Michigan City Criminal History Search
Criminal history records in Michigan City are managed through the La Porte County court system and the Michigan City Police Department. Michigan City has about 32,000 residents and sits on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana. All criminal cases from Michigan City are filed with the La Porte County Clerk in the city of La Porte. The La Porte County Sheriff also provides in-person criminal history checks at their office. You can search court records online or visit the clerk or sheriff in person to get the information you need.
Michigan City Quick Facts
Michigan City Criminal History at the Clerk
The La Porte County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all official criminal case records for Michigan City. The clerk's office is at the La Porte County Courthouse in the city of La Porte, about 12 miles south of Michigan City. All felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions from Michigan City are filed there.
| Office | La Porte County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 813 Lincolnway La Porte, IN 46350 |
| Phone | (219) 326-6808 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can search by name or case number. Copies are available for a fee, and certified copies cost more. Criminal records in Michigan City are public under IC 5-14-3 unless a judge sealed them or the person got an expungement. Call (219) 326-6808 to check the current fee schedule.
La Porte County Sheriff Criminal History Check
The La Porte County Sheriff's Office provides in-person criminal history checks at their front desk. This is a county-level criminal history only. You need a valid picture ID. The service runs Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Call (219) 326-7700 ext 2282 for details. This is a good option for Michigan City residents who want a quick local check without going through the state system.
The sheriff's check covers La Porte County records. It does not include records from other counties or federal cases. For a broader search, use the ISP statewide check. But if you just need to know about records in La Porte County where Michigan City sits, the sheriff's office is a fast and direct route.
Search Michigan City Criminal Records Online
The Indiana MyCase system is the best free online tool for looking up criminal records in Michigan City. It covers all La Porte County courts. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show charges, filing dates, and case status. Some court documents are available for viewing in the system.
MyCase is the free public search portal run by the Indiana courts, covering Michigan City criminal cases in La Porte County.
Not all documents show up online. Older cases from Michigan City may not be in the system. For the full file, visit the clerk in La Porte. MyCase is updated regularly, but there can be a short delay between filing and online display.
For a statewide search, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History check covers all 92 counties. The fee is $15. Submit your request at ISP Limited Criminal History and results come by email. This is helpful when someone may have records in counties beyond La Porte. The ISP search is governed by IC 10-13-3.
Michigan City Police Department Records
The Michigan City Police Department handles arrests and law enforcement within city limits. Police reports from Michigan City are separate from court records. To get an arrest or incident report, contact the department.
| Department | Michigan City Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1201 E Michigan Blvd Michigan City, IN 46360 |
| Phone | (219) 874-3221 |
Police reports are public records under IC 5-14-3 in most situations. Active investigations may restrict what the department releases. Once a case closes, the full report is usually available. Call (219) 874-3221 to ask about a specific report. The department can explain fees and how to pick up or receive copies of Michigan City police records.
Criminal History Expungement in Michigan City
Indiana law under IC 35-38-9 allows certain criminal records to be expunged. Michigan City residents file a petition with the La Porte County court. The clerk's office provides the needed forms. Whether you qualify depends on the offense type and how long ago the case ended.
Misdemeanor convictions have shorter waiting periods than felonies. Arrests without convictions may also qualify. Once a record is expunged, it will not appear in MyCase or ISP checks. The process takes several weeks after filing. There is a filing fee. Indiana Legal Services or a criminal defense attorney in La Porte County can help you determine if your Michigan City record qualifies for expungement.
La Porte County Criminal History Records
Michigan City is in La Porte County. All criminal cases from Michigan City go through the La Porte County court system. For more on the county court, fee schedules, and other records, see the La Porte County page.
Nearby Cities
These Indiana cities also have criminal history pages on this site: