DeKalb County Public Records / DeKalb County Arrest Records

DeKalb County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in DeKalb County in 2026

DeKalbINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records, booking data, court filings, and related criminal justice records in DeKalb County, Indiana. Members of the public may find booking photographs, charge information, custody status, bond details, and associated court case numbers through the resources listed below. Record availability varies by agency, record age, and whether the subject has obtained an expungement or sealing order under Indiana law.

Records in DeKalb County may be searched through the following official channels:

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office arrest and jail records
Indiana MyCase court case search portal
DeKalb County Clerk of Circuit Court
Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History database
Indiana County Jail Public Portal
Indiana Department of Correction Incarcerated Database

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office maintains current jail roster and booking information accessible to the public online. Members of the public may conduct an inmate search to view booking information, charges filed at the time of arrest, and bond details for individuals currently held at the DeKalb County Jail. The roster is updated on a regular basis and reflects current custody status. Individuals who have been released, bonded out, or transferred may no longer appear in the active roster. For records of past bookings, a formal records request must be submitted to the Sheriff's Office.

2. Local Police Departments

Municipal police departments within DeKalb County maintain their own arrest records and incident reports. The Butler Police Department serves the City of Butler and handles arrest records for incidents occurring within city limits. Incidents occurring outside incorporated city limits fall under the jurisdiction of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public seeking arrest logs or press releases from municipal agencies should contact the relevant department directly.

Butler Police Department
340 S. Broadway St.
Butler, IN 46721
Phone: (260) 868-2165
Butler Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Clerk of Courts – DeKalb County serves as the official record keeper for all criminal cases filed in the DeKalb Circuit and Superior Courts. As stated on the county's official website, "The Office of Clerk of Circuit Court is established by the Indiana State Constitution to serve as the record keeper for the constitutionally created Circuit." Members of the public may search criminal case records by name through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal, which provides access to case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case dispositions. The Indiana Judicial Branch notes that "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining" those records.

Indiana court records accessible through the DeKalb County portal include criminal filings, civil matters, and protective orders. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on accessing case documents, protection orders, and the child abuse registry statewide.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search provides statewide criminal history records to members of the public. A Limited Criminal History contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests within Indiana. The current fee for a public name-based search is $16.32 per request, payable online. This database does not include juvenile records, expunged records, or arrests that did not result in charges. The Indiana Incarcerated Database Search maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction allows the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities. The Indiana County Jail Public Portal enables searches across multiple county jails statewide by last name, first name, and date of birth.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
215 E. 9th St.
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-3365
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest or booking number. Fees for paper copies of records are assessed per page in accordance with Indiana law.

Clerk of Court:

DeKalb County Clerk of Circuit Court
100 S. Main St., Suite 109
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-0912
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Clerk of Courts – DeKalb County

Members of the public may inspect criminal case files at the Clerk's office during regular business hours. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at 215 E. 9th St., Auburn, IN 46706. Each request should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requestor's full name and return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Processing time varies based on record volume and staff availability.

By Phone:

The Sheriff's Office records division may be reached at (260) 925-3365 during regular business hours. Staff may provide limited information by telephone, including custody status and scheduled court dates. Detailed record information requires a formal written request or in-person visit.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated investigative materials through formal discovery procedures. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access channels. Records obtained through legal proceedings are subject to applicable court orders and protective orders.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number, if known
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, municipal police department, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in DeKalb County

Arrest records in DeKalb County are public records subject to disclosure under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified at Ind. Code § 5-14-3. Under current law, any person may inspect and copy public records of a public agency, including law enforcement booking records, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The public interest in government transparency, community safety, journalistic inquiry, and background screening supports broad access to arrest information.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee's full legal name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond or bail amount and type
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Indiana law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access pursuant to Ind. Code § 35-38-9
Court-ordered sealed records are not available for public inspection
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
Identities of undercover officers and confidential informants are exempt
Victim-identifying information is restricted in certain offense categories
Participants in witness protection programs are exempt from disclosure

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable housing discrimination laws
Licensing and regulatory agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers and landlords who use arrest records for screening purposes must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., which governs the permissible use of consumer reports including criminal history information. Indiana does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though individual municipalities may have adopted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record: an arrest reflects a law enforcement action and does not constitute proof of guilt or a finding of criminal liability.

What's in DeKalb County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Indiana statute numbers alleged to have been violated
Charge classification (felony level or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations, where applicable

Booking Information:

Name and location of booking facility
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status
Bond amount set by the court
Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond
Release date and time, if applicable
Conditions of release, where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment, where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest or police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during investigation
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in booking records
Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated after arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Aggregate information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in DeKalb County?

Members of the public may inspect public records at the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at no charge during regular business hours. Fees are assessed when copies are requested. Under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-8, a public agency may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of copying the record.

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10 per page (standard rate)
Certified copies	Varies by document type
Crash reports	Set by agency schedule
Electronic records	Actual cost of reproduction
Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History	$16.32 per search

Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office include cash, check, and money order. The DeKalb County Document Center provides access to various county documents online at no charge where available. Inspection of records in person does not require payment of a copy fee. Fee waiver provisions may apply to indigent requestors or nonprofit organizations in certain circumstances; requestors should inquire directly with the records division.

