Goshen Criminal History
Criminal history records in Goshen are managed by the Elkhart County Clerk's Office and the Goshen Police Department. Goshen is the county seat of Elkhart County and has about 35,000 residents. The city sits in northern Indiana, not far from South Bend and the Michigan border. All criminal cases from Goshen move through the Elkhart County court system. You can search these records online through MyCase, request copies from the clerk in person, or contact the Goshen police for arrest reports.
Goshen Quick Facts
Elkhart County Clerk and Goshen Records
The Elkhart County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all criminal case files for Goshen. Since Goshen is the county seat, the courthouse is right in town. You can go in during business hours and ask to search records by name or case number. The clerk keeps files for felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions from Goshen as well as the rest of Elkhart County, including the city of Elkhart.
| Office | Elkhart County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 N Main St Goshen, IN 46526 |
| Phone | (574) 523-2375 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Bring a photo ID when you visit. The staff can pull up records and make copies. Plain copies are cheaper. Certified copies cost more but some agencies need them. All criminal records in Goshen are public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) unless a judge sealed them or the defendant had them expunged under IC 35-38-9.
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office at 26851 CR 26, Elkhart, IN 46517 also keeps records for incidents in the county outside of city limits. Their number is (574) 523-2101. If you are unsure where the crime took place, call both offices to find out who has the file.
Search Goshen Criminal Records Online
The Indiana MyCase portal is the fastest way to search for criminal records from Goshen. The portal is free and run by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show charge details, case type, status, and hearing dates. Some court documents are viewable in the system as well.
Indiana courts use the Odyssey case management system across all 92 counties. This means the same portal covers Goshen, Elkhart, and every other city in the state. Over 2 million cases move through Indiana courts each year, and the Odyssey system links them all. One thing to keep in mind is that MyCase is not an official court record. It can have delays or small errors. Older Goshen cases might not show up in the electronic system.
For a broader search that goes beyond Elkhart County, use the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History check. It costs $15.70 online and covers felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrests from all Indiana counties. The result is a PDF. Print it or save it within 14 days because it expires after that. Even if the result says "No Records Found," you still get charged.
Note: The ISP Limited Criminal History search only covers felonies and Class A misdemeanors, so lower-level offenses from Goshen will not appear.
Goshen Police Department Records
The Goshen Police Department handles all law enforcement inside the city limits. Arrests and incidents create police reports that the department keeps on file. These are not the same as court records at the clerk's office.
| Department | Goshen Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 E Jefferson St Goshen, IN 46526 |
| Phone | (574) 533-8661 |
Police reports from Goshen are generally public once a case is closed. Active investigations may be withheld under IC 5-14-3. Call (574) 533-8661 for details on getting a copy of a specific report. There may be a small fee for copies. The department can explain the process over the phone or when you visit in person.
Expungement of Criminal Records in Goshen
Under IC 35-38-9, people in Goshen can petition the Elkhart County court to have criminal records expunged. The eligibility rules depend on the offense. Minor misdemeanors may qualify sooner. Certain felonies have longer wait periods, and some crimes are not eligible at all. Once the court grants the petition, the record is removed from public databases like MyCase and the ISP system.
You file the petition with the Elkhart County Clerk at 101 N Main St in Goshen. There is a filing fee. The judge reviews the case and makes a decision. Forms are available through the Indiana courts website. Indiana Legal Services offers free help for income-eligible residents who need assistance with the process. A local criminal defense lawyer in Goshen can also help you evaluate your case and guide you through the steps.
Statewide Criminal History Checks from Goshen
The Indiana State Police acts as the central repository for criminal history data in Indiana under IC 10-13-3. Their criminal history services page describes the different types of checks you can get. The Limited Criminal History check at $15.70 is the most common. A more complete fingerprint-based check through IdentoGo costs $38.20 and includes FBI records along with Indiana records.
Fingerprint results come back in about 72 to 96 hours for Indiana residents. Out-of-state applicants may wait 7 to 10 days. Misuse of the information from these checks is a Class A misdemeanor under IC 10-13-3-27. The ISP office is at 100 N. Senate Avenue, Suite N340, Indianapolis. You can call them at 317-232-8262 with questions about the process.
Elkhart County Criminal History Records
Goshen is the county seat of Elkhart County. All criminal cases from Goshen go through the Elkhart County courts. For more on the county system, fees, and resources, visit the Elkhart County page.
Nearby Cities
Other Indiana cities near Goshen with criminal history pages: