separate from court files. To get a copy of an arrest or incident report, contact the police.
| Department | Columbus Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 123 Washington St Columbus, IN 47201 |
| Phone | (812) 376-2600 |
Police reports are generally public under IC 5-14-3. Active investigations may limit what the department can release. Once a case closes, the full report is usually available. Call (812) 376-2600 to ask about a specific Columbus police report. Note that the police station and the courthouse are both on Washington St in Columbus, just a block apart, so you can visit both in one trip if you need records from each.
Criminal History Expungement in Columbus
Indiana's expungement statute (IC 35-38-9) allows some criminal records to be sealed or removed from public databases. Columbus residents file a petition with the Bartholomew County court. The clerk at 234 Washington St has the forms you need. Eligibility depends on the offense type and the time since the case closed.
Misdemeanor convictions may qualify sooner than felonies. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction are eligible under certain rules. Once a record is expunged, it will not show up on MyCase or in an ISP check. The process takes several weeks. There is a filing fee for the petition. If you need help figuring out whether your Columbus record qualifies, talk to a criminal defense attorney or contact Indiana Legal Services for free help if you meet their income requirements.
Columbus Criminal History Legal Resources
Indiana Legal Services provides free legal aid to qualifying residents in Bartholomew County. They can help with criminal record issues, including expungement petitions. The Bartholomew County Public Defender's Office represents people who face criminal charges and cannot afford an attorney.
The Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects you with criminal law attorneys in the Columbus area. The Bartholomew County Law Library at the courthouse has self-help materials and court forms for people who want to handle matters on their own. Staff can point you to resources but cannot give legal advice.
Bartholomew County Criminal History Records
Columbus is the county seat of Bartholomew County. All criminal cases from Columbus go through the Bartholomew County court. For more on the county court, fees, and related records, visit the Bartholomew County page.
Nearby Cities
These Indiana cities also have criminal history pages on this site: