Criminal records in Bartholomew County, Indiana, are accessible through several channels. BartholomewCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information. You can also search through Indiana's statewide court portal, local law enforcement agencies like the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department, and the Bartholomew County Clerk's office. Each resource covers different record types, from active court cases to jail booking data and certified criminal histories.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bartholomew County
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- BartholomewCourt.us — Search for publicly available Bartholomew County criminal court record information by name or case number.
- Indiana MyCase — The statewide court case search portal maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch. Look up non-confidential criminal cases filed in Bartholomew County's Circuit Court and Superior Courts. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
- Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History — Run a name-based search for felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. This is a public tool and does not require fingerprints.
- Indiana County Jail Public Portal (INjail) — Check current jail bookings in Bartholomew County. Search by last name, first name, or date of birth.
- Indiana Department of Correction Offender Locator — Find individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities. Search by name or DOC number.
- Indiana SAVIN — Register for automated victim notifications about an offender's custody status changes.
In Person
Visit the Bartholomew County Clerk's office at the courthouse to search court records on public access terminals or request assistance from staff. You can also contact the Bartholomew County Courts directly for questions about specific cases.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Bartholomew County Clerk at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. The Indiana Judicial Branch provides guidance on how to request public court records.
- State criminal history: For a formal criminal history report, submit a request to the Indiana State Police Central Records Division. Fingerprint-based checks are required for official background checks.
- County public records: Bartholomew County accepts public records requests through its online contact form.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (recommended to narrow results)
- Case number (if searching for a specific case)
- DOC number (for state prison searches)
Search Bartholomew County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Indiana uses a standardized case number format across all courts. If you have a case number, you can look it up directly on MyCase for faster, more precise results.
Indiana Case Number Format
A typical Bartholomew County case number looks like this: 03C01-2401-F6-000123
| Segment | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 03 | County code (Bartholomew County is 03) | 03 |
| C01 | Court identifier (C = Circuit Court; D01/D02 = Superior Courts 1 and 2) | C01 |
| 2401 | Year and month filed (January 2024) | 2401 |
| F6 | Case type (F6 = Level 6 Felony; CM = Class A Misdemeanor; etc.) | F6 |
| 000123 | Sequential filing number | 000123 |
Common case type codes for criminal matters:
- F1–F6 — Felony levels 1 through 6
- FA, FB, FC, FD — Former felony classes (older cases)
- CM — Misdemeanor
- IF — Infraction
- MC — Miscellaneous criminal
Bartholomew County constitutes the ninth judicial circuit and has a Circuit Court plus two Superior Courts, so case numbers may reference C01, D01, or D02 depending on which court handled the case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bartholomew County
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references an Indiana Code section (e.g., IC 35-42-1-1 for murder). The statute identifies the specific offense.
- Severity: Indiana classifies felonies by level (Level 1 being the most serious, Level 6 the least). Misdemeanors are classified as Class A, B, or C. Infractions are non-criminal violations.
- Amended charges: Prosecutors may amend charges during the case — a felony might be reduced to a misdemeanor through plea negotiations. Both original and amended charges typically appear in the case record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case has been filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All obligations fulfilled; case is administratively closed |
Hearing Types
| Hearing | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Initial hearing / Arraignment | Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea |
| Preliminary hearing | Court determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases) |
| Pre-trial conference | Attorneys discuss case status, plea offers, and scheduling |
| Jury / Bench trial | Evidence is presented and a verdict is reached |
| Sentencing | Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea |
| Review hearing | Court checks compliance with probation or other conditions |
Court Results
- Guilty: Defendant convicted by plea or trial
- Not guilty: Defendant acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor
- Dismissed with prejudice: Charges cannot be refiled
- Deferred judgment: Conviction may be withheld if the defendant completes certain conditions
- Acquitted: Found not guilty after trial
Some records may be excluded from public access under Indiana Access to Court Records Rule 5, which restricts certain sealed, expunged, or confidential case information.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bartholomew County
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, employment verification, and licensing. Uncertified copies are available for general informational purposes.
Where to Request
- Bartholomew County Clerk's Office — Handles certified copies of court records for cases filed in Bartholomew County courts.
- Indiana State Police — Issues formal criminal history reports (Limited Criminal History for public name-based searches; full background checks require fingerprints).
- Columbus Police Department — The Columbus Police Records Division may provide copies of local police reports.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can locate the case and produce certified copies while you wait, depending on volume.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk's office with the defendant's name, case number (if known), date of birth, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment for applicable fees.
- Online: Some court documents may be available through MyCase, but certified copies generally require an in-person or mail request.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Written requests should include your name, contact information, and relationship to the case (if applicable)
For older or archived records, contact the Bartholomew County Archives Department, which maintains historical public records for the county.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bartholomew County
Fees for criminal record copies in Indiana are guided by IC 33-37-5 (clerk fees) and individual county fee schedules. Contact the Clerk's office to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.00 | Standard per-page rate under Indiana statute |
| Certified copy | $5.00+ | Includes court seal; additional pages may incur per-page charges |
| ISP Limited Criminal History (online) | Free | Name-based public search; not a certified background check |
| ISP formal background check | Varies | Fingerprint-based; fees depend on purpose (employment, volunteer, etc.) |
| INjail booking search | Free | Online jail roster lookup |
| MyCase search | Free | Online court case information |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed the same day, depending on staff availability and record complexity.
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days after receipt, though times may vary.
- Online searches (MyCase, ISP, INjail): Results are immediate.
- Archived records: May take longer if documents need to be retrieved from storage.
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office typically include cash, check, and money order. Call ahead at 812-379-1600 to confirm accepted payment types and current fee amounts before visiting or mailing a request.