Clinton County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clinton County in 2026
ClintonINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records in Clinton County, Indiana. Members of the public seeking criminal record data may find information pertaining to arrests, court case filings, charges, dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and incarceration status. The following record categories are among those that may be accessible through official and third-party channels:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Warrant records
- Probation and parole status
Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Clinton County Circuit Court and Superior Court maintain case files for criminal matters adjudicated within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Clerk of Courts office located in the Clinton County Courthouse.
Clinton County Clerk of Courts
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041
Phone: (765) 659-6335
Clinton County - Indiana Judicial Branch
In-person requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office.
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
301 E. Clinton Street
Frankfort, IN 46041
Phone: (765) 659-6023
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records are available upon written request. Fees may apply for copies of records. The Sheriff's Office processes requests during regular business hours.
3. Online Court Search
The Indiana Judicial Branch operates the Indiana public court records portal, which allows members of the public to search case information by name, case number, or cause number. Users should enter the subject's full legal name and select Clinton County as the jurisdiction. The portal reflects case data as entered by the clerk's office and may not include all historical records predating electronic filing systems.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Indiana State Police maintains the state's criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a request for a limited criminal history search through the Indiana State Police online portal. The limited criminal history contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests within Indiana. Fingerprint-based background checks are available for employment and licensing purposes and require submission through an authorized channeler. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, the online limited criminal history search carries a fee of $16.32.
Indiana State Police – Criminal History
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-8266
Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Clinton County Clerk of Courts at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, public agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed seven days.
What Is Clinton County Criminal Records
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In Indiana, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, beginning at the point of arrest and continuing through prosecution, adjudication, and any subsequent supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody and does not, by itself, indicate guilt or conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or trial verdict. Felony records pertain to offenses classified under Indiana law as Level 1 through Level 6 felonies, while misdemeanor records cover Class A, B, and C misdemeanor offenses. Juvenile records are subject to separate statutory protections and are sealed from public access under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2, which restricts disclosure of juvenile court records. Active warrant records reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's arrest and are distinct from historical arrest records.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Clinton County include:
- Clinton County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Clinton County Circuit and Superior Courts – court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Indiana State Police Criminal History Repository – statewide criminal history data
- Frankfort Police Department – local arrest and incident records
Records are created when law enforcement submits arrest data to the court and to the state repository. The Clinton County court system updates case information as proceedings advance, including charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing, and any subsequent probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Clinton County
Criminal records in Clinton County are public records under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq. Under current law, adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public. As stated in the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, "a fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government is that government is the servant of the people and not their master."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult arrest records, criminal court filings, conviction records, sentencing orders, and sex offender registry information. Records that are restricted from public access include ongoing criminal investigations, sealed court records, expunged records, juvenile records, victim and witness identifying information in certain cases, and records subject to court-ordered confidentiality.
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Indiana's public records law. The Indiana Attorney General's office provides guidance on the scope of public access rights under state law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clinton County Online?
Official County Resources
The Clinton County - Indiana Judicial Branch page provides contact information and links to local court resources. Members of the public may search court case information through the Indiana Judicial Branch's public records portal. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office website may publish a current jail roster reflecting individuals held in the county detention facility.
State-Level Resources
The Indiana Judicial Branch maintains a statewide public court records search tool that includes Clinton County case data. The Indiana State Police operates the limited criminal history search portal for statewide criminal background inquiries. The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry allows searches by county and provides information on registered offenders residing in Clinton County. The Indiana SAVIN offender search tool allows members of the public to locate individuals in the custody of the Indiana Department of Correction by name or cause number.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Searching by case number or cause number yields the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types
- Be aware that records predating electronic systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic case management systems may not be digitized. Online searches do not constitute an official background check and are not a substitute for a certified criminal history report from the Indiana State Police.
Can You Search Clinton County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Inspection of criminal court records at the Clinton County Clerk of Courts office is available at no cost during regular business hours. Copying fees apply to reproductions of records.
2. Free Online Databases: The Indiana Judicial Branch's public court records portal is accessible at no charge. The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry and the Indiana SAVIN offender search tool are also available to the public without a fee.
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Clinton County Sheriff's Office may make daily arrest and booking reports available to the public. Members of the public may inquire directly with the Sheriff's Office regarding the availability of these logs.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page (standard) |
| State limited criminal history (online) | $16.32 |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Varies by channeler |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Varies |
State Fee Law
Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8 governs the fees agencies may charge for copies of public records. Under current law, agencies may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the agency.
What's Included in a Clinton County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the detention facility.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number and cause number, the court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony level or misdemeanor class), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
A criminal record may also reflect outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status as maintained through the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry, DUI/OWI entries, and pending charges.
NOT Included
The following are not reflected in publicly accessible criminal records:
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under Indiana law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion programs where records have been sealed
- Charges dismissed without conviction (in certain circumstances)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the Indiana State Police or the originating court. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Clinton County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Indiana's record retention schedules, established under the authority of the Indiana Commission on Public Records, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. Courts are required to follow the retention schedules approved by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed/acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18 or upon petition; subject to destruction per statute |
| Pending cases | Retained until resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain criminal case files on a permanent basis in accordance with Indiana Supreme Court retention rules. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the county's approved retention schedule. The Indiana State Police criminal history repository retains conviction records on a permanent basis, as reflected through the limited criminal history system.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with the applicable retention schedule.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access to a record without eliminating it from agency systems. Expungement, available under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, results in the restriction of a criminal record from public access and, in certain circumstances, the limitation of its use in subsequent proceedings. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction or arrest, and the individual's subsequent criminal history. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic case management systems may require special requests to the Clinton County Clerk of Courts or to the Indiana State Archives. Some older records exist only in paper form and require in-person inspection.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and are retained separately from state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from Indiana's requirements.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on an individual's record and appear on background checks unless expunged. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act reflect criminal history within the timeframes permitted by that statute, which at present limits reporting of most non-conviction information to seven years. Professional licensing boards in Indiana may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.