Mishawaka Criminal History Search
Criminal history records in Mishawaka are filed through the St. Joseph County court system and maintained by the Mishawaka Police Department. Mishawaka sits right next to South Bend in northern Indiana with roughly 51,000 residents. The two cities share a county, so all criminal cases from Mishawaka go to the St. Joseph County Clerk in South Bend. You can search these records online for free through the state court portal. The Mishawaka Police Department keeps its own arrest and incident reports for cases within city limits.
Mishawaka Quick Facts
St. Joseph County Clerk and Mishawaka Cases
The St. Joseph County Clerk of the Circuit Court holds all official criminal records for Mishawaka. The clerk's office is at the St. Joseph County Courthouse in South Bend, a short drive from Mishawaka. Every felony, misdemeanor, and infraction case from Mishawaka gets filed there. You can search records, view case files, and request copies at the clerk's office.
St. Joseph County is one of the largest counties in Indiana with about 272,000 residents. The court system handles a high volume of cases each year from both South Bend and Mishawaka. Because of this, the clerk's office is well set up for public record requests. Staff can pull up cases by name or number. Bring a valid ID when you visit.
| Office | St. Joseph County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 S Main St South Bend, IN 46601 |
| Phone | (574) 235-9635 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Criminal records are public under Indiana law. IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, gives any person the right to view most government records, including court files. Sealed and expunged records are not available. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. Call ahead to ask about the current fees if you need copies of Mishawaka criminal case files from the St. Joseph County Clerk.
Search Mishawaka Criminal Records Online
MyCase is the free online court records tool from the Indiana courts. It covers all St. Joseph County cases, including those from Mishawaka. You search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show charges, filing dates, and case status. Some case documents are also viewable.
The St. Joseph County government also links to the state Odyssey case search system through their website at St. Joseph County Quick Links. This is the same data as MyCase, just another way to get to it.
MyCase pulls data from the Odyssey Case Management System. It covers over 400 trial courts statewide. For Mishawaka cases, the search returns results from the St. Joseph Superior and Circuit Courts. Not every document in a case will appear online. Older Mishawaka cases may not be in the electronic system at all.
Use the Indiana MyCase portal for a free search of Mishawaka criminal records.
For a statewide check, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search covers all 92 counties. The fee is $15.70 by credit card. It pulls felony and Class A misdemeanor records. This is useful when someone who lived in Mishawaka may also have records in other counties. Submit the request at ISP Limited Criminal History. The search is authorized under IC 10-13-3, which governs criminal history data in Indiana.
Mishawaka Police Department Records
The Mishawaka Police Department handles law enforcement within the city. When officers make an arrest or respond to a call, they create a report. These police records are separate from court files. They include arrest reports, incident reports, and case notes.
| Department | Mishawaka Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N Church St Mishawaka, IN 46544 |
| Phone | (574) 258-1678 |
To get a copy of a police report from Mishawaka, call the department at (574) 258-1678 or visit their office on Church Street. Under IC 5-14-3, most police reports are public after the investigation is done. Active cases may limit what gets released. The department can tell you the cost for copies and the best way to get them. For incidents that happen outside city limits but still in St. Joseph County, the county sheriff's office at (574) 235-9611 handles those.
Note: Crash reports from Mishawaka are available separately through the department or through online vendors.
Statewide Criminal History from Mishawaka
Indiana State Police run the central repository for criminal history records. The ISP CJIS Section collects data from all counties. Under IC 10-13-3, this data includes arrests, charges, and court outcomes for felonies and Class A misdemeanors statewide. For Mishawaka residents who need records from outside St. Joseph County, this is the best option.
You can reach ISP criminal history staff at 317-232-8262 or by email at CriminalHistory@isp.IN.gov. The online Limited Criminal History check is the fastest route. Results come as a PDF that expires after 14 days. Save or print the record right away. A search costs $15.70 with a credit card. The ISP also offers a more detailed search by mail for people who need a deeper look. Visit ISP Criminal History Services for all the options.
Mishawaka residents can file for expungement under IC 35-38-9. This law lets some criminal records be sealed or removed from public view. You file a petition with the St. Joseph County court. Misdemeanors may qualify after five years. Felonies have longer wait periods, and some do not qualify at all. The clerk at 101 S Main St in South Bend has the forms. Once a record is expunged, it will not appear on MyCase or in ISP checks.
Mishawaka Criminal History Legal Help
Indiana Legal Services covers the Mishawaka area and offers free legal help to people who meet income guidelines. They can assist with criminal record questions, expungement, and related issues.
The St. Joseph County Public Defender's Office represents people who face criminal charges in Mishawaka and cannot afford a lawyer. The court appoints a public defender if you qualify based on income. For private attorneys, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a referral line that connects you with criminal defense lawyers in the South Bend and Mishawaka area. The St. Joseph County government website at sjcindiana.gov has links to local court resources and contact information for county offices.
St. Joseph County Criminal History Records
Mishawaka is in St. Joseph County. All criminal filings from Mishawaka go through the St. Joseph County courts in South Bend. For more on the county court system, fees, and related record sources, visit the St. Joseph County criminal history page.
Nearby Cities
Other Indiana cities with criminal history pages on this site: