Lake County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Lake County, Indiana, are available through several channels. LakeCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly accessible information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court system, county law enforcement agencies — including the Sheriff's Bureau of Identification — and the office of the county court clerk. Below are specific steps, tools, and contact details for each search method.

How to Search Criminal Records in Lake County

To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:

• The person's full name (first and last name)
• Date of birth
• Case number

Through LakeCourt.us

Start with LakeCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available data on criminal proceedings in the county. This is a convenient way to quickly check basic information before contacting official sources.

Online Search through Official Portals

1. MyCase — Indiana's public access portal to court cases. Allows searches by name or case number. Note: data on the portal may contain inaccuracies, and official copies of documents should be requested directly from the court. The portal also provides a search guide explaining filters and limitations.
2. Indiana State Police — Limited Criminal History — limited criminal history search showing only felonies and Class A misdemeanors within the state.
3. Bureau of Identification (B of I) — Sheriff's Bureau of Identification in Lake County maintains all criminal records of the sheriff's department, including firearm permits and incident reports.
4. INjail Public Access — public portal for inmate search in Indiana county jails by last name, first name, and date of birth.
5. Indiana SAVIN — victim notification system where offender information can also be found.
6. IDOC Incarcerated Search — search for inmates in state correctional facilities by last name.

In-Person Visit

The Clerk's Office of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court accepts requests for searching and copying court records. Public access terminals are located in the courthouse.

For felony-related cases, there is a separate felony division of the clerk's office that handles extradition documents, search warrants, and subpoenas.

Mail Request

Send a written request to the clerk's office (address above), including the person's full name, date of birth, and, if available, case number. Include a copy of your ID and payment of applicable fees (check or money order). For an official statewide criminal history, requests can also be directed to the Indiana State Police.

Search Lake County Criminal Cases by Case Number

In Indiana, a case number has a standard format that includes several components:

• County number — a two-digit code; for Lake County, it is 45.
• Court code — a letter or alphanumeric designation of the court type (e.g., C for Circuit Court, D for Superior Court, G for specific divisions).
• Case type code — a two-digit designation of the category: F (felony), CM (misdemeanor), IF (infraction), etc.
• Sequential number — a six-digit number assigned in order of registration during the year.

Example: 45G01-2401-F6-000123 indicates a level 6 felony case registered in 2024 in one of the divisions of the Lake County Superior Court. Knowing the exact number will yield the fastest result on any of the portals — simply enter it in the appropriate search field.

Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lake County

Charges

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 final decision
• Closed — the case is fully completed, all obligations have been fulfilled

Types of Hearings

• Arraignment — initial presentation of charges, the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
• Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
• Pre-trial conference — parties discuss procedural issues, possibility of a plea agreement
• Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
• Review hearing — check on compliance with probation terms or other obligations

Court Results

How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lake County

Certified copies are documents with the court's official seal, accepted by other institutions as legal proof. They are issued by the clerk's office.

Where to Apply

• Court records — Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court
• Arrest records and county criminal history — Sheriff's Bureau of Identification
• State-level criminal history — Indiana State Police (Limited Criminal History or full fingerprint-based check)

How to Submit a Request

1. In person — visit the clerk's office with valid photo ID (driver's license or passport). Fill out the request form on-site.
2. By mail — send a written request stating the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), a copy of ID, and payment in the form of a check or money order payable to Lake County Clerk.
3. Online — for state-level records, use the Indiana State Police portal. For court records not available online, contact the clerk's office directly.

Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lake County

Fees for criminal records in Indiana are governed by several statutes, including IC 33-37-5 (court fees) and IC 10-13-3 (fees for criminal history checks through State Police). Specific amounts may change — check current rates with the clerk's office or relevant agency.

Processing Times

• In person — simple copies are usually ready the same day or within a few business days.
• By mail — 5 to 15 business days, depending on request volume.
• Online (ISP Limited Criminal History) — results are available immediately after data entry.

For large requests or older cases, processing may take longer. Call the clerk's office at (219) 755-3460 to check the status of your request or inquire about additional fees.