How To Delete Arrest Records in DeKalb County

Indiana law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the sealing or restriction of records from public view, and restricted access orders for certain qualifying circumstances. Expungement under Ind. Code § 35-38-9 does not physically destroy records but restricts their disclosure to the general public. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain access to expunged records for specified purposes.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Arrests where no charges were filed: Eligible one year after the date of arrest
Charges filed but subsequently dismissed: Eligible one year after dismissal
Convictions for Class D felonies (now Level 6 felonies) and misdemeanors: Eligible eight years after conviction, subject to conditions
Certain felony convictions: Eligible after eight years, with prosecutorial consent required in some cases
Serious violent felonies and sex offenses: Not eligible for expungement under current Indiana law

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Confirm eligibility based on offense type, waiting period, and compliance with sentence conditions
Obtain the case number and court of jurisdiction from the DeKalb County Clerk of Circuit Court
Prepare and file a Petition for Expungement in the court where the case was adjudicated
Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office
Attend the scheduled hearing, if required by the court
Upon entry of the expungement order, notify all relevant agencies including the Indiana State Police and the arresting agency

DeKalb County Clerk of Circuit Court
100 S. Main St., Suite 109
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-0912
Clerk of Courts – DeKalb County

DeKalb County Prosecutor's Office
100 S. Main St.
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-0912

Individuals who cannot afford legal representation may seek assistance from Indiana Legal Services or a private attorney. Following entry of an expungement order, the Indiana State Police updates the state criminal history repository, and the subject may legally state in most circumstances that the arrest did not occur.

What Happens After Arrest in DeKalb County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the DeKalb County Jail located at 215 E. 9th St., Auburn, IN 46706. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene if investigation requires.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the jail, the booking process commences and typically requires one to four hours depending on facility volume. The process includes:

Recording of personal identifying information
Administration of Miranda advisement if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Collection of fingerprints
Criminal history and outstanding warrant check
Inventory and storage of personal property
Issuance of jail clothing
Medical and brief mental health screening
Housing classification determination

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Indiana law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay, and in no event later than 48 hours following arrest absent extraordinary circumstances. At the initial hearing, the court:

Formally advises the defendant of the charges
Determines eligibility for appointed counsel
Sets bond or bail
Advises the defendant of rights

Hearings may be conducted via video conference from the jail facility.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the court or jail. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all required court dates.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set by Indiana law at ten percent of the bond amount.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The court may order the defendant held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or active out-of-state warrants.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, release processing takes approximately one to eight hours. The defendant receives a court date, written conditions of release, and return of personal property. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant. If bond is not posted, the defendant is assigned to a housing unit, receives an inmate orientation, and is informed of commissary, telephone, and visitation procedures.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender: Individuals who cannot afford private counsel may apply for appointment of a public defender. Eligibility is based on income. The DeKalb County Public Defender's Office is located at the DeKalb County Courthouse, 100 S. Main St., Auburn, IN 46706, Phone: (260) 925-0912.

Private Attorney: Defendants retain the right to hire private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The Indiana State Bar Association provides attorney referral services at (317) 639-5465.

Charging Decision:

The DeKalb County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file modified charges. For felony offenses, the prosecutor may proceed by Information or, in certain cases, present the matter to a grand jury. The arraignment, at which the defendant enters a formal plea, is scheduled within a reasonable time following the filing of charges.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, and pretrial conferences. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio or video recordings. Pretrial motions may address suppression of evidence, dismissal, or other legal issues. Plea negotiations may result in a resolution prior to trial.

Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or mental health court, plea agreement, or trial. Diversion program completion results in dismissal of charges and eligibility for expungement. If convicted at trial or by plea, the court imposes sentence at a sentencing hearing. Sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination thereof.

Important Contacts:

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
215 E. 9th St.
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-3365
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

DeKalb County Clerk of Circuit Court
100 S. Main St., Suite 109
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-0912
Clerk of Courts – DeKalb County

DeKalb County Prosecutor's Office
100 S. Main St.
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-0912

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case until counsel is present
Do not discuss the case with other inmates, family members, or acquaintances
Contact family or friends to assist with bond if applicable
Appear at all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in DeKalb County?

Records retention in DeKalb County is governed by Indiana law and the policies of the Indiana Commission on Public Records, which establishes retention schedules for state and local government agencies.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions: Records are retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, Indiana State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records appear on background checks indefinitely.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Records are retained permanently at the state repository level. Local law enforcement and court records are subject to applicable retention schedules but are not routinely destroyed for conviction records.

Dismissed Charges: Arrest records associated with dismissed charges may remain in law enforcement databases unless the subject obtains an expungement order. Court records for dismissed cases are retained according to the Indiana Commission on Public Records schedule, which provides for permanent retention of court case files in many categories.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where no charges were filed are subject to shorter retention periods at the local level and may be eligible for expungement one year after the date of arrest under Indiana law.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records, arrest reports, and investigative files are retained in accordance with the Indiana Local Government Records Retention Schedule. Felony-related records are retained permanently; misdemeanor and non-conviction records are subject to varying retention periods.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for a minimum of ten years following case closure. Electronic records maintained in the court's case management system are retained indefinitely.

Indiana State Police Repository: The state criminal history repository retains arrest records for all Indiana jurisdictions. Expunged records are restricted from public access but retained in the restricted repository accessible to law enforcement.

FBI Database: The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level on a permanent basis. These records are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used for employment background checks involving firearms, federal employment, and other federally regulated purposes.

Effect of Expungement on Retention:

Following entry of an expungement order, the Indiana State Police restricts the subject record from public access and notifies relevant agencies. Local law enforcement agencies are required to restrict the record. The FBI database may retain the record with a notation reflecting the expungement. Third-party commercial background check companies are not automatically updated and may retain records beyond the expungement date; individuals may need to contact such companies directly to request removal.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumer reporting agencies may report criminal convictions indefinitely. Non-conviction arrest records are subject to the seven-year reporting limitation for most employment purposes under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c. Indiana does not currently impose a shorter reporting period by statute for private-sector background checks, though expunged records are not to be reported following entry of a valid expungement order.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about the retention status of a specific arrest record may contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (260) 925-3365 or submit a written public records request. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.