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Tippecanoe County Court Records

What Is Tippecanoe County Court Records

Tippecanoe County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system that document legal proceedings. These records include case filings, judgments, orders, and other documents related to civil, criminal, family, and probate cases heard in Tippecanoe County courts. The records are maintained by the Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office using the Odyssey Case Management System, which is Indiana's statewide court record system.

Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office: 301 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

Are Court Records Public In Tippecanoe County

Yes, most court records in Tippecanoe County are public information according to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. This means that any citizen has the right to view and obtain copies of these records. However, certain records may be sealed or confidential by court order or statute, including:

  • Juvenile cases
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health records
  • Cases involving minors
  • Records sealed by judicial order
  • Certain domestic violence cases

The Indiana Supreme Court also provides guidelines on public access to court records through Administrative Rule 9.

Indiana Supreme Court: 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

How To Find Court Records in Tippecanoe County in 2025

To find court records in Tippecanoe County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office in person to request and view records.
  2. Use the online Odyssey Public Access system to search for cases.
  3. Submit a written request to the Clerk's Office for specific records.
  4. Contact the specific court where the case was heard.

For in-person requests, you'll need to provide basic information about the case you're looking for, such as names of parties involved, case numbers, or approximate dates.

Tippecanoe County Courthouse: 301 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

How To Look Up Court Records in Tippecanoe County Online?

Tippecanoe County court records can be accessed online through:

  1. mycase.in.gov - Indiana's statewide court records portal
  2. The Tippecanoe County website's court records section

To search online:

  • Visit mycase.in.gov
  • Select Tippecanoe County from the dropdown menu
  • Search by name, case number, or citation number
  • Review the results and select the case you want to view
  • Access available documents (note that not all documents may be available online)

Some records may require a subscription or fee to access complete information.

Indiana Office of Court Technology: 251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 800, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Can You Search Tippecanoe County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Tippecanoe County court records for free through several methods:

  1. Basic searches on mycase.in.gov are free, though there may be fees for accessing certain documents.
  2. In-person searches at the Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office are free, though there are copying fees.
  3. The public access terminals at the courthouse provide free access to the Odyssey system.

While searching is free, there are fees for obtaining copies of documents:

  • Paper copies: $1.00 per page
  • Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus certification fee
  • Electronic copies: Varies based on document type and size

Tippecanoe County Clerk's Office: 301 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

What's Included in a Tippecanoe County Court Record?

A typical Tippecanoe County court record includes:

  • Case summary with basic information about the parties involved
  • Chronological case summary (CCS) listing all actions taken in the case
  • Filed documents such as complaints, motions, and responses
  • Court orders and judgments
  • Hearing and trial dates
  • Financial information including fees, fines, and payments
  • Disposition of the case
  • Sentencing information (for criminal cases)
  • Evidence lists (though actual evidence may not be included)
  • Transcripts (if requested and prepared)

The level of detail varies depending on the case type and stage of proceedings.

How Long Does Tippecanoe County Keep Court Records?

Tippecanoe County follows Indiana's records retention schedules for court documents. Generally:

  • Felony case records: Permanently maintained
  • Misdemeanor case records: At least 10 years after case closure
  • Civil case records: Varies from 3 years to permanent retention depending on case type
  • Family law cases: Most are permanently maintained
  • Probate cases: Permanently maintained
  • Small claims: 3-10 years depending on disposition

Digital records in the Odyssey system are typically maintained indefinitely, while older paper records may be archived or microfilmed after certain periods.

Indiana Archives and Records Administration: 6440 E. 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219

Types of Courts In Tippecanoe County

Tippecanoe County has a multi-tiered court system that includes:

  1. Circuit Court - General jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters
  2. Superior Courts (1-7) - Handle specific case types:
    • Superior Courts 1, 2: Major felonies and civil cases
    • Superior Court 3: Family relations
    • Superior Courts 4, 5: Misdemeanors and minor felonies
    • Superior Court 6: Small claims and traffic
    • Superior Court 7: Juvenile matters
  3. Magistrate Courts - Assist the Circuit and Superior Courts
  4. Small Claims Court - Civil disputes under $10,000

Tippecanoe County Courts: 301 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

What Types of Cases Do Tippecanoe County Courts Hear?

Tippecanoe County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

  1. Criminal Cases:

    • Felonies (from Level 1-6)
    • Misdemeanors
    • Traffic violations
    • Ordinance violations

  2. Civil Cases:

    • Personal injury
    • Contract disputes
    • Property disputes
    • Collections
    • Small claims (under $10,000)
    • Landlord-tenant issues

  3. Family Law:

    • Divorce
    • Child custody and support
    • Paternity
    • Protective orders
    • Guardianships

  4. Probate Matters:

    • Wills and estates
    • Trusts
    • Guardianships
    • Mental health commitments

  5. Juvenile Matters:

    • Delinquency
    • Children in need of services (CHINS)
    • Termination of parental rights

How To Find a Court Docket In Tippecanoe County

To find a court docket in Tippecanoe County:

  1. Online Method:

    • Visit mycase.in.gov
    • Select Tippecanoe County
    • Search by case number, party name, or attorney
    • View the chronological case summary for docket information

  2. In-Person Method:

    • Visit the Clerk's Office at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse
    • Request to view the docket for a specific court or case
    • Use public access terminals to search the Odyssey system

  3. Contact Method:

    • Call the specific court where the case is being heard
    • Provide case information to request docket details

Daily court calendars are also typically posted outside each courtroom and may be available on the county website.

Tippecanoe County Courthouse: 301 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

Which Courts in Tippecanoe County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Tippecanoe County, all courts are considered courts of record, meaning they maintain official transcripts and documentation of proceedings. This includes:

  • Circuit Court
  • All Superior Courts (1-7)
  • Magistrate Courts

Even small claims proceedings, which are handled in Superior Court 6, are courts of record in Tippecanoe County. This differs from some other Indiana counties where certain small claims or city courts may not be courts of record.

All proceedings in Tippecanoe County courts can be appealed to higher courts based on the official record of the proceedings.

Lookup Court Records in Tippecanoe County

For comprehensive access to Tippecanoe County court records, you can use these official resources:

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