Tippecanoe County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Tippecanoe County
Arrest records in Tippecanoe County are considered public information pursuant to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). Members of the public may access these records through various county agencies and online resources. The public nature of these records serves the governmental interest in transparency while balancing privacy considerations as outlined in state statutes.
The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of their official duties. These records become public once an individual is formally processed into the criminal justice system. However, certain exceptions apply to juvenile records and cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order under Indiana Code § 35-38-9.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office 2640 Duncan Road Lafayette, IN 47904 Phone: (765) 423-9388 Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office
Public access to arrest records may be obtained through:
- In-person requests at the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Online portals maintained by the county
- Court records related to arrests through the Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which protects personal identifying information and other sensitive data from public disclosure.
What's in Tippecanoe County Arrest Records
Tippecanoe County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3 and local record-keeping protocols established by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.
Standard information contained in Tippecanoe County arrest records includes:
- Arrestee's full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed, including Indiana Code citations
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint data
- Case or incident number
- Warrant information, if applicable
- Initial court appearance details
- Bail or bond information
Additional documentation may include criminal incident reports detailing the circumstances of the arrest, witness statements, and officer narratives. These reports typically categorize incidents by type, including assault, battery, theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities.
The Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office maintains court records associated with arrests, which may contain:
- Court case numbers
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Attorney information
- Plea information
- Sentencing details
- Probation terms
Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office 301 Main Street Lafayette, IN 47901 Phone: (765) 423-9326 Tippecanoe Court Records
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Tippecanoe County in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Tippecanoe County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county has implemented updated procedures to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3.
To look up arrest records in Tippecanoe County, members of the public may:
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Visit the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office in person:
- Complete a public records request form
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Present valid government-issued identification
- Pay applicable fees for record reproduction ($5.00 per record as of 2025)
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Access the Tippecanoe County Corrections website:
- Navigate to the current inmate listings section
- Search by name or booking number
- View basic arrest information and current custody status
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Contact the Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office:
- Request court records related to arrests
- Provide case numbers if available
- Submit requests during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
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Utilize the Odyssey Case Management System through the Indiana Judicial Branch:
- Access the public portal
- Search by name or case number
- Review case information related to arrests
Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office Records Division 2640 Duncan Road Lafayette, IN 47904 Phone: (765) 423-9388 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pursuant to the Tippecanoe County Local Court Rules, certain arrest records may have restricted access based on case status or court orders.
How To Find Tippecanoe County Arrest Records Online
Tippecanoe County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems have been implemented to enhance public access while maintaining security protocols in accordance with Indiana state law.
The primary online resources for locating Tippecanoe County arrest records include:
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Tippecanoe County Official Website - The county's main portal provides links to various departments and services, including:
- Sheriff's Office inmate lookup
- Court records search functions
- Criminal incident report information
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myCase Portal - Indiana's statewide court records system:
- Access through the Odyssey Case Management System
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- View case summaries, charges, and court dates
- Monitor case status and upcoming hearings
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Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup:
- Available through the Corrections Department page
- Updated daily with current inmate information
- Provides booking information and custody status
To effectively search these online systems, users should:
- Utilize exact spelling of names when possible
- Include middle initials or full middle names if known
- Narrow searches by date ranges when available
- Note that some older records may not be digitized
Online access to certain records may be limited based on case status, court orders, or statutory restrictions pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4.
Can You Search Tippecanoe County Arrest Records for Free?
Tippecanoe County provides several no-cost options for accessing arrest records in accordance with Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. These free resources are maintained to ensure public transparency while operating within budgetary constraints.
Free arrest record search options include:
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Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office website - The public can access current inmate information and basic arrest details at no charge through the online inmate lookup system.
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Tippecanoe Court Records online portal - Basic case information related to arrests can be searched by case number, name, or attorney without fees.
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Public access terminals - Located at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse, these terminals allow visitors to search court records related to arrests without charge during regular business hours.
Tippecanoe County Courthouse 301 Main Street Lafayette, IN 47901 Phone: (765) 423-9326 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of records ($5.00 per document)
- Extensive research requests requiring staff assistance ($20.00 per hour after first hour)
- Printed copies of electronic records ($0.10 per page)
- Background checks for employment or housing purposes
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and reproduction costs but cannot charge for inspection of public records.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Tippecanoe County
The process for removing arrest records in Tippecanoe County is governed by Indiana's expungement statutes under Indiana Code § 35-38-9. Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must follow specific legal procedures and meet statutory eligibility requirements.
