Decatur County Criminal History

Decatur County criminal history records are managed by the clerk's office at the courthouse in Greensburg, Indiana. The county has a population of roughly 26,500 and is located in the southeastern part of the state. Criminal cases filed in Decatur County go through the Circuit Court, and the clerk keeps all related documents on file. Whether you want to check an old arrest, verify a court outcome, or get copies of case papers, the clerk's office is the place to start. State online tools also cover Decatur County for those who prefer to search from home.

Decatur County Clerk Criminal Records

The Decatur County Clerk is the official record keeper for all courts in the county. Criminal case files, including felonies and misdemeanors, are stored at this office. The clerk files new cases, maintains existing records, and provides copies to the public. Staff use the statewide Odyssey case management system to track all cases.

Visit the clerk at 150 Courthouse Square in Greensburg or call (812) 663-8223. Provide the person's full name or a case number, and staff can look up the record. Paper copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies are available for a slightly higher charge and are stamped with the court's official seal. These are sometimes needed for legal matters. The clerk can also tell you the current status of a case, whether it is still active, was dismissed, or resulted in a conviction. For older Decatur County cases, some files may still be in paper form and not yet digitized.

Decatur County Sheriff and Booking Records

The Decatur County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and keeps booking records for the county jail. The office is at 119 E Main Street in Greensburg. When a person is arrested, the sheriff creates a record with the charge, date, and personal information. You can contact the sheriff at (812) 663-8125 to ask about arrest data or jail logs.

Booking records from the sheriff's office are not the same as court files from the clerk. They show what happened at the time of arrest but not what happened in court after that. To get the full story of a criminal case in Decatur County, check both the sheriff and the clerk. Some booking data may be restricted if the case is still under investigation. Indiana law at IC 10-13-3 governs access to law enforcement criminal history data.

Note: The sheriff's office may also provide information on active warrants in Decatur County upon request.

How to Search Decatur County Criminal History Online

Two state-run systems cover Decatur County criminal records and make it easy to search from anywhere with internet access.

MyCase is the free online court records system. It covers all Indiana counties, including Decatur County. You can search by name, case number, or attorney name. Results show criminal charges, court dates, and case outcomes. The system pulls data from the Odyssey platform used by all Indiana courts. While MyCase is a great starting point, it is not an official court record. For certified documents, you need to go through the Decatur County Clerk.

The ISP Limited Criminal History search is the paid option from the Indiana State Police. It costs $15.70 per search with a credit card. The search returns felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest records from Indiana. Results come as a PDF. The PDF stays active for 14 days after you run the search. Even if the search comes back with no records, you still pay the fee. How complete the results are depends on county reporting to the state database.

The ISP Limited Criminal History portal lets you search Decatur County and statewide criminal records for a fee.

Decatur County Record Access and Privacy Laws

Criminal court records in Decatur County are public under Indiana law. The Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 says anyone can ask to see government records. You do not have to be a party to the case or give a reason for your request. Just go to the clerk's office or use the online tools to search.

Certain records are exceptions. Sealed and expunged cases will not show up. Juvenile records are closed to the public in most situations. Records from active law enforcement investigations may be held back by the Decatur County Sheriff under IC 10-13-3. This law also sets rules for criminal history data that law enforcement agencies share. Under IC 10-13-3-27, misusing this data is a Class A misdemeanor. Anyone who runs a search through the ISP system must use the results for a lawful purpose.

Expunging Criminal Records in Decatur County

Indiana's expungement statute at IC 35-38-9 allows some people to petition for removal of their criminal record. The request goes to the court that handled the original case. For Decatur County, that is the Circuit Court in Greensburg. A judge reviews the petition and considers the type of offense, the time that has passed, and the person's record since then.

Arrests that did not lead to conviction can be expunged right away. Misdemeanor convictions require a five-year waiting period. Certain felonies may be eligible after eight years or more. Violent crimes and sex offenses are usually excluded. Once the court grants an expungement in Decatur County, the clerk takes the record out of public view and the ISP updates the state database. The record will also stop showing on MyCase.

• Non-conviction arrests are eligible immediately
• Misdemeanors need five years from conviction
• Level 6 felonies may be eligible after eight years
• Only one petition is allowed per lifetime

Note: Legal aid groups in southeastern Indiana can help with expungement petitions if you meet income qualifications.

Decatur County Court and Criminal Cases

Decatur County has a Circuit Court that handles all criminal cases. This is the county's main trial court. Felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions are all heard here. The judge enters orders that become part of the permanent case file. These files are kept by the Decatur County Clerk and available for public review.

Since there is only one trial court in Decatur County, all criminal records are in one place. You do not need to check multiple courts to do a full search. The Odyssey system ties all case data together. Whether a case involved a traffic infraction or a serious felony, the clerk's office has the file. This makes Decatur County a straightforward place to search for criminal history compared to larger counties with several courts and divisions.

Cities in Decatur County

Greensburg is the county seat and largest city in Decatur County. Other communities include Westport, St. Paul, and New Point. All criminal cases from these towns are filed at the Decatur County Circuit Court in Greensburg. None of the cities in Decatur County have a separate city page, but all their criminal records are accessible through the county clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Decatur County. Criminal records are kept in the county where the case was filed, so check the right location before you search.