Hancock County Court Records
What Is Hancock County Court Records
Court records in Hancock County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the formal written history of legal actions and include a broad range of materials: case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and any other documents filed with or produced by the court. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, public records are defined broadly to include any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in Hancock County. Property records, for example, are held by the Hancock County Assessor and Recorder, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Indiana Department of Health and local health offices. Court records, by contrast, document the judicial process itself and are custodied by the clerk of the court in which the matter was heard.
The following courts in Hancock County maintain official court records:
- Hancock County Circuit Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, and probate proceedings
- Hancock County Superior Court — hears civil, criminal, family law, and juvenile matters
- Hancock County Small Claims Court — adjudicates minor civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts
- Hancock County Traffic Court — processes traffic infractions and related violations
- Probate Division — manages estate administration, guardianships, and trust matters
- Family Court Division — oversees dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support cases
Records maintained across these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and juvenile matters, providing a comprehensive documentary record of judicial activity in Hancock County. Members of the public seeking information about the local court system may consult the Hancock County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch for current court information and case search tools.
Are Court Records Public In Hancock County
Court records in Hancock County are presumptively open to the public under Indiana law. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, establishes that any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours. Indiana courts are considered public agencies for purposes of this statute, and judicial records are subject to its provisions unless a specific exemption applies.
The following categories of court records are generally available for public inspection in Hancock County:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate and inventories
It is important to distinguish between Indiana state court records and records of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, which serves Hancock County at the federal level. Federal court records are governed by federal law and are accessible through the federal PACER system, not through Indiana's state court portals.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Indiana law, including juvenile records, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and records sealed by court order. The Indiana Supreme Court has adopted administrative rules governing access to court records, and members of the public may review the Indiana Judicial Branch public records policy for detailed guidance on what is and is not accessible.
How To Find Court Records in Hancock County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Hancock County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and whether the matter is recent or historical.
Step 1 — Identify the correct court. Determine which court handled the case in question. Civil and criminal matters are typically filed in the Circuit or Superior Court; small claims are handled in a separate division; traffic matters may appear in a dedicated traffic docket.
Step 2 — Search online first. Use the Indiana Courts case search portal to locate case information before visiting in person. Many records are indexed and partially available online at no cost.
Step 3 — Visit the Clerk's Office in person. Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Hancock County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Staff can assist in locating records by case number, party name, or filing date.
Step 4 — Submit a written records request if needed. For certified copies or records not available online, a written request may be submitted to the Clerk's Office. Fees for copies are set by Indiana statute and are currently assessed on a per-page basis.
Step 5 — Allow processing time. Routine requests are typically fulfilled within a few business days. Complex or voluminous requests may require additional time.
Hancock County Clerk of the Circuit Court 9 East Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1109 Hancock County Government Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
How To Look Up Court Records in Hancock County Online?
Indiana provides several official online portals through which members of the public may search Hancock County court records without visiting a courthouse in person.
MyCase – Indiana Courts Case Search The primary statewide portal for searching Indiana court records is MyCase, maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court. MyCase provides public access to case information from courts across the state, including Hancock County. Users may search by:
- Party name (first and last name)
- Case number
- Attorney name
- Court location
Search steps on MyCase:
- Navigate to the MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov
- Select "Public Access" from the available options
- Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying information
- Select "Hancock County" from the court location filter
- Review the list of matching cases and select the relevant matter
- View available docket entries, filings, and case status information
Indiana Judicial Branch – Local Court Information The Hancock County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides court-specific information, including links to case search tools, court statistics, and e-filing resources for Judicial District 17, which encompasses Hancock and Johnson counties.
PACER – Federal Court Records For federal cases involving Hancock County parties, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system at pacer.uscourts.gov provides access to U.S. District Court filings. PACER requires registration and charges a per-page fee for document retrieval.
How To Search Hancock County Court Records for Free?
Indiana law guarantees the right of any person to inspect public court records at no charge during regular business hours. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, a public agency may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records; fees may only be assessed for the reproduction of copies.
The following free search options are currently available for Hancock County court records:
- MyCase (mycase.in.gov) — Free public access to case index information, docket entries, and basic case details for most Indiana courts, including all Hancock County courts. No registration is required for basic searches.
- In-person inspection at the Clerk's Office — Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Hancock County Clerk's Office at no cost. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Indiana Judicial Branch court information pages — General court information, hearing schedules, and procedural guidance are available at no cost through the Indiana Judicial Branch website.
Fees are assessed when certified copies or paper reproductions are requested. The Hancock County Clerk's Office currently charges a statutory per-page fee for photocopies and an additional fee for certification of documents.
What's Included in a Hancock County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but Hancock County court records generally include the following categories of documents and information.
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
- Motions filed by either party (motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, etc.)
