Fayette County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fayette County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Fayette County, Indiana, may access publicly available information through a combination of official government portals, county court offices, and state-level repositories. FayetteINRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to criminal history, though users should verify all information through official government sources. Records accessible through public channels may include the following categories:
- Arrest records and booking information
- Court case filings, charges, and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail roster and inmate information
- Sex offender registration data
- Warrant information
- Probation and sentencing records
Criminal records in Fayette County may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Fayette Circuit Court and Fayette Superior Court maintain case files for all criminal proceedings originating within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for on-site record searches at no charge.
Fayette County Clerk's Office
401 Central Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
Phone: (765) 825-1813
Fayette County - Indiana Judicial Branch
2. Sheriff's Office
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current jail roster information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records. The Indiana County Jail Public Portal provides online access to current inmate information searchable by last name, first name, birth date, and county.
Fayette County Sheriff's Office
201 E 4th St
Connersville, IN 47331
Phone: (765) 825-1110
Fayette County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Indiana Office of Judicial Administration operates MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, a statewide online portal that allows members of the public to search court case records by party name, case number, or attorney. Users may filter results by county, case type, and date range. The portal contains civil, criminal, and traffic case information. Note that certain case types, including sealed and expunged records, do not appear in search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Indiana State Police (ISP) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests, including those requiring fingerprint submission, are processed through the ISP Criminal History Services division. Processing times and fees vary depending on the request type. Members of the public may access the ISP criminal history background check portal for self-request and third-party request options.
Indiana State Police – Criminal History Services
100 N Senate Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-8266
Indiana State Police
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted by mail to the Fayette County Clerk's Office at 401 Central Ave, Connersville, IN 47331. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3, public agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable timeframe, with a statutory deadline of seven days for most requests.
What Is Fayette County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Fayette County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. Under Indiana law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include the following:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification under Indiana Code § 35-50-2, carrying potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties and are classified as Class A, B, or C under Indiana law.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Juvenile records are confidential under Indiana law and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current outstanding orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Fayette County include the Fayette County Sheriff's Office (arrest records and jail records), the Fayette Circuit and Superior Courts (case files, dispositions, and sentencing records), the Indiana State Police Criminal History Repository (statewide criminal history), and local law enforcement agencies such as the Connersville Police Department. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon disposition. The Fayette County court system serves Judicial District 18, which includes Fayette, Franklin, Rush, Union, and Wayne counties.
Are Criminal Records Public In Fayette County
Criminal records in Fayette County are public records under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, which establishes that public records are presumptively open to inspection and copying by any member of the public. Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to the public through the county clerk's office and online court portals.
As stated in the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency." This presumption of openness applies to criminal court records maintained by the Fayette Circuit and Superior Courts.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public access, including:
- Sealed court records ordered closed by a judge
- Expunged records, which are removed from public view pursuant to Indiana's expungement statutes
- Juvenile records, which are confidential by statute
- Ongoing criminal investigation records, which may be withheld to protect investigative integrity
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through Indiana's state public records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Fayette County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resources for Fayette County criminal records include the following:
- MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search — Provides access to court case records statewide, including Fayette County criminal cases. Users may search by party name or case number without registration. The portal contains case status, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- Indiana County Jail Public Portal — Provides current inmate information for Fayette County and other Indiana counties. Searches may be conducted by last name, first name, and date of birth.
- Indiana Incarcerated Database Search — Maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction, this portal allows searches of individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state correctional facilities.
State-Level Resources
The Indiana State Police operates a statewide criminal history background check system accessible through the ISP Criminal History Services portal. The Fayette County – Indiana Judicial Branch page provides local court information and links to applicable rules.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations.
- Searching by case number yields the most precise results and eliminates name-match ambiguity.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types.
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches.
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online databases.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic case management systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Fayette 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. The Fayette County Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for in-person record inspection. Copying fees apply to reproductions of records.
2. Free Online Databases: The following portals provide free public access:
| Portal | Cost | Access Type |
|---|---|---|
| MyCase Indiana Courts | Free | Online, no registration |
| Indiana County Jail Portal | Free | Online, no registration |
| Indiana Incarcerated Database | Free | Online, no registration |
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office may be inspected at no charge pursuant to Indiana's public records law.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $1.00 per page (standard court fee) |
| Official ISP background check | $16.32 (online self-request) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Additional processing fee |
State Fee Law
Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8 governs fees for public records copies and limits agencies to charging only the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Fayette County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Fayette County criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records maintained by the Fayette Circuit and Superior Courts include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
Criminal records may also reflect outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/OWI adjudications, traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (confidential by statute)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
- Ongoing investigation materials
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the Indiana State Police Criminal History Services division or through the originating court. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.
How Long Does Fayette County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Indiana courts are subject to record retention schedules established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records. Court records retention is governed by state administrative rules, and criminal case records are among the most strictly retained categories.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 10 years |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; may be destroyed after age 23 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain criminal case files permanently under Indiana court records retention rules. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records for a minimum period established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records. The Indiana State Police repository retains conviction records permanently, as reflected in the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search and related state systems.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with state retention schedules.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing removes a record from public view but preserves it for law enforcement access.
- Expungement under Indiana law results in the removal of records from public databases and restricts their use in most contexts. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9, eligible individuals may petition for expungement of arrests, misdemeanors, and certain felony convictions after applicable waiting periods. The Indiana State Police processes expungement notifications through its expunge criminal history program. Detailed procedural guidance is available in the Detailed Information on Criminal Case Expungement published by the Indiana Office of Court Services.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from Indiana state records. Expungement of state records does not automatically remove corresponding federal records.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that have not been expunged appear on background checks indefinitely. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) may limit reporting of certain records to seven to ten years, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of age. Even where a county has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9.