Expungement options in Tippecanoe County include:
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Expungement of arrest records with no charges filed (IC § 35-38-9-1):
- Available if no charges were filed within one year of arrest
- Petition must be filed in the court with jurisdiction
- No waiting period if charges were never filed
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Expungement of misdemeanor convictions (IC § 35-38-9-2):
- Five-year waiting period from date of conviction
- All fines, fees, and restitution must be paid
- No pending charges or convictions during waiting period
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Expungement of certain felony convictions (IC § 35-38-9-3 and § 35-38-9-4):
- Eight-year waiting period for lower-level felonies
- Ten-year waiting period for more serious felonies
- Additional eligibility requirements apply
To initiate the expungement process:
- Obtain and complete the appropriate petition forms from the Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office
- File the petition with the clerk and pay applicable filing fees
- Serve copies on the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office
- Attend scheduled court hearings as required
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office 301 Main Street Lafayette, IN 47901 Phone: (765) 423-9305 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Individuals may wish to consult with legal counsel before pursuing expungement, as the process involves complex statutory requirements and court procedures as outlined in the Tippecanoe County Local Court Rules.
What Happens After Arrest in Tippecanoe County?
Following an arrest in Tippecanoe County, individuals enter a structured legal process governed by Indiana law and local court procedures. This process includes several key stages from initial custody through case disposition.
The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:
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Booking and Processing:
- Transportation to Tippecanoe County Jail
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Personal information collection
- Medical screening
- Property inventory
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Initial Hearing:
- Occurs within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays)
- Formal reading of charges
- Determination of probable cause
- Appointment of counsel if defendant qualifies
- Setting of bail or bond
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Pretrial Proceedings:
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Pretrial conferences
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
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Case Resolution:
- Trial (bench or jury)
- Plea agreement
- Dismissal of charges
- Sentencing if convicted
Throughout this process, individuals may be held at the Tippecanoe County Jail or released on bond depending on the severity of charges and other factors determined by the court.
Tippecanoe County Jail 2640 Duncan Road Lafayette, IN 47904 Phone: (765) 423-1655 Tippecanoe County Corrections
Individuals seeking information about warrant status or arrest warrant procedures may contact the appropriate Tippecanoe County court or the Sheriff's Office for verification.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Tippecanoe County?
Arrest records in Tippecanoe County are maintained according to Indiana's records retention schedules and local policies. These records are preserved for extended periods to support law enforcement operations, court proceedings, and public information needs.
Standard retention periods for arrest records in Tippecanoe County include:
- Arrest reports and booking information: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint cards: 75 years from date of collection
- Booking photographs: Permanent retention
- Incident reports related to arrests: 10 years for misdemeanors, permanent for felonies
- Warrant information: Until executed plus 10 years
These retention schedules comply with Indiana Administrative Code Title 60, which governs public records management for county agencies. The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both physical and digital formats, with older records progressively being digitized for preservation and accessibility.
Exceptions to standard retention periods may apply in cases where:
- Records have been ordered expunged by a court
- Records pertain to juvenile offenders (subject to different retention schedules)
- Records have historical significance requiring special archiving
For specific information regarding record retention policies, members of the public may contact:
Tippecanoe County Records Management 20 North 3rd Street Lafayette, IN 47901 Phone: (765) 423-9131 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
How to Find Mugshots in Tippecanoe County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are maintained by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office as part of the official arrest record. Access to these photographs is governed by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act and local policies.
Members of the public seeking mugshots in Tippecanoe County may utilize the following methods:
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Online Inmate Lookup:
- Visit the Tippecanoe County Corrections website
- Search for current inmates by name
- View basic booking information and photographs if available
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Public Records Request:
- Submit a written request to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Specify the date of arrest if known
- Pay applicable fees for reproduction ($5.00 per photograph)
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Court Records:
- In some cases, booking photographs may be included in court files
- Access through the Tippecanoe Court Records system
- Request copies from the Clerk's Office if available
Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office Records Division 2640 Duncan Road Lafayette, IN 47904 Phone: (765) 423-9388 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
It should be noted that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(8), law enforcement agencies may exercise discretion in releasing certain investigatory records, which may include booking photographs in some circumstances.
Lookup Arrest Records in Tippecanoe County
Search Tippecanoe Court Records
Check current inmate information
Access criminal incident reports
Visit the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office
Search the Odyssey Case Management System
View Tippecanoe County Local Court Rules