Clay County Criminal History Search
Clay County criminal history records are kept at the Clerk's Office and Sheriff's Office in Brazil, Indiana. The county has a population near 26,000. Criminal cases go through the Clay County circuit court, and the Clerk maintains all official case files. You can look up criminal history records in person at the courthouse in Brazil, or search online through the state court records system. The Sheriff also handles arrest data that feeds into the state criminal history database.
Clay County Quick Facts
Clay County Clerk Criminal Records
The Clay County Clerk's Office at 609 E National Ave in Brazil keeps all criminal court records for the county. Phone (812) 448-9024. The Clerk handles case filings, stores documents, and collects court fees and fines. This office is the official source for criminal case records in Clay County, and it is where you go to get copies of charging documents, sentencing orders, and other case papers.
To search criminal history records at the Clay County Clerk's Office, visit in person during business hours. You will need the name of the person you are looking for. A case number makes the search faster. The Clerk can pull up case files and make copies for you. Under IC 5-14-3, criminal court records are generally public in Clay County. You can ask for them without giving a reason. The only records you cannot get are ones that have been sealed by a judge under IC 35-38-9.
| Address | 609 E National Ave, Brazil, IN 47834 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (812) 448-9024 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Note: For certified copies of Clay County criminal records, the Clerk may charge a small fee per page.
Clay County Sheriff's Office
The Clay County Sheriff's Office is at 611 E Jackson St in Brazil. Call (812) 446-2535. The Sheriff handles law enforcement and maintains arrest records for the county. All arrest data is reported to the Indiana State Police under IC 10-13-3 to be added to the statewide criminal history database.
If you need arrest records from Clay County, contact the Sheriff. Arrest records show that a person was taken into custody along with the charges and date. They do not show the court outcome. A person who was arrested may have had their charges dropped, been found not guilty, or been convicted. Only the court records at the Clerk's Office show what happened after the arrest. For a full criminal history picture in Clay County, you should check both the Sheriff's arrest records and the Clerk's court files.
The Sheriff's Office also handles incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement records in Clay County. These are separate from criminal history data, but the Sheriff can point you in the right direction for whatever you need.
| Address | 611 E Jackson St, Brazil, IN 47834 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (812) 446-2535 |
Search Clay County Criminal History Online
You can search Clay County criminal history online through two main tools. MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase is free and shows court case data from Indiana's Odyssey system. Search by name or case number. You will see charges, hearing dates, and case status for Clay County criminal cases. The results are not official court records. They can have errors. But MyCase is the quickest way to check if someone has a criminal case in Clay County without making a trip to Brazil.
The paid option is the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch. This costs $15.70 by credit card and covers felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrests from all Indiana counties including Clay. The result is a PDF. Print or save it right away because it expires in 14 days. A "No Records Found" result is still a completed search with the full charge. The ISP criminal history services page explains the process in detail.
The ISP FAQ page answers common questions about what the limited criminal history search covers and how it works for Clay County residents.
Criminal History Laws in Clay County
Indiana statutes control how criminal history records work in Clay County. IC 5-14-3 is the Access to Public Records Act. It says the public has a right to government records. Most criminal case files are open. IC 10-13-3 governs criminal history information specifically. Under IC 10-13-3-27, access to criminal histories is allowed only in certain situations. Misuse is a Class A misdemeanor.
IC 35-38-9 covers sealing and expungement. If you have a criminal record in Clay County, you may be able to petition the court to seal it. Not all crimes qualify. The judge reviews the petition and decides based on the offense type and time since conviction. IC 24-4-18-6 sets rules for how certain providers can share criminal background data. These laws apply across all Indiana counties, including Clay County.
State Resources for Clay County
The Indiana State Police central repository holds criminal history data from all 92 counties. For records from Clay County that have been sent to the state, contact the ISP at 317-232-8262 or email CriminalHistory@isp.IN.gov. The office is at 100 N. Senate Avenue, Suite N340, Indianapolis. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern.
- ISP Criminal History: in.gov/isp/criminal-history-services
- MyCase: public.courts.in.gov/mycase
- Odyssey: in.gov/courts/admin/tech/odyssey
- APRA: indy.gov/activity/access-to-public-records-act
Cities in Clay County
Clay County includes Brazil, Knightsville, Clay City, Harmony, and Staunton. All criminal cases go through the Clay County court system in Brazil. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a separate page on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Clay County. Make sure you search the right county for any criminal history records you need.