South Bend Criminal History Records
South Bend criminal history records are filed through the St. Joseph County Clerk of Courts. South Bend is the county seat and the largest city in St. Joseph County with about 103,000 people. The county clerk handles all criminal case files for the city. You can search records online through the statewide MyCase portal, run a criminal history search through the Indiana State Police, or visit the clerk's office in person. The South Bend Police Department keeps its own arrest and incident data as well.
South Bend Quick Facts
St. Joseph County Handles South Bend Criminal History
St. Joseph County manages all criminal court records for South Bend. The county clerk's office stores case files for felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions filed through the county courts. South Bend is the county seat, so the courthouse is in the city center.
| Office | St. Joseph County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 S Main St South Bend, IN 46601 |
| Phone | (574) 235-9635 |
| Website | sjcindiana.gov |
The clerk's office is in the St. Joseph County Courthouse on South Main Street. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours on weekdays. You can search for cases by name or case number. Staff will help you find records and make copies. Parking is available on nearby streets and in public lots around the courthouse area.
How to Search Criminal History in South Bend
There are several ways to search for criminal history records in South Bend. The best option depends on what you need.
MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase is a free tool that covers all Indiana courts. You can search for criminal cases filed in St. Joseph County by name or case number. It shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. No fee to use it.
The St. Joseph County Clerk's website has links to court resources for South Bend and the surrounding area.
This page on the county website shows the links and tools available for searching criminal records in the South Bend area through St. Joseph County.
The ISP Limited Criminal History portal at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch runs a statewide check. The fee is $15.70 per search. This searches the central repository maintained under IC 10-13-3 and covers arrests and convictions from across Indiana. It is more thorough than a single-county search if you need records beyond St. Joseph County.
For the most complete check, you can submit fingerprints to the ISP. This takes more time but catches records that name-based searches might miss. Contact the ISP at in.gov/isp/criminal-history-services for details on fingerprint-based searches.
South Bend Police Department Records
The South Bend Police Department keeps arrest records and incident reports for the city. These are separate from the court case files at the county clerk's office.
| Department | South Bend Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 W Sample St South Bend, IN 46601 |
| Phone | (574) 235-9201 |
Contact the police department for arrest reports and incident logs. Court records showing charges, pleas, and case outcomes are at the St. Joseph County Clerk's office. A full criminal history check for South Bend may require records from both places, plus the ISP if you need statewide data.
South Bend Criminal History Access Rules
Indiana law makes most criminal court records public. Under IC 5-14-3, you can request records from the St. Joseph County Clerk without explaining why. Sealed and expunged records are the exception.
The expungement process in Indiana is covered by IC 35-38-9. South Bend residents who want to seal a criminal record must file a petition in the St. Joseph County court that handled the original case. The court considers the type of offense, the time since conviction, and whether the sentence was completed. Some offenses have waiting periods from one to eight years. Certain serious crimes cannot be expunged at all.
The ISP online search fee is set at $15.70 under IC 10-13-3-27. Local copy fees at the St. Joseph County Clerk vary depending on the type of document. Call (574) 235-9635 for current rates on copies of South Bend criminal history records.
South Bend Criminal History Resources
Indiana Legal Services has an office serving the South Bend region. They provide free legal help to low-income residents, including assistance with expungement petitions. The St. Joseph County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service if you need an attorney for a records matter.
The clerk's office staff can help answer general questions about how to search records and what is on file for a specific case. For complex legal questions about criminal history in South Bend, talk to a lawyer who handles criminal defense or record-sealing cases in St. Joseph County.
St. Joseph County Criminal History Records
South Bend is in St. Joseph County. All criminal filings from the city go through the St. Joseph County court system. For more on county resources, fees, and related records, visit the St. Joseph County criminal history page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near South Bend where you can search criminal history records: