Hancock County Public Records / Hancock County Arrest Records

Hancock County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hancock County

Arrest records in Hancock County, Indiana, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, known as the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), members of the public may inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement agencies, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This statute establishes the foundational right of access to government-held information, including records generated during the arrest process.

It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under Indiana law, an individual who is arrested but not convicted retains certain rights regarding the disposition of those records, including potential eligibility for expungement. The Indiana State Police maintains statewide criminal history data, and members of the public may access limited criminal history information through the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search portal, which covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide.

Hancock County Sheriff's Office 123 E. Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1147 Hancock County Sheriff's Office

Hancock County Clerk's Office 9 E. Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1109 Hancock County Clerk

What's in Hancock County Arrest Records

Hancock County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custody process. The following categories reflect the information typically documented in an arrest record maintained by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office or a municipal law enforcement agency.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name, including any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Home address at time of arrest
Social Security Number (restricted from full public disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Greenfield Police Department)
Circumstances and narrative summary of the arrest

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed, including Indiana Code citation
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Whether charges were filed by the prosecutor's office

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date
Facility where the individual was processed
Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond conditions, if any

Court Information:

Case number assigned by the Hancock County Circuit or Superior Court
Scheduled court dates
Presiding judge

Custody Status:

Current custody status (held, released, transferred)
Release date and method of release

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history referenced in the booking record
Detainer or hold information from other jurisdictions
Probation or parole status at time of arrest

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Hancock County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Hancock County may pursue several official channels depending on the type and age of the record sought. Requestors should identify the appropriate custodial agency before submitting a formal request.

Submit a Public Records Request to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office: Individuals may submit a written request under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, which requires public agencies to respond within 24 hours of receiving a request on a day the agency is open. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the Sheriff's Office records division. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact the Hancock County Clerk's Office: Court-related arrest records and case filings are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk's public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Requestors may appear in person or submit written requests by mail.
Request Records from the Greenfield Police Department: For arrests made within the City of Greenfield, records are maintained by the Greenfield Police Department. Requests should be directed to the records division during regular business hours.

Greenfield Police Department 1 Courthouse Plaza, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-4400 Greenfield Police Department

Indiana State Police Criminal History: Statewide criminal history records, including Hancock County arrests involving felonies and Class A misdemeanors, are accessible through the Indiana State Police.

Fees for copies of public records are governed by state statute and are currently set at a reasonable cost-per-page rate. Agencies may charge for staff time required to compile extensive records.

How To Find Hancock County Arrest Records Online

Several official online platforms currently provide access to Hancock County arrest and court records without requiring an in-person visit.

Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase): The Indiana Judicial Branch operates MyCase, a statewide online portal through which members of the public may search court case records, including criminal cases originating from Hancock County arrests. Users may search by name, case number, or date range. Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining those records.
Indiana Judicial Branch Public Records Portal: The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides access to case searches, protection orders, and other court-related collections maintained at the state level.
INjail Public Access Portal: The INjail Public Access portal allows members of the public to search current and recent jail booking information across Indiana counties, including Hancock County. Users may search by last name, first name, and date of birth.
Indiana Incarcerated Database: Individuals seeking information on persons currently incarcerated in a state correctional facility following a Hancock County conviction may use the Indiana Department of Correction offender locator.

How To Search Hancock County Arrest Records for Free?

Multiple no-cost options are currently available for members of the public seeking Hancock County arrest records without incurring fees.

MyCase Online Portal: The Indiana Courts Case Search system at MyCase is available at no charge and provides access to criminal case records, including charge information and case dispositions linked to Hancock County arrests.
INjail Public Portal: The INjail Public Access portal is a free resource for searching current jail booking records across Indiana counties.
Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History: The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search provides free public access to limited criminal history data, including felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide.
In-Person Inspection at the Sheriff's Office or Clerk's Office: Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Indiana Judicial Branch Public Records: The Indiana Judicial Branch website provides free access to court case searches and related public collections.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Hancock County

Indiana law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure or destruction of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while the record is retained by the agency). These are distinct legal remedies with different eligibility requirements and effects.

