Criminal records in Vigo County, Indiana, are accessible through several channels—from online tools to official court systems and law enforcement agencies. VigoCourt.us allows you to find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system portal, the Clerk of the Vigo Circuit Court's office, and the Vigo County Sheriff's office. Some records are restricted according to Indiana law.
How to Search Criminal Records in Vigo
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Each is suitable for different situations—from a quick status check of a case to obtaining official documents.
Online Search
- VigoCourt.us — enter the person's first and last name to find public information about court cases in the county.
- Indiana MyCase — the official portal of the Indiana state court system. Searches can be conducted by name, case number, or date of birth. The system displays cases from all state courts, including Vigo Circuit Court and Superior Courts.
- Indiana State Police — Limited Criminal History — the report contains only felonies and Class A misdemeanors within the state. Searches are conducted by name.
- Vigo County Sheriff's Website — offers tools for inmate lookup, as well as the ability to submit a public records request in accordance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3).
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the Vigo Circuit Court office on the first floor of the courthouse:
The clerk can assist with searching court cases through the internal system. Bring a valid ID with you.
Written Request
Requests for court records can be sent by mail to the clerk's office. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. To obtain a state-level criminal history report, contact the Indiana State Police.
What You Need for a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
Search Vigo Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Indiana, a case number has a standard format that includes several elements. Understanding this structure helps quickly find the desired case.
Typical format: 84D01-2301-F6-000123
- 84 — Vigo County code in the Indiana system (each county has a two-digit numeric code)
- D01 — court designation (e.g., D01 for Circuit Court, D02–D06 for Superior Court Divisions)
- 2301 — year and month of filing (2023, January)
- F6 — type of case and severity level. F stands for felony, and the digit indicates the level (Level 6 — the lowest felony in Indiana). CM — misdemeanor, IF — infraction
- 000123 — sequential case number
Enter the full number into the MyCase portal to get case details — charges, hearing dates, status, and court decision.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Vigo
Each criminal case in the county contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to Indiana Code, e.g., IC 35-42-1-1 (murder) |
| Severity Level | Felony (levels 1–6, where 1 is the most severe), Misdemeanor (classes A, B, C), Infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecutor during proceedings — for example, reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor as part of a plea deal |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
A criminal case usually goes through several stages:
- Initial Hearing / Arraignment — first court appearance, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Trial — the case is heard on its merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — review of compliance with sentencing conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — prosecutor dropped charges or judge dismissed the case |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
| Withheld Judgment | Judgment deferred — often with the condition of completing a program (e.g., diversion) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Vigo
Certified copies of court records are issued by the Clerk of the Vigo Circuit Court. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, licensing agencies, and other institutions.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. A valid photo ID is required.
- By Phone — call (812) 231-4499 to check record availability and procedure.
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
Instructions for requesting public records at the state level are available on the Indiana Judicial Branch — How to Request Public Records page.
Records from Law Enforcement
To obtain police reports or arrest records, contact the Vigo County Sheriff's Records Division. Requests are governed by the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC § 5-14-3).
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Vigo
Fees vary depending on the type of document and the issuing agency. Below are approximate rates according to Indiana law.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $1.00 per page | Standard rate according to IC § 33-37-5 |
| Certification | $5.00 per document | Added to the cost of copies |
| Limited Criminal History (ISP) | Free online | Through the Indiana State Police portal; contains only felonies and Class A misdemeanors |
| Full criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | Varies | Contact ISP Criminal History Services for details |
Processing Times
- In Person — simple copies are usually issued the same day or within a few business days.
- By Mail — expect 5–10 business days after the request is received by the clerk's office.
- Online (ISP Limited Criminal History) — results are available immediately after the search.
Some older cases may only be stored in paper form, which increases processing time. Call the clerk's office in advance to check the availability of the required record.