Morgan County Criminal Records
What Is Morgan County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Morgan County, Indiana, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the county, state, and federal levels.
Key distinctions among record types include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under Indiana law, an arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute proof of criminal conduct.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the most serious classification of offenses under Indiana Code § 35-50-2 and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors are lesser offenses carrying sentences of up to one year in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile adjudication records are presumptively confidential and may be sealed pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2, which restricts disclosure of most juvenile court records.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest and are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and court system. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The principal agencies responsible for maintaining Morgan County criminal records include:
- Morgan County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- Morgan County Circuit and Superior Courts — maintain case filings, arraignment records, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and probation or parole documentation
- Indiana State Police — maintains the statewide criminal history repository through the Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS)
- Martinsville Police Department — maintains local arrest and incident records within the city limits
Criminal records in Morgan County may encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, conditions of probation or parole, and any subsequent modifications to those conditions. Members of the public seeking court case information may access the Morgan County Indiana Judicial Branch directory for local court contact details.
Morgan County Sheriff's Office 160 N. Park Avenue, Martinsville, IN 46151 (765) 342-4303 Morgan County Sheriff's Office
Are Criminal Records Public In Morgan County
Adult criminal records in Morgan County are generally accessible to the public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This statute establishes that public records are the property of the people of Indiana and must be made available for inspection and copying by any person upon request, subject to enumerated exceptions.
Records that are currently open to public inspection include:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor case filings and docket entries
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Booking records and jail rosters maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information
Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would endanger a person or compromise the investigation
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed by operation of Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2
- Expunged records, which are treated as if they never occurred following a court order under Indiana's expungement statutes
- Mental health and medical records generated in the course of criminal proceedings
- Confidential informant identities and certain investigative materials
Members of the public may inspect non-exempt criminal records without being required to state a reason for the request, consistent with the provisions of Indiana's open records law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Morgan County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Morgan County criminal records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for accessing these records in person or by written request.
Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the records sought are arrest and booking records (held by the Sheriff's Office), court case records (held by the Circuit or Superior Court Clerk), or statewide criminal history records (held by the Indiana State Police).
Step 2 — Submit a public records request. For Sheriff's Office records, members of the public may appear in person at 160 N. Park Avenue, Martinsville, IN 46151, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Written requests may also be submitted by mail or in person. For court records, requestors should contact the Morgan County Clerk of Courts at the Morgan County Courthouse.
Step 3 — Provide identifying information. Requestors should supply the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and any known case numbers to facilitate an accurate search.
Step 4 — Pay applicable fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which governs the assessment of copying and search fees. Inspection of records in person is generally available at no charge.
Step 5 — Request a certified background check if required. For employment, licensing, or legal purposes, a certified criminal history report may be obtained through the Indiana State Police online portal at IndianaStatePolice.in.gov.
Morgan County Clerk of Courts Morgan County Courthouse, 10 E. Washington Street, Martinsville, IN 46151 (765) 342-1060 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
How To Find Criminal Records in Morgan County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Morgan County criminal and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
MyCase — Indiana Courts Case Search The primary online resource for court case records is MyCase, the Indiana Courts Case Search platform operated by the Office of Judicial Administration. MyCase provides public access to case information filed in Indiana courts, including Morgan County Circuit and Superior Courts. Users may search by:
- Party name (first and last name)
- Case number
- Attorney name
MyCase displays case type, filing date, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. No registration is required to conduct a basic public case search. However, certain sealed, expunged, or confidential case types are not displayed.
Morgan County Sheriff's Office — Jail Roster The Morgan County Jail page provides information regarding individuals currently held at the county jail facility located at 160 N. Park Avenue, Martinsville, IN 46151. This resource reflects current inmate status and is updated on a regular basis.
Indiana State Police — Criminal History Request The Indiana State Police maintains a statewide criminal history database accessible through their online portal. Certified background checks may be requested electronically for a fee, while limited public record searches are available at no cost.
Records available online include: court case dockets, current jail rosters, and certified background check results. Records available in person only include: original paper filings, certified copies of court orders, and certain sealed or restricted documents.
No registration is required to use MyCase or to view the jail roster. Certified background check requests through the Indiana State Police require account creation and payment.
Can You Search Morgan County Criminal Records for Free?
Indiana law currently mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees only for the actual cost of reproducing records, not for the act of inspection itself.
Free inspection is available at the following locations:
- Morgan County Clerk of Courts, Morgan County Courthouse, 10 E. Washington Street, Martinsville, IN 46151 — court case files and docket entries
- Morgan County Sheriff's Office, 160 N. Park Avenue, Martinsville, IN 46151 — arrest logs and booking records
Free online resources include:
- MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search — court case records, charges, and dispositions at no cost
- Morgan County Sheriff's Office — general law enforcement information and jail roster access
- Indiana State Police public name search — limited criminal history information available without charge
Fees apply to: photocopies of records (typically $0.10 per page for standard documents), certified copies of court orders, and certified background check reports obtained through the Indiana State Police.
What's Included in a Morgan County Criminal Record?
A complete Morgan County criminal record may contain several categories of information, depending on the nature and stage of the underlying case.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number, where assigned
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Martinsville Police Department, or other law enforcement)
- Booking number and date of booking
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Jail facility where the individual was held
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Circuit or Superior Court)
- Filing date and case type
- Specific charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting attorney information
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date, if applicable
- Sentencing details, including type of sentence (incarceration, probation, suspended sentence), length, fines, restitution ordered, and special conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole terms and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements:
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or no-contact orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI or DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Morgan County Keep Criminal Records?
Morgan County agencies retain criminal records in accordance with Indiana's public records retention schedules established by the Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA). Retention periods vary by record type and agency.
Standard retention periods under current Indiana records schedules include:
- Arrest and booking records: Retained for a minimum of five years following the date of arrest; records associated with felony convictions are retained permanently or for extended periods
- Court case files — felony convictions: Retained permanently by the Clerk of Courts
- Court case files — misdemeanor convictions: Retained for a minimum of ten years following case closure
- Court case files — dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained for a minimum of five years; subject to expungement orders
- Jail records and inmate files: Retained for a minimum of five years following release
- Juvenile records: Retained subject to the confidentiality and destruction provisions of Indiana Code § 31-39-9, which governs the expiration and destruction of juvenile court records
- Sex offender registration records: Retained for the duration of the registration requirement, which may be ten years, twenty years, or lifetime, depending on the offense
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration publishes official retention schedules applicable to county agencies. Following the expiration of a retention period, records may be destroyed in accordance with approved schedules unless subject to a litigation hold or other legal preservation requirement. Expunged records are treated as confidential and inaccessible to the public following a court order, though they are not necessarily physically destroyed.