Fort Wayne DUI Records Search
Fort Wayne DUI and OWI records are public court documents filed through Allen County courts and searchable for free at Indiana's MyCase portal, MyCase.in.gov. As Indiana's second-largest city and the county seat of Allen County, Fort Wayne has a large and active court system that processes thousands of new cases each year, including OWI cases. This page explains how to search Fort Wayne OWI records, where cases are filed, how the law applies, and what options exist for expungement and driver records.
Fort Wayne Quick Facts
Searching Fort Wayne OWI Records
MyCase.in.gov is the primary free tool for finding Fort Wayne DUI and OWI records. This is the statewide court records portal provided by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. Enter a name or case number, then select Allen County from the county filter. The system returns charge details, filing dates, case type, assigned judge, hearing dates, and case status for both open and closed cases. It is available to the public at no cost and without an account.
Allen County also has its own court search tool at allencountycourt.org. This site is specific to Allen County and may offer additional features or a slightly different interface. You can use either or both to search Fort Wayne OWI case records. Both pull from the same official court database.
The Allen County Courthouse is at 715 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. The Allen County Clerk is Christopher M. Nancarrow, and the clerk's office phone is 260-449-7245. The Allen County Clerk website is allencountyclerk.in.gov. The office processes over 60,000 new cases per year and manages more than $107 million in financial transactions annually. For certified copies of OWI case documents, contact the clerk's office. Certified copies carry a per-page fee. The Allen County website is at allencounty.in.gov.
Indiana's courts public records portal links to Allen County court tools where Fort Wayne OWI and DUI case records are maintained and searchable.
Allen County Courts and Fort Wayne OWI Cases
Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County. All OWI cases from Fort Wayne go through the Allen County court system. Allen County has a Circuit Court and multiple Superior Courts. The criminal division of the Superior Courts handles most OWI cases. Misdemeanor OWI charges, which include standard first-offense cases, typically go to a Superior Court. Felony OWI charges, including second offenses within seven years or cases with injury, can land in Circuit Court or a Superior Court with felony criminal jurisdiction. Case assignment depends on the charge level and current court workloads.
The Allen County Clerk's office is one of the largest and most active in the state. It was the first county in Indiana to earn the "Certified Welcoming" designation, and the current Clerk is the first attorney to hold that office in Allen County history. The volume of case filings and financial activity handled by this office reflects the size and activity level of Fort Wayne and Allen County's legal system. If you need to access OWI records, contact the clerk's office to confirm current fees, hours, and procedures before visiting in person.
Note: Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff's Office, and Indiana State Police all handle OWI enforcement in and around the city. All resulting court cases file through Allen County courts.
Fort Wayne DUI Cases and Indiana OWI Law
Indiana law calls this offense OWI — Operating While Intoxicated. The statute is IC 9-30-5. Under this law, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08% or higher, or while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. Offense levels are set by the specific facts. A first OWI at .08% to .14% BAC is a Class C misdemeanor. If BAC reaches .15% or the offense put another person at risk, the charge is a Class A misdemeanor. A second OWI within seven years becomes a Level 6 felony. Cases with serious injury or death are charged at higher felony levels.
Fort Wayne is a large city with significant traffic volume on I-69, US-30, and SR-14. OWI enforcement is active year-round across all parts of the city. The Fort Wayne Police Department and Allen County Sheriff's Office conduct regular OWI patrols, and Indiana State Police troopers work the interstate corridors. All enforcement activity feeds into the Allen County court system. Court records for Fort Wayne OWI cases reflect the full range of charge levels, from misdemeanors to serious felonies.
License action following a Fort Wayne OWI is governed by IC 9-30-6. A test refusal or failed chemical test triggers a BMV suspension separate from court proceedings. Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 may be granted by a court if you need to continue driving during a suspension period, but these require a petition and are not automatic.
Fort Wayne OWI Record Expungement
Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9 allows OWI convictions to be expunged after a waiting period. Misdemeanor OWI convictions are eligible five years from the conviction date. Level 6 felony OWI convictions require an eight-year wait. The full sentence must be completed before the clock runs. That means all fines, fees, probation, and any required programs must be finished. Open probation or unpaid fines extend the wait.
Expungement petitions for Fort Wayne OWI cases go to the Allen County court that handled the original case. The Allen County Prosecutor reviews the petition and can object. A hearing may be held. The judge makes the final decision. Even if all the technical requirements are satisfied, approval is not guaranteed. If granted, the court record is sealed from public view. Law enforcement agencies retain access to expunged records under certain conditions allowed by Indiana law.
Free help is available from the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center for forms, Indiana Legal Services for income-qualifying residents, and Indiana Free Legal Answers for online attorney consultations. Fort Wayne has a strong private legal community, and many local criminal defense attorneys handle OWI expungement cases.
BMV Records and Fort Wayne OWI Cases
An OWI arrest or conviction in Fort Wayne creates records with both the Allen County court system and the Indiana BMV. These are separate and independently maintained. The BMV tracks license status, suspension history, and OWI-related driving record entries. You can check your record for free with the Viewable Driver Record at in.gov/bmv/resources/driver-record/. For a certified version needed by courts or agencies, the Official Driver Record costs $4.
Expunging the court record for a Fort Wayne OWI does not remove the entry from the BMV record. The BMV operates under different rules. To address a BMV record, contact the Indiana BMV directly. BMV branches serve the Fort Wayne area, and their website has options for online inquiries and in-person visits.
Legal Help for Fort Wayne OWI Cases
Fort Wayne has multiple resources for people dealing with OWI charges. Indiana Legal Services has offices serving Allen County and can help qualifying low-income residents with civil legal matters. The Allen County Public Defender's office handles criminal cases for eligible individuals. The Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic serves northeast Indiana residents and may be able to offer guidance or referrals for Fort Wayne OWI cases. Indiana Free Legal Answers provides free online consultations with Indiana-licensed attorneys.
The City of Fort Wayne at fortwayne.in.gov lists city departments and public contacts. For court-specific matters, the Allen County Clerk at allencountyclerk.in.gov is the primary point of contact. The Indiana State Police Fort Wayne post handles OWI enforcement on state highways in and around the city; their arrest records are separate from the court system but tied to the same cases.
Nearby cities with OWI record pages include Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend to the west, and Marion to the south.
MyCase.in.gov is the free public portal for searching Allen County court records, including Fort Wayne OWI and DUI cases filed at the Allen County Courthouse.
Allen County DUI Records
Fort Wayne is in Allen County. OWI cases go through the Allen County Circuit Court and Superior Courts. For court contact info, search tools, and more resources, visit the county page.