- Court orders and rulings on motions
- Discovery-related filings (where entered into the record)
- Trial transcripts and exhibits
- Final judgment and any post-judgment orders
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging information or indictment
- Arrest and booking information (where filed with the court)
- Bail and bond orders
- Plea agreements
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (access may be restricted)
- Sentencing orders
- Probation terms and conditions
Family Law Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and modifications
- Domestic violence protective orders (some may be restricted)
Probate Records:
- Petition to open estate
- Will (if admitted to probate)
- Inventory of assets
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Small Claims Records:
- Claim form and notice to defendant
- Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
- Payment plans and satisfaction of judgment
Traffic Records:
- Citation information
- Hearing date and outcome
- Fine amounts and license-related actions
How Long Does Hancock County Keep Court Records?
Hancock County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records and the Indiana Supreme Court. Retention periods vary by record type and court division.
Current retention periods for principal record categories are as follows:
- Felony criminal case files — Retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years following case closure
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files (general) — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
- Probate records — Retained permanently, as they establish legal title to property and family relationships
- Juvenile records — Retained until the subject reaches age 23, subject to expungement provisions
- Small claims records — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following judgment
- Traffic infraction records — Retained for a minimum of 5 years
These schedules are established pursuant to Indiana administrative rules and the records management authority of the Indiana Commission on Public Records. Courts are required to maintain records in a manner that ensures their accessibility and integrity throughout the applicable retention period. Historical records that have exceeded their retention period may have been transferred to the Indiana State Archives or destroyed in accordance with approved disposal schedules.
Types of Courts In Hancock County
Hancock County's court system operates within Indiana's unified trial court structure. The courts are organized hierarchically, with appeals flowing from the trial courts upward through the Indiana Court of Appeals to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Hancock County Circuit Court 9 East Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1109 Hancock County Circuit Court Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hancock County Superior Court 1 9 East Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1109 Hancock County Superior Court Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hancock County Superior Court 2 9 East Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 477-1109 Hancock County Superior Court 2 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Indiana Court of Appeals (Fifth District) Indiana Government Center South, 302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-1420 Indiana Court of Appeals
Indiana Supreme Court 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-2540 Indiana Supreme Court
The court hierarchy in Indiana proceeds as follows: Small Claims and Traffic divisions (limited jurisdiction) → Superior and Circuit Courts (general trial jurisdiction) → Indiana Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate review) → Indiana Supreme Court (final appellate authority).
What Types of Cases Do Hancock County Courts Hear?
Each court within Hancock County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of legal matters.
Hancock County Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Major civil litigation (disputes exceeding small claims limits)
- Probate matters, including estate administration and guardianships
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Appeals from administrative agencies
Hancock County Superior Court 1 and Superior Court 2:
- Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil disputes
- Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) proceedings
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Small claims matters (within designated divisions)
Small Claims Division:
- Civil money claims currently not exceeding $10,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes within the monetary limit
- Property damage claims
Traffic Division:
- Moving and non-moving traffic infractions
- Suspended license hearings
- Matters arising from traffic stops within Hancock County
Probate Division:
- Decedent estate administration
- Will contests
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Trust administration matters
How To Find a Court Docket In Hancock County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access Hancock County court dockets through the following methods.
Online Search via MyCase: The Indiana Courts case search system at MyCase provides free public access to docket information for cases filed in Hancock County courts. Users may search by party name or case number and view the full docket history, including filing dates, document types, and scheduled hearing dates.
Steps to locate a docket online:
- Visit mycase.in.gov
- Select the public access search option
- Enter the case number or party name
- Filter results by Hancock County
- Select the case to view the complete docket sheet
In-Person Docket Review: Members of the public may review docket sheets in person at the Hancock County Clerk's Office, located at 9 East Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Clerk staff can retrieve docket information by case number or party name.
Hearing Schedules: Current hearing schedules for Hancock County courts are available through the Indiana Judicial Branch local court page, which lists upcoming proceedings and court calendars for Judicial District 17.
Which Courts in Hancock County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and whose judgments carry a presumption of validity. Under Indiana law, courts of record have the authority to fine and imprison for contempt and to maintain a permanent record of their proceedings.
At present, all active trial courts in Hancock County — the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts — are courts of record under Indiana law. Indiana Code § 33-29-1-1 establishes the superior court as a court of record, and the Circuit Court has historically held court-of-record status under the Indiana Constitution.
Certain limited-jurisdiction proceedings, such as informal small claims hearings conducted without a formal transcript, may not generate a complete verbatim record in the same manner as full trial proceedings. However, the courts administering these proceedings — the Superior Courts and Circuit Court — remain courts of record, and their judgments and orders carry full legal effect.
Initial hearings before a magistrate or commissioner, when conducted as a subordinate judicial officer of a court of record, are considered part of that court's record. Any party dissatisfied with a magistrate's ruling may seek review by the presiding judge of the court of record, as provided under Indiana court rules. Members of the public seeking to understand the distinction between courts of record and other proceedings may consult the Indiana Judicial Branch public records guidance for additional information.