Daviess County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Daviess County
Arrest records in Daviess County, Indiana, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Ind. Code § 5-14-3, members of the public may inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement agencies, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This means that arrest logs, booking records, and related documentation maintained by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies are ordinarily accessible to any person upon request.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the fact that an individual was 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 arrest that did not result in a conviction may be subject to expungement, which can limit subsequent public access to that record. The Indiana State Police maintains statewide criminal history data, and members of the public may access Indiana criminal history services through the ISP portal for official record inquiries.
What's in Daviess County Arrest Records
Daviess County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custodial process. The specific contents of an arrest record may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the offense.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Daviess County Sheriff's Office, Washington Police Department)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
- Indiana Code citation for each charge
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was booked
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, denied)
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the Daviess County Circuit or Superior Court
- Scheduled court appearance dates
- Presiding judge or judicial officer
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and conditions of release, if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
- Co-defendant information where applicable
- Narrative summary of the arresting officer
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Daviess County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Daviess County may obtain them through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process currently in effect.
Step 1 – Identify the Correct Agency. Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. Arrests may be made by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office, the Washington Police Department, or the Indiana State Police, among others.
Step 2 – Submit a Public Records Request. Under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may submit a written or oral request to inspect or copy public records. Written requests are recommended for documentation purposes. Requests should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any known case or booking number.
Step 3 – Contact the Daviess County Sheriff's Office. For arrests made by the Sheriff's Office or for jail booking records, requestors should contact the agency directly.
Daviess County Sheriff's Office 1 Courthouse Square, Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-1060 Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Step 4 – Contact the Daviess County Clerk's Office. Court-related arrest and case records may be obtained through the Circuit Court Clerk.
Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8664 Daviess County – Indiana Judicial Branch
Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Step 5 – Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies of records. Under current law, fees must not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
How To Find Daviess County Arrest Records Online
Several official online resources currently provide access to arrest and criminal history information related to Daviess County residents.
- Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search: Members of the public may conduct a name and date-of-birth-based search of Indiana arrest and conviction records through the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search portal. This resource returns felony and Class A misdemeanor records statewide.
- Indiana Courts Case Search (mycase.in.gov): The Indiana Office of Court Technology maintains a public case search portal at mycase.in.gov, where users may search for court cases by name, case number, or county. This system reflects case filings and dispositions associated with arrests in Daviess County.
- Indiana Department of Correction Offender Locator: Individuals currently or previously incarcerated in an Indiana state facility may be located through the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search, maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction.
- Daviess County Sheriff's Office Website: The Sheriff's Office may publish current inmate rosters or recent arrest logs on its official website at daviessco.in.gov.
How To Search Daviess County Arrest Records for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for members of the public to access Daviess County arrest information.
- Indiana Courts Public Case Search: The mycase.in.gov portal is available at no charge and allows users to search court records, including criminal case filings, by name or case number.
- Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History (Self-Request): Individuals requesting their own criminal history record through the get limited criminal history portal may do so at no cost for a self-check.
- In-Person Inspection at the Clerk's Office: Under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-3, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster: The Daviess County Sheriff's Office may maintain a publicly accessible online inmate roster at no cost.
- Indiana Department of Correction Search: The Indiana Incarcerated Database Search is available to the public at no charge for locating currently or previously incarcerated individuals.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Daviess County
Indiana law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). These are distinct remedies. Expungement results in the destruction or erasure of the record, while sealing restricts access to the record without destroying it. Under Indiana's Second Chance Law, codified at Ind. Code § 35-38-9, eligible individuals may petition a court to expunge arrest records, conviction records, or both, depending on the circumstances.
Circumstances Under Which an Arrest Record May Be Expunged:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction and the charges were dismissed or not filed
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- A conviction was vacated or reversed on appeal
- The required waiting period has elapsed and the individual meets all statutory eligibility criteria
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and any associated court records from the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk.
- Confirm eligibility under Ind. Code § 35-38-9, including applicable waiting periods (ranging from one year for arrests without conviction to up to ten years for certain felony convictions).
- Prepare and file a Petition for Expungement in the Daviess County Circuit or Superior Court. Filing fees may apply.
- Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office as required by statute.
- Attend any scheduled hearing and await the court's order.
Daviess County Prosecutor's Office 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-1060 Daviess County Prosecutor
What Happens After Arrest in Daviess County?
The criminal justice process in Daviess 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 Daviess County Jail, where booking procedures are completed, including fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information.
- Initial Hearing: Within a statutorily prescribed period, the arrestee appears before a judge for an initial hearing, at which charges are formally presented and bail or bond conditions are set.
- Prosecutorial Review: The Daviess County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, decline prosecution, or refer the matter for further investigation.
- Arraignment: If charges are filed, the defendant is arraigned and enters a 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.
- Trial or Plea Disposition: The case is resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a bench or jury trial before the Daviess County Circuit or Superior Court.
- Sentencing: Upon a finding or plea of guilt, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Indiana sentencing guidelines.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Daviess County?
Arrest records in Daviess County are subject to retention schedules established under Indiana law and administrative rules. Under current law, the Indiana Commission on Public Records sets minimum retention periods for government records, including law enforcement and court records.
- Law Enforcement Arrest Records: Arrest records maintained by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office and local police departments are generally retained for a minimum period consistent with the Indiana Local Government Records Retention Schedule, which typically requires retention of arrest logs and booking records for a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the record type and outcome of the case.
- Court Records: Criminal case records maintained by the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk are subject to the Indiana Supreme Court's records retention rules, which mandate permanent retention for felony case files and extended retention for misdemeanor files.
- Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to Ind. Code § 35-38-9 are no longer accessible to the general public, though certain criminal justice agencies may retain access under limited circumstances.
- Retention Preserves Accountability: Retention schedules serve the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing or future legal proceedings and maintaining public accountability for law enforcement actions.
How to Find Mugshots in Daviess County
What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody. Mugshots are part of the official booking record and are created for identification purposes.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots taken in Daviess County are maintained by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office at the county jail. Copies may also be retained by the arresting agency and, in some cases, by the Indiana State Police as part of a statewide criminal history record.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request booking photographs through a formal public records request submitted to the Daviess County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest.
Can They Be Found Online The Daviess County Sheriff's Office may publish current inmate photographs on its official website as part of an inmate roster. Additionally, third-party websites may republish booking photographs obtained from public records; however, such sites are not official government sources.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained by submitting a written public records request to:
Daviess County Sheriff's Office 1 Courthouse Square, Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-1060 Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Booking photographs associated with records that have been expunged under Indiana's Second Chance Law are no longer subject to public disclosure. Additionally, photographs of juveniles are generally exempt from public release under Indiana law.