East Chicago Criminal History
Criminal history records for East Chicago are managed by the Lake County Clerk's Office and the East Chicago Police Department. East Chicago has about 28,000 residents and is located in the northwest part of Indiana, right on the Lake Michigan shore near the Illinois border. All criminal cases from East Chicago go through the Lake County court system. The main courthouse is in Crown Point, the county seat. You can search for criminal records from East Chicago online through MyCase or in person at the clerk's office.
East Chicago Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk and East Chicago Cases
The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all criminal case files for East Chicago. Lake County is the second largest county in Indiana. The main courthouse is in Crown Point, roughly 20 miles south of East Chicago. Criminal records are available for in-person searches during business hours.
| Office | Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2293 N Main St Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Phone | (219) 755-3000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
You need a photo ID. Staff can search records by name or case number. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. Criminal records from East Chicago are public under the Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) unless a court sealed them or the person got an expungement under IC 35-38-9. The Lake County Superior Court sits at the same address and handles most criminal cases for the county.
The Lake County Superior Court page shows how the court system handles criminal cases in the county.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is also at 2293 N Main St in Crown Point. Their phone number is (219) 755-3348. The sheriff handles incidents in unincorporated areas and may have records for events outside East Chicago city limits but still in Lake County.
Search East Chicago Criminal Records Online
The Indiana MyCase portal covers all of Lake County, including East Chicago. It is free. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show case type, charges, status, and hearing dates. Some documents can be viewed in the system. The portal runs on the Odyssey case management platform that all Indiana courts use.
East Chicago cases show up under Lake County in the system. MyCase is not the official court record and may have errors or delays in data. Older cases from East Chicago might not appear in the electronic system. For the official record, go to the clerk in person. Indiana courts handle more than 2 million cases each year across the state through Odyssey.
For a statewide search, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History check costs $15.70 online. This covers felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrests from all 92 counties. Results come as a PDF that expires in 14 days. Save or print it right away. A "No Records Found" response is still charged.
East Chicago Police Department Records
The East Chicago Police Department covers law enforcement inside the city. Arrests and incidents in East Chicago generate police reports that the department keeps. These records are separate from the court files at the Lake County Clerk's Office.
| Department | East Chicago Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 2301 E Columbus Dr East Chicago, IN 46312 |
| Phone | (219) 391-8300 |
Police reports are generally public once a case is closed under IC 5-14-3. Active investigations may be exempt from disclosure. Call (219) 391-8300 to ask about a specific report. The department will explain how to submit a records request and what fees apply. It may take a few business days to process your request for copies of East Chicago police records.
Expungement Options in East Chicago
Indiana Code 35-38-9 allows people to petition for expungement of certain criminal records. East Chicago residents file these petitions with the Lake County court in Crown Point. The type of offense and time since the case ended both affect eligibility. Misdemeanors generally qualify before felonies. Some serious felonies cannot be expunged.
When the court grants an expungement, the record is removed from public view. It will not appear on MyCase or in ISP searches after that. File the petition at the Lake County Clerk's Office, pay the filing fee, and wait for the judge to review your case. The forms are on the Indiana courts website. Indiana Legal Services can offer free help for income-eligible residents of East Chicago. A criminal defense attorney in the area can also advise you on whether your specific case qualifies.
Note: Expungement filings in Lake County go through the same clerk's office in Crown Point that handles all other East Chicago criminal case paperwork.
Indiana State Police Checks from East Chicago
The Indiana State Police is the central repository for criminal history information in Indiana under IC 10-13-3. Their criminal history services include both the Limited Criminal History online check and the fingerprint-based check. The online check is $15.70. The fingerprint check costs $38.20 and includes both state and FBI records.
For the fingerprint-based check, you visit an IdentoGo location to get printed. Results typically come back in 72 to 96 hours. East Chicago residents should check the IdentoGo site for the nearest location in the northwest Indiana area. Misuse of criminal history data from the ISP is a Class A misdemeanor under IC 10-13-3-27. The ISP can be reached at 317-232-8262 for questions.
Lake County Criminal History Records
East Chicago is in Lake County. All criminal cases from East Chicago go through the Lake County courts in Crown Point. For more on the county system, fees, and resources, see the Lake County page.
Nearby Cities
Other Indiana cities near East Chicago with criminal history pages: