Criminal records in Dearborn County, Indiana, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DearbornCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Dearborn County. Additional access points include the Indiana statewide court case search portal, the Indiana State Police criminal history repository, and the Dearborn County Clerk's Office in Lawrenceburg.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dearborn
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Dearborn County. Start with the approach that fits your situation.
Online Search Options
- DearbornCourt.us — Search for publicly available Dearborn County court record information, including criminal cases.
- MyCase (Indiana Courts Case Search) — The statewide Odyssey Public Access portal maintained by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. Search Dearborn County criminal cases by name, case number, or date range. The MyCase help page explains what records are available online under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3).
- Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History — Returns felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. This is a name-based search and does not require fingerprints.
- Indiana Department of Correction Incarcerated Search — Look up individuals currently incarcerated in Indiana state facilities by name.
In Person
- Visit the Dearborn County Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Lawrenceburg. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records.
- The Dearborn County courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides local court contact details and links.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Dearborn County Clerk of Court for copies of specific case records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the Indiana State Police Central Records Division. Required ISP forms are available on the state website.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Approximate date range of the offense or filing
Search Dearborn Criminal Cases by Case Number
Indiana uses a standardized case number format across all counties. Understanding the structure helps you locate a specific case quickly on MyCase or through the clerk's office.
A typical Indiana case number follows this pattern:
15D01-2401-F6-000123
- 15 — County code (Dearborn County is county 15 in Indiana's numbering system)
- D01 — Court designation and division number (e.g., D01 for Dearborn Superior Court I, C01 for Circuit Court)
- 2401 — Year and month of filing (2024, January)
- F6 — Case type code (F6 = Level 6 Felony; CM = Class A Misdemeanor; FA = Felony Attempted, etc.)
- 000123 — Sequential case number
When searching by case number on MyCase, enter the full number including hyphens. If you only have a partial number, try a name-based search filtered to Dearborn County instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dearborn
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Indiana Code section cited (e.g., IC 35-42-4-1) |
| Charge Level | Level 1–6 Felony, Class A–C Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Original vs. Amended | Charges may be amended through plea negotiations or additional evidence; both original and amended charges typically appear in the case record |
| Count Number | Cases with multiple charges list each as a separate count |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, motions pending)
- Disposed — A final judgment or order has been entered
- Closed — All post-disposition requirements are complete
Hearing Types
- Initial Hearing / Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Court determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss discovery, plea offers, and scheduling
- Jury or Bench Trial — Case is heard and decided
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Court checks compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Dismissed with Prejudice — Cannot be refiled
- Deferred Judgment — Judgment withheld pending completion of conditions (may lead to dismissal)
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dearborn
Official certified copies of criminal case records in Dearborn County are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts. The clerk maintains records for all courts in the county.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the Dearborn County Courthouse in Lawrenceburg. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents needed. Include a check or money order for applicable fees payable to the Dearborn County Clerk.
- Statewide criminal history — For a formal background check beyond court records, submit a request to the Indiana State Police. Fingerprint-based checks provide the most comprehensive results.
What You Need
- Valid photo ID (in-person requests)
- Case number or defendant's full name and date of birth
- Completed request form (if required by the clerk's office — contact the office to confirm current forms)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
Dearborn County Clerk's Office
For contact details and additional county offices, visit the official Dearborn County website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dearborn
Fees for criminal record copies in Indiana are governed by Indiana Code 33-37-5 (clerk fees) and related statutes. The table below reflects standard Indiana clerk fees. Contact the Dearborn County Clerk's Office to confirm current amounts, as local supplemental fees may apply.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page (standard under IC 33-37-5-1) |
| Non-certified copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certification fee (per document) | Included in per-page certified copy cost; confirm with clerk |
| Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History (online) | Free (name-based, limited results) |
| Indiana State Police Full Criminal History (fingerprint-based) | Varies; contact ISP for current fee schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within 1–2 business days, depending on volume
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after receipt
- Indiana State Police criminal history — Online limited history results are usually immediate; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks
Fees must generally be paid at the time of the request. The clerk's office accepts payment methods that may include cash, check, or money order — call ahead to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted.