Posey County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Posey County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Posey County may access publicly available information through PoseyRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Posey County, Indiana, encompass a range of documents generated through the criminal justice process, and the availability of specific records depends on the type of record, the requesting party, and applicable state law.
Users searching these records may find information related to the following categories:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Warrant information
- Jail and inmate records
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and sentencing records
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which members of the public may obtain criminal records.
1. County Court Records
The Posey County Circuit Court and Superior Court maintain case files for all criminal proceedings filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during business hours.
Posey County Courthouse – Circuit/Superior Court Clerk
300 Main Street
Mount Vernon, IN 47620
Phone: (812) 838-1306
Posey County Clerk
Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for on-site case searches.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Posey County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Requests for jail records may be submitted in person or in writing.
Posey County Sheriff's Office
301 E 4th Street
Mount Vernon, IN 47620
Phone: (812) 838-1454
Posey County Sheriff
3. Online Court Search
Indiana's statewide court portal, mycase.in.gov, allows members of the public to search court records by name, case number, or attorney. Users may filter results by county and case type. The portal reflects case information as entered by court staff and may not include all historical records predating electronic filing.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Indiana State Police maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified reports, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type. At present, the standard fee for a name-based check is $16.32, and fingerprint-based checks are $28.00.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be directed to the Posey County Clerk's office at 300 Main Street, Mount Vernon, IN 47620. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Posey County Criminal Record
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. In Indiana, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies as a case moves through the justice system.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification under Indiana law, carrying potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Indiana law. Juvenile records are confidential and sealed by statute under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Posey County include:
- Posey County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking logs
- Posey County Circuit and Superior Courts – case files, charges, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Indiana State Police Criminal History Division – statewide criminal history repository
- Mount Vernon Police Department – local arrest and incident reports
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated as charges are filed or modified, and finalized upon disposition. A complete record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The Indiana Courts case search portal provides access to court-level records statewide.
Are Criminal Records Public In Posey County
Criminal records in Posey County are subject to public access under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are among the records available to the public.
The following categories of records are accessible to the public:
- Adult arrest records and booking information
- Court case filings, charges, and dispositions
- Sentencing orders and probation records
- Sex offender registration information
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records (sealed under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2)
- Expunged records (restricted under Indiana's expungement statute)
- Sealed court records pursuant to judicial order
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and medical records within case files
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal disclosure rules and are not subject to Indiana's public records law. The Indiana Public Access Counselor provides guidance on the application of the Access to Public Records Act and issues advisory opinions on disputed access questions.
How To Find Criminal Records in Posey County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Posey County court records is the Indiana Courts public case search, which allows users to search by name or case number across all Indiana counties, including Posey County. The portal contains case-level information including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. The Posey County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate and booking information.
State-Level Resources
- Indiana Courts – mycase.in.gov: Statewide court case search
- Indiana State Police Background Checks: Name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history reports
- Indiana Sex Offender Registry: Searchable statewide sex offender database
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies share data in real time
- Older records may not appear in online systems and may require in-person requests
Limitations
Online databases reflect data as entered by court and agency staff and may lag behind actual case activity. Records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Posey County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Indiana law mandates that members of the public may inspect public records at no charge. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, inspection of records is free; fees apply only to copies. In-person inspection is available at the Posey County Clerk's office and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Courts Case Search | Case filings, charges, dispositions | mycase.in.gov |
| Posey County Sheriff | Current inmate/booking info | poseyco.us |
| Indiana Sex Offender Registry | Offender search statewide | icrimewatch.net |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Posey County Sheriff's Office are available for public inspection at no charge during business hours.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: $1.00 per page (standard court fee)
- Official Indiana State Police name-based background check: $16.32
- Fingerprint-based background check: $28.00
- Staff-assisted record searches: fees may apply per agency policy
- Expedited processing: additional fees may apply
State Fee Law
Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees for copies of public records but may not charge for inspection. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the agency.
What's Included in a Posey County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot (where available)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number (where assigned)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond information
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type
- Charges and applicable statutes (felony or misdemeanor classification)
- Plea entered
- Attorney of record
Disposition
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentence type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions
- Probation or parole terms
- Appeals filed or pending
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or no-contact orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under Indiana law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion programs (where sealed by court order)
Accuracy Note
Errors in criminal records do occur. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their Indiana criminal history may submit a challenge through the Indiana State Police Criminal History Division. Correcting errors requires documentation and may involve coordination between the arresting agency, the court, and the state repository.
How Long Does Posey County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Indiana's record retention schedules, administered through the Indiana Commission on Public Records, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records. Courts and agencies are required to follow these schedules under state law.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18 or upon petition; destruction timelines vary |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts: Court records are retained permanently pursuant to Indiana court administration rules.
- Sheriff and jail records: Booking and jail records are retained according to the Indiana Commission on Public Records schedule, with operational records retained a minimum of three years.
- Indiana State Police repository: Conviction records are maintained permanently; the Indiana State Police serves as the central repository for statewide criminal history.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record per a retention schedule.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement under Indiana Code § 35-38-9 restricts public access to qualifying records and requires agencies to respond to public inquiries as though the record does not exist. Expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing boards.
Individuals seeking expungement in Indiana must meet eligibility criteria based on the offense type, time elapsed since conviction, and completion of sentence. Petition forms are available through the Indiana Courts self-service portal.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are not subject to Indiana's expungement or retention statutes. Federal records are maintained separately and follow distinct access rules.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain in Indiana's criminal history repository permanently and appear on background checks unless expunged. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though Indiana law does not impose a time limit on reporting convictions. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9.