Goshen OWI Records
Goshen is the county seat of Elkhart County, and all DUI and OWI records for the city are filed and maintained through the Elkhart County Circuit and Superior Courts. Whether you need to search an existing case, request copies of court documents, or check a driver's license history tied to an OWI charge, this page explains where to look and how the process works in Goshen and the surrounding Elkhart County area.
Goshen Quick Facts
Searching Goshen DUI Records Online
Indiana's public court search tool is MyCase.in.gov. It covers all Elkhart County OWI cases, including those filed in Goshen. You can search by a person's name or by case number. Results show the case status, charges, hearing dates, and any court orders. The system is free to use and works on any device.
When searching for DUI or OWI records in Goshen, use both "OWI" and "DUI" as search terms. Indiana law uses the term OWI, but older records and media reports may use DUI. Most active and recent cases will appear in MyCase within a few business days of filing. Sealed or expunged records will not show in the public portal.
The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records has guides on how to use MyCase and what to do if you need certified copies. It also lists what records are restricted by law.
The screenshot below shows the Indiana Courts public records portal where Goshen OWI case searches begin.
The portal is a good starting point for any Goshen OWI case search.
Elkhart County Courts and Goshen OWI Cases
Because Goshen is the county seat of Elkhart County, the courthouse is located right in the city. The Elkhart County Courthouse sits at 101 N Main St, Goshen, IN 46526. The Elkhart County Clerk's office can be reached at 574-523-2385. The clerk handles filing, copies of records, and any in-person record requests.
OWI cases in Goshen go through either the Elkhart County Circuit Court or one of the Superior Courts, depending on how the case is assigned. Both courts handle criminal matters, and OWI charges fall under that category. The clerk's office can tell you which court is handling a specific case if the online search does not make it clear.
If you need physical copies of Goshen DUI records, the clerk's office can provide them. Most requests require a written request and payment of copy fees. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting in person. Hours for the clerk's office follow standard county business hours, generally Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm current hours before making a trip.
Note: Elkhart County is one of the larger counties in Indiana, so the courthouse sees a steady volume of OWI cases each year.
Indiana OWI Laws That Apply in Goshen
Indiana does not use the term DUI in its statutes. The correct legal term is OWI, or Operating While Intoxicated. The main law is found at Indiana Code 9-30-5. It covers all forms of impaired driving, including alcohol and drugs.
Here is a quick overview of OWI offense levels under Indiana law:
- Class C misdemeanor: First OWI with BAC of .08% to .14%
- Class A misdemeanor: BAC of .15% or higher, or first OWI with a passenger under 18
- Level 6 felony: Second OWI within 7 years of a prior conviction
- Level 5 felony: OWI causing serious bodily injury
- Level 4 felony: OWI causing death
Each level carries different penalties, fines, and license suspension periods. The court record for a Goshen OWI case will show which charge was filed and what the outcome was. Misdemeanor OWI cases are public record. Felony OWI cases are public record as well, unless expunged under IC 35-38-9.
BMV Records for Goshen OWI Convictions
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles keeps driver records that include OWI convictions. These records are separate from court case files. If someone wants to check their own driving history or verify an OWI conviction appears correctly, they can get a driver record from the BMV.
Indiana offers two types of driver records. The Viewable Driver Record is free and available online at in.gov/bmv/resources/driver-record. The Official Driver Record (ODR) costs $4 and is the certified version used for legal and insurance purposes. The ODR shows more complete history including any OWI convictions recorded against a Goshen or Elkhart County resident's license.
OWI convictions from Goshen cases will appear on the driver record once the court sends the conviction information to the BMV. There is sometimes a short lag between the court's judgment and when the BMV updates its database. If a record does not appear right away, check again after a few weeks.
Goshen DUI Record Expungement
Indiana law allows some OWI convictions to be expunged. The relevant statute is IC 35-38-9. For a misdemeanor OWI, the waiting period is 5 years from the date of conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, the waiting period is 8 years.
Expungement is not automatic. A person must file a petition with the Elkhart County court that handled the original case. The court reviews the petition, checks that all fines and fees are paid, and confirms the waiting period has passed. If granted, the record is sealed from public view, including from the MyCase portal.
Not all OWI convictions qualify. Cases involving serious injury or death generally cannot be expunged. An attorney can advise whether a specific Goshen OWI conviction is eligible.
Legal Help for Goshen OWI Cases
Several free and low-cost legal resources serve Elkhart County and the Goshen area. Indiana Legal Services provides civil legal aid to qualifying residents and can be reached at indianalegalservices.org. Indiana Free Legal Answers at IN.freelegalanswers.org lets residents post legal questions online and get answers from volunteer attorneys.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice has forms and guides for people who want to handle their own legal matters. This is useful for expungement petitions and record requests. The site is free to use.
Note: Free legal aid programs often focus on civil matters and may not cover criminal defense, but they can help with expungement and record issues.
Elkhart County DUI Records
Goshen is in Elkhart County. All OWI cases go through the Elkhart County Circuit Court. For court contact info, search tools, and more resources, visit the county page.