Expungement results in the removal of arrest and conviction records from public access and, in certain circumstances, the physical destruction of those records. Under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, commonly referred to as Indiana's Second Chance Law, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in a conviction and the charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted
A conviction was vacated or reversed on appeal
The individual completed the terms of a diversion agreement
A specified waiting period has elapsed following conviction, depending on the level of offense

Sealing restricts access to records without destroying them. Sealed records are generally not accessible to the public but may remain available to law enforcement and certain government agencies.

Steps to Pursue Expungement in Hancock County:

Determine eligibility based on the nature of the arrest or conviction and the applicable waiting period under Indiana Code § 35-38-9.
Obtain a copy of the relevant arrest and court records from the Hancock County Clerk's Office.
Prepare and file a Petition for Expungement with the Hancock County Circuit or Superior Court. Filing fees currently apply unless waived by the court.
Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office, which has the right to object within a specified period.
Attend any scheduled hearing before the court.
If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the records.

Hancock County Prosecutor's Office 9 E. Main Street, Suite 201, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1109 Hancock County Prosecutor

What Happens After Arrest in Hancock County?

The criminal justice process in Hancock County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Hancock County Jail for booking. During booking, identifying information is recorded, fingerprints and photographs are taken, and personal property is inventoried.
Initial Hearing: Within a short period following arrest, the individual appears before a Hancock County judge for an initial hearing. At this stage, the court advises the defendant of the charges, determines eligibility for release, and sets bond conditions.
Prosecutorial Review: The Hancock County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest report and evidence to determine whether formal charges will be filed. The prosecutor may file charges, decline to prosecute, or refer the matter to a diversion program.
Arraignment: If charges are filed, the defendant is arraigned and enters a formal plea of guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: The case proceeds through discovery, pre-trial motions, and, if applicable, plea negotiations between defense counsel and the prosecutor.
Trial or Plea: The defendant either enters a plea agreement or proceeds to trial before a judge or jury in the Hancock County Circuit or Superior Court.
Sentencing: Upon a finding of guilt, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Indiana sentencing guidelines.
Post-Conviction: The defendant may pursue appeals, sentence modifications, or, where eligible, expungement under Indiana's Second Chance Law.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Hancock County?

Arrest record retention in Hancock County is governed by Indiana's public records retention schedules established under Indiana Code § 5-15-5.1, which authorizes the Indiana Commission on Public Records to establish mandatory retention schedules for state and local government agencies. Different agencies within Hancock County maintain records for varying periods depending on the nature of the record and the outcome of the case.

Law Enforcement Agencies: The Hancock County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments are currently required to retain arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports for a minimum period specified in the applicable retention schedule. Records related to serious felonies may be retained permanently or for extended periods.
Court Records: The Hancock County Clerk's Office retains criminal case files in accordance with the Indiana Judicial Branch's records retention schedule. Felony case records are generally retained permanently, while misdemeanor records may be retained for shorter periods.
Jail Records: Booking and custody records maintained by the Hancock County Jail are subject to retention schedules established for county correctional facilities.
Expunged Records: Records subject to a valid court order of expungement are removed from public access and, where ordered, destroyed in accordance with the court's directive and applicable state law.

Retention schedules serve the dual purpose of preserving evidence and accountability while also establishing defined periods after which records may be lawfully destroyed. Members of the public seeking specific retention information may contact the Indiana Commission on Public Records.

Indiana Commission on Public Records 402 W. Washington Street, Room W472, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-3380 Indiana Commission on Public Records

How to Find Mugshots in Hancock County

What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photograph taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and document the physical appearance of an individual at the time of their arrest.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots taken in Hancock County are maintained by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office and, for municipal arrests, by the relevant police department. Copies may also be retained in the Indiana State Police criminal history database.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots as part of a public records request submitted to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Requests should identify the individual by full name and approximate date of arrest.

Can They Be Found Online Mugshots associated with current or recent bookings at the Hancock County Jail may appear through the INjail Public Access portal, which displays booking photographs for individuals currently or recently held in county jail facilities across Indiana.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain an official copy of a mugshot, members of the public should submit a written public records request to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office records division. Requests may be submitted in person during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or by mail. A per-copy fee may apply.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Certain mugshots may be withheld from public disclosure where release would endanger an ongoing investigation, compromise the safety of a confidential informant, or where the subject has obtained a valid expungement order. Juvenile arrest photographs are generally not subject to public disclosure under Indiana law.