Adams County Arrest Records

Adams County arrest records are kept by the sheriff's office in Decatur, Indiana. This rural county in northeast Indiana has a small but active court system that handles criminal cases filed from local arrests. You can search for jail bookings, check on pending court cases, and request copies of arrest reports through the county or state systems. The Adams County Sheriff's Office manages jail operations and keeps booking records for all people held in county custody. Several free online tools let you look up current inmates and court filings from Adams County without visiting the courthouse.

Adams County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Adams County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They run the county jail in Decatur and process all bookings. When someone is arrested in Adams County, the sheriff's office creates a booking record that includes the person's name, date of birth, charges, and bond amount. These records are public under Indiana law. You can call the sheriff's office or visit in person to ask about a specific arrest. The jail holds people awaiting trial as well as those serving short sentences for misdemeanor convictions in Adams County.

The sheriff's office does not have its own online inmate search portal. To check if someone is in the Adams County jail right now, use the Indiana Jail Public Portal. This state tool lets you search for current inmates across Indiana county jails. Select Adams County from the list and type in the person's name. Results show who is in custody at that time. Not all counties update this system at the same rate, so call the jail if you need the most current data.

For past arrest records in Adams County, the sheriff's office can help with requests made in person or by mail. Bring a valid ID and be ready to give the full name of the person and an estimated date for the arrest. Fees for copies may apply.

Search Court Cases in Adams County

Criminal cases from Adams County arrests go through the Adams Circuit Court or the Adams Superior Court in Decatur. The court clerk files all charges, tracks hearings, and stores case records. You can look up Adams County court cases for free on the MyCase portal run by the Indiana courts. Type in a name or case number to find filings, charges, and case status. MyCase pulls data from trial courts across all 92 Indiana counties, so Adams County cases are included.

The MyCase system is the best free tool for checking arrest-related court records in Adams County. Below is a look at the search page.

No account is needed. Just search by name and look for Adams County filings in the results.

Court records show more detail than a basic booking log. They list the exact charges filed, hearing dates, plea entries, and the final outcome of each case. If someone was arrested in Adams County and the case went to court, the record will appear in MyCase once the clerk enters it. Some records may not show up right away if the clerk has not yet processed the filing.

Note: Sealed or expunged records will not appear in MyCase searches for Adams County cases.

Indiana State Resources for Adams County

The Indiana State Police criminal history service covers arrest records from across the state, including Adams County. A search costs $15 per name ($15.70 by credit card). Results include felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests reported to the state system. This is a good option if you want a broader check that goes beyond just Adams County records. Keep in mind that the completeness of results depends on how well each county has reported its data to the state.

The ISP criminal history search page is shown below.

You need to set up an account before running a search. Results come back quickly for most checks.

Indiana Code 5-14-3 is the Access to Public Records Act. It gives you the right to view arrest records held by public agencies in Adams County and across the state. Agencies must respond to in-person requests within 24 hours. Written requests by mail or email get a response within 7 days. They can charge for copies but not for viewing. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the specific law that allows the denial. You can call the Indiana Public Access Counselor at 317-234-0906 for help with a denied request.

Arrest Record Expungement in Adams County

Indiana Code 35-38-9 sets the rules for expunging arrest and conviction records. If you were arrested in Adams County but never charged, or if the charges were dropped, you may be able to get that arrest record sealed. Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions can also be expunged after a waiting period. The process starts by filing a petition in the Adams Circuit Court or Superior Court in Decatur. The court reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it based on the type of offense, time passed, and your record since then.

Once a record is expunged in Adams County, it no longer shows up in standard public searches. Law enforcement and some state agencies can still see sealed records, but the general public cannot. Not every arrest or conviction qualifies. Serious violent felonies and certain sex offenses have limits under Indiana law. Contact the Adams County court clerk or talk to a local attorney to find out if your case qualifies for expungement.

How to Get Adams County Arrest Records

There are a few ways to get arrest records from Adams County. For current jail bookings, check the INjail portal or call the sheriff's office directly. For court records tied to an arrest, search MyCase online at no cost. For a formal criminal history check that covers all of Indiana, use the ISP criminal history service for $15.

If you need certified copies of records from the Adams County court, contact the clerk of court in Decatur. They can tell you what fees apply and what forms of payment they accept. Most clerk offices take cash, check, or money order. Some may accept credit cards. Call ahead to be sure. When you make a request, include as much detail as you can to help them find the right record:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if you have it
• Approximate date of arrest
• Case number if known
• Type of charge or offense

The Indiana Courts website has links to local court contacts across the state. You can find phone numbers and addresses for the Adams County court clerk there. The state also lists court rules and forms you might need for a records request.

Note: Fees for copies of Adams County records vary by office, so confirm the cost before you make your request.

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