Law enforcement officials in Indiana make approximately 186,000 arrests each year, with about 3,431 occurring in LaPorte County. Under the state's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), most arrest records are publicly accessible, with a maximum request fee of $7.00. However, access to certain records is restricted, and these include cases involving juveniles, matters of child welfare and custody, incidents of domestic violence, and records that have been expunged. Only a select group of authorized personnel, such as county prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and members of the LaPorte County District Attorney's Office, are permitted to view these confidential records.
Arrest records found within LaPorte County are available through several law enforcement and judicial bodies. These include the Sheriff's Office within LaPorte, local police departments, the LaPorte County Clerk of Courts, and the Indiana State Police.
The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office maintains most arrest records and jail inmate information for the county. Individuals seeking to access these records may do so by submitting a Public Records Act Form either in person or by mail to the following address:
LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
809 State Street
Suite 202A
La Porte, IN 46350
Phone: (219) 326-7700
Alternatively, individuals may conduct an online search for the desired records using the Indiana State Police's Limited Criminal History Search portal or the MyCase website, both of which are state-maintained record search portals.
In LaPorte County, local police departments also maintain arrest records. Individuals interested in these records should contact the police department in the town or city where the arrest occurred.
Many local police departments in LaPorte County offer online portals where arrest records can be searched, making it easier to access information remotely. This is especially useful for persons with limited time or who cannot travel easily. The following are some of the municipal law enforcement agencies in LaPorte County:
The Indiana State Police (ISP) serves as the primary custodian for criminal history records, court documents, and arrest information sourced from law enforcement agencies throughout Indiana.
Interested persons may access La Porte County arrest records online through the ISP's Criminal History Search Portal. Alternatively, written requests may be submitted by mail to:
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Division
100 North Senate Avenue
Room N302
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Fees for processing these requests are as follows: $7.00 for requests by mail, $16.32 for online queries, and $15.00 for those made in person. For further assistance, contact the Criminal History Division at (317) 232-8262.
Arrest records are integrated into court records when formal charges are filed and legal proceedings commence. In LaPorte County, these records, including both misdemeanor and felony cases, are managed by the County Clerk of Courts.
Individuals seeking these records may use MyCase, the Indiana Judiciary's online case search system, which offers a convenient electronic means to access criminal case information. Those preferring in-person requests, you may visit:
LaPorte County Clerk of Courts
813 Lincolnway
Suite 105
La Porte, IN 46350
Phone: (219) 326-6808
For more comprehensive access, third-party services such as InfoTracer provide an efficient alternative for obtaining arrest records, often at a more affordable cost.
In Laporte County, there are approximately 31 for every 10,000 residents. Below is a detailed analysis of the arrest patterns within the county:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 8 |
| Strangulation | 33 |
| Robbery | 13 |
| Battery | 162 |
| Intimidation | 80 |
| Burglary | 26 |
| Trespassing | 83 |
| Theft/Conversion | 261 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 481 |
| Total Crimes Against Property | 441 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 3,206 |
Source: Indiana State Police