Elkhart OWI Records
Elkhart OWI and DUI records are public court documents filed through Elkhart County courts in Goshen, the county seat. Anyone can search these case records at no cost through Indiana's MyCase portal at MyCase.in.gov. This page explains how to find Elkhart DUI records, how the Elkhart County court system handles OWI cases, what Indiana law says about OWI charges, and how to access expungement or driver records tied to an Elkhart OWI arrest or conviction.
Elkhart Quick Facts
How to Find OWI Records in Elkhart
The primary tool for searching Elkhart OWI and DUI records is MyCase.in.gov. This is the statewide court record portal run by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. It is free to use and available to the public without a login. To find Elkhart cases, enter a person's name or case number and filter by Elkhart County. The results show charge descriptions, filing dates, case status, hearing schedules, and assigned judges. Both open and closed cases appear in the system.
Elkhart is the largest city in Elkhart County. OWI cases from the city, whether arrested by the Elkhart Police Department or by Indiana State Police troopers on US-20 or the Indiana Toll Road, are all filed at Elkhart County courts in Goshen. Goshen is about ten miles south of Elkhart. The Elkhart County Courthouse is at 101 N Main St, Goshen, IN 46526. The Elkhart County Clerk phone number is 574-523-2385. The Elkhart County website at elkhartcountyindiana.gov has additional contact details for court offices and county departments.
Indiana's public records portal connects to Elkhart County court records where Elkhart OWI and DUI cases are filed through the MyCase system.
Elkhart County Court Handling Elkhart OWI Cases
OWI cases from Elkhart are processed at Elkhart County courts in Goshen. Elkhart County has both a Circuit Court and multiple Superior Courts. Most misdemeanor OWI cases go to a Superior Court. Felony OWI charges, including second offenses within seven years, cases involving injury, or cases with other aggravating factors, typically go to the Elkhart County Circuit Court. The specific court assigned to a case will be visible in the MyCase search results once the case is formally filed.
Elkhart is a manufacturing city known for its RV industry. It has an active working population, and OWI enforcement is a regular part of local law enforcement operations. The city's court-related matters, including OWI, are handled at the county level in Goshen, not at a city court within Elkhart itself. If you need to appear in court or request certified copies, plan on going to Goshen to the county courthouse.
For certified copies of Elkhart OWI court documents, contact the Elkhart County Clerk at 574-523-2385. Certified copies have a per-page fee. If you only need to view case information, MyCase is free and does not require certification for basic research purposes.
Note: Court records are posted to MyCase after the formal charging document is filed. An OWI arrest may not appear in the system for several days after the arrest date.
Indiana OWI Law and Elkhart Cases
Indiana law uses the term OWI — Operating While Intoxicated — for what many people call DUI. The governing statute is IC 9-30-5. Under this law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a BAC at or above .08%, or while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances regardless of BAC. The charge level depends on the facts of the case. A first OWI at .08% to .14% BAC is a Class C misdemeanor. BAC at .15% or above, or an offense that endangered another person, becomes a Class A misdemeanor. A second OWI within seven years is a Level 6 felony. Cases involving serious injury or death can be charged at even higher felony levels.
License action after an OWI follows IC 9-30-6. A chemical test refusal or a failed test triggers a BMV action separate from what the court does. Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 may allow limited driving to work or medical appointments during a suspension period if a court grants them. These are not automatic and require a petition to the court.
Elkhart DUI Record Expungement
Indiana allows OWI conviction records to be expunged under IC 35-38-9. Misdemeanor OWI convictions become eligible five years after the conviction date. Level 6 felony OWI convictions require an eight-year wait. Before the waiting period can run, you must have completed all parts of your sentence, including fines, probation, and any required treatment or classes. Unpaid fines or open probation extend the wait.
The expungement petition must be filed in the Elkhart County court that handled the original case. The Elkhart County Prosecutor has the right to object and may request a hearing. A judge reviews the petition and makes the decision. Not every petition is approved, even when all technical requirements are met. If granted, the record is sealed from public access. Law enforcement may still access expunged records under specific conditions allowed by state law.
Free help for expungement includes the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center, Indiana Legal Services, and Indiana Free Legal Answers. Those who don't qualify for free legal aid should consider consulting a private Elkhart County attorney familiar with Indiana expungement law.
BMV Records and Elkhart OWI Convictions
An OWI conviction in Elkhart creates both a court record and a separate BMV record. The BMV tracks license suspensions, reinstatements, and driving history. You can check your driving record for free with the Viewable Driver Record at in.gov/bmv/resources/driver-record/. The free version shows current license status and a general history but is not certified. The Official Driver Record costs $4 and is the certified version used for official purposes.
Expunging a court record does not clear the BMV record. These two systems are maintained separately. For questions about a BMV entry tied to an Elkhart OWI, contact the Indiana BMV directly through their website or visit a branch office in the area.
Legal Help for Elkhart OWI Cases
Indiana Legal Services provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents in Elkhart County. For criminal OWI defense, the Elkhart County Public Defender handles cases for those who meet the financial eligibility requirements. The Indiana Free Legal Answers platform lets you submit questions and get free responses from Indiana-licensed attorneys. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has downloadable forms and step-by-step guides.
For serious felony OWI charges or cases with complex facts, a private Elkhart-area criminal defense attorney is strongly recommended. The Elkhart City website at elkhartindiana.org has city department contacts. The Indiana State Police maintains records of arrests made by troopers on roads in and around Elkhart; those are separate from the court records but related to the same cases.
MyCase.in.gov provides free public access to Elkhart County court records, including OWI and DUI cases filed in Goshen for Elkhart residents.
Elkhart County DUI Records
Elkhart is in Elkhart County. OWI cases go through the Elkhart County Circuit Court and Superior Courts in Goshen. For court contact info, search tools, and more resources, visit the county page.