Wells County Arrest Records
Wells County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Bluffton. This northeast Indiana county has about 28,000 residents and a county jail that handles all local bookings.
Wells County Quick Facts
Wells County Sheriff Booking Records
The Wells County Sheriff's Office manages the jail and processes all booking records for the county. Deputies patrol Wells County and bring arrested individuals to the jail in Bluffton. The Bluffton Police Department also operates within the city, and their arrests are booked through the county jail as well.
The Wells County government website includes a page for the sheriff's office and jail info. Below is that page.
This page covers sheriff's office contact details and jail information for Wells County.
Each booking record has the person's name, charges, date of arrest, and bond amount. These records are public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3). You can request copies by contacting the sheriff's office in Bluffton. Requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail. A small copy fee may be charged.
Wells County is a mid-sized rural county. The jail handles a moderate number of bookings and holds inmates who are waiting for court or serving short sentences. The county sits south of Allen County and Fort Wayne, and some people arrested in the area may have ties to the larger metro.
Note: Wells County does not have its own online jail roster website. Use the state portal or call the jail for current inmate information.
Wells County Inmate Lookup
The INjail portal is the main online tool for checking who is currently held in the Wells County jail. Pick Wells County from the dropdown list and search by name. The portal shows current inmates, their charges, and when they were booked in. It is free and does not need an account.
INjail updates regularly but may not reflect same-day releases or transfers. For the most up-to-date info, call the Wells County jail directly. The staff can confirm whether someone is still held or has been released.
If you are looking for someone who was sent to state prison after conviction, use the Indiana DOC offender locator. That tool covers the state prison system and shows facility locations, sentences, and release dates.
Wells County Court Case Search
Criminal cases from Wells County arrests are filed in the Wells Circuit Court or Wells Superior Court in Bluffton. The court clerk processes filings and keeps records of each case. You can search Wells County court records for free on MyCase, the state court records portal.
MyCase is the fastest free way to search for court cases in Wells County.
Search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes.
Court records are more detailed than booking logs. They follow a case from the initial filing through final disposition, including motions, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing. If someone was arrested in Wells County and charges were filed, the case will appear in MyCase. No account is needed, and the tool is completely free.
- Free search on MyCase
- No login or account required
- Covers Wells Circuit and Superior courts
- Shows charges, hearings, and outcomes
- New filings appear within a day or two
Statewide Criminal History Search
The Indiana State Police criminal history service provides a statewide search covering Wells County and all other Indiana counties. Each search costs $15 per name. Results include felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests reported to the state repository. This is a good option when you want to check across county lines or need a formal background report.
Below is the ISP criminal history services page.
Pay $15.70 by credit card. Create an account and run name searches online.
The Indiana Courts website links to local court contacts for Wells County and all other counties in Indiana. You can find the clerk's phone number, address, and other helpful information.
Note: The completeness of ISP results depends on how agencies report to the state system. Wells County is a smaller jurisdiction, and older records may have some gaps.
Wells County Expungement
Under Indiana Code 35-38-9, certain arrest and conviction records in Wells County can be sealed through expungement. You file a petition in the court that handled the original case. Arrests without charges are eligible immediately. Dismissed cases qualify after one year. Misdemeanor convictions need five years. Level 6 felonies require eight years before you can file.
The judge reviews the petition and considers the offense type, elapsed time, and your criminal history since the case. If the petition is granted, the records are sealed from public access. MyCase and ISP searches will no longer show them. Law enforcement retains access, but the public cannot view sealed records.
Contact the Wells County court clerk in Bluffton for the required forms. An attorney familiar with Indiana expungement law can help you prepare a strong petition. Legal aid organizations in northeast Indiana may offer help if cost is a concern. Indiana law allows only one expungement filing, so include all eligible cases.