Indiana Public Records /Indiana Court Records Online

Indiana Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Indiana Open to the Public?

Yes, court records in Indiana are open to the public as mandated by state laws. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act ensures that any documented information created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency is accessible to the public. To obtain these records, requesters must provide specific details such as the case number, the names of the parties involved, and other pertinent information to facilitate the search.

Requesters may also need to present a valid form of identification and pay any applicable fees to obtain copies of court records. The fees typically cover the cost of searching and making copies of the records sought.

What Information Appears in an Indiana Court Records Search?

An Indiana court records search typically includes:

Documents of court orders
Case files
Court transcripts
Legal documents
Judgments

How To Find Court Records in Indiana

To find court records in Indiana, the first step is to identify the type of record required and the court where the record is located. Once identified, contact the court's record custodian. For example, the Clerk of the Appellate Courts is the custodian for Indiana's Appellate Courts.

You can visit the court in person, write a mail-in request, or in some cases, access the records online. Contact information for the court can be obtained from the state judiciary’s online court directory. Fees for copies of court records are typically $1 per page, with certified copies costing $2 per page.

Public Access to Indiana Court Records

Court records for Trial Courts in Indiana are maintained by the respective offices of the Clerks of Court. These records are accessible to the public, promoting transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Requesters may need to provide details of the case and pay any applicable fees to obtain copies of these records.

Searching Indiana Court Records by Name

Indiana court records can be searched by name through the Indiana Courts Case Records Portal. This allows users to provide the full name or business name of organizations involved in the case. Additional search criteria include the party's date of birth, court location, and case type.

For in-person searches, visit the courthouse where the case was heard and provide the name of the party being searched to the clerk. Applicable fees must be paid to access the records. For mail-in requests, write to the courthouse with the name of the person being searched, the type of court case, and any applicable fees. The court will mail the records to the provided address.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Indiana

Court records can be accessed online for free through various platforms. The PACER system provides access to federal court records, with a fee of $0.10 per page, but fee exemptions are available for eligible individuals.

State and local court portals often provide free or nominal fee access to case dockets, summaries, and court decisions. Additionally, third-party aggregate websites offer centralized access to court records from multiple sources, though accuracy and completeness may vary.

Exemptions for Indiana Court Case Lookup

Certain information is exempt from public disclosure according to Indiana Rule 5 of Access to Court Records:

Information required by law to be kept confidential, such as juvenile delinquency records and certain adoption records
Information deemed confidential by court order, such as trade secrets or privileged commercial information
Information that could compromise the safety or security of individuals or the court
Information related to mental health, substance abuse treatment, and other medical treatment
Information that would reveal the identity of a victim of certain crimes or be subject to attorney-client privilege

These exemptions ensure that sensitive information is protected while maintaining public access to other court records.

Finding a Court Docket in Indiana

An Indiana court docket is an official record of court proceedings, including scheduled hearings and case statuses. The clerk of court maintains these dockets, which are public records. They can be searched online through the Indiana MyCase portal or in person at the clerk's office in the relevant county.

To access a court docket, provide the case number or the names of the parties involved. The court may charge a fee for copies of the docket, which can be paid using various methods such as cash, money orders, or credit cards.

What Information Is Found in Indiana Judgment Records?

Indiana judgment records contain:

The litigants' names
The judge's name
The specific claims of the parties involved
The issued judgment

These records provide a comprehensive account of the court's decision and are available to the public per the Indiana Access to Public Records Act.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Indiana Publicly Accessible?

Yes, bankruptcy records in Indiana are publicly accessible. According to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), anyone can access these records unless protected by law or a court order. Requesters must provide the debtor's name, case number, and other relevant details to facilitate the search.

Bankruptcy records may include information about the debtor's income, assets, debts owed, and amounts for each creditor. These records can be obtained by querying the relevant government agency.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Indiana

Bankruptcy records can be searched through the US Bankruptcy Clerk's Office, which provides public access terminals for case searches. Requesters can visit the appropriate courthouse to submit a record request and obtain printed copies for $0.10 per page. Written requests can also be submitted to the Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office.

Alternatively, the PACER system allows for electronic access to bankruptcy records. Registration for a PACER account is free, but there is a fee of $0.10 per page to view documents. Once registered, individuals can search for bankruptcy cases using the debtor's name or case number.

Different Types of Courts in Indiana

Indiana's state courts include:

Supreme Court of Indiana
Court of Appeals of Indiana
Indiana Tax Court
Circuit Courts
Superior Courts
City or Town Courts

These courts handle various types of cases, with appellate courts reviewing decisions from trial courts.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Indiana

Civil matters, including small claims, generally fall under the jurisdiction of Circuit and Superior Courts. Indiana Small Claims Courts handle civil matters involving amounts not exceeding $6,000, except in Marion County, where the limit is $8,000.

City and Town Courts are also authorized to handle small claims matters, with jurisdiction depending on the population of the area. Small claims courts are less formal and less expensive, and typically do not require an attorney's presence. Cases must be filed within specific time frames, depending on the nature of the claim.

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