Kokomo OWI Records
Kokomo is the county seat of Howard County in north-central Indiana, and all DUI and OWI records for the city are maintained through the Howard County Circuit and Superior Courts. This page explains where to search Kokomo OWI cases online, how to request court documents from the Howard County Clerk, and what legal resources are available to Kokomo residents dealing with OWI matters.
Kokomo Quick Facts
Kokomo DUI Records Search
The fastest way to search Kokomo DUI and OWI records is through Indiana's free public court portal at MyCase.in.gov. The system covers all Howard County courts. You can search by name or by case number. Results include the charges filed, hearing dates, court orders, and the final case outcome. Most cases appear in the system within a few days of being filed.
Indiana law uses the term OWI rather than DUI, so try both terms when searching. Older records and news reports often use DUI, while court filings use OWI. If a search returns no results, check for alternate name spellings or contact the Howard County Clerk directly to verify whether a case exists. Expunged and sealed records do not appear in the public MyCase portal.
For additional help using MyCase or understanding what public records are available, visit the Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records. The site explains what records are open to the public and what is restricted by law.
MyCase is the primary tool for any Kokomo OWI case search.
Howard County Court and Kokomo OWI Cases
Kokomo is the county seat of Howard County, so the courthouse is located right in the city. The Howard County Courthouse is at 100 N Main St, Kokomo, IN 46901. The Howard County Clerk's office handles all criminal case records, including OWI filings from Kokomo and the surrounding area. The clerk can be reached at 765-456-2200. The Howard County website at howardcountyin.gov lists current court contact information and department hours.
OWI cases in Kokomo are assigned to the Howard County Circuit Court or one of the Superior Courts. The specific court depends on how cases are assigned and the severity of the charge. Felony OWI cases typically go to a Superior Court criminal division. Misdemeanor OWI may be handled by either the Circuit Court or a Superior Court depending on local procedures. The MyCase portal shows which court is handling each specific case.
In-person record requests at the Howard County Courthouse require a valid photo ID. Copy fees apply for certified and uncertified court documents. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call ahead before visiting to confirm current hours and procedures for record requests.
Note: Kokomo is a north-central Indiana manufacturing hub, and the county sees a consistent volume of OWI cases from both local residents and workers commuting through the area.
Indiana OWI Law and Kokomo Residents
Indiana's OWI statute is at IC 9-30-5. The law covers impaired driving by alcohol, a controlled substance, or any other intoxicant. The charge level in Kokomo depends on the BAC reading and the person's prior OWI history.
A first OWI with BAC between .08% and .14% is a Class C misdemeanor. A BAC of .15% or higher on a first offense steps up to a Class A misdemeanor. A second OWI within 7 years of a prior conviction is a Level 6 felony in Indiana. If the OWI caused serious bodily injury to another person, it becomes a Level 5 felony. OWI causing death is a Level 4 or Level 3 felony depending on the specific facts. All of these charges result in public court records that are searchable through MyCase.
The Indiana State Police patrols US-31 and other major routes near Kokomo. ISP-initiated OWI arrests in Howard County follow the same court process as arrests made by the Kokomo Police Department. The arresting agency will be noted in the case file.
Kokomo OWI Record Expungement
Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9 applies to eligible OWI convictions in Kokomo. The waiting period for a misdemeanor OWI conviction is 5 years from the date of conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, the waiting period is 8 years. All court fines and fees must be paid in full before filing a petition.
Expungement petitions in Kokomo are filed with the Howard County court that handled the original case. The court reviews the petition and may hold a hearing. If approved, the Kokomo OWI record is sealed from the public MyCase portal. Law enforcement agencies and certain state licensing boards can still access sealed records. An expungement does not automatically restore driving privileges suspended due to an OWI conviction. Separate steps with the Indiana BMV are needed for any license reinstatement process.
Free expungement forms and step-by-step guides are available at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice.
BMV Driver Records for Kokomo OWI Convictions
OWI convictions from Kokomo cases are reported to the Indiana BMV and appear on the driver record. Two types of driver records are available. The free Viewable Driver Record is at in.gov/bmv/resources/driver-record. The Official Driver Record costs $4 and is the certified version needed for courts, attorneys, and licensing boards.
Kokomo residents who want to review their own OWI history can start with the free viewable record. Those who need to provide a certified record to a court or agency should order the Official Driver Record. There is often a short lag between a court conviction and when the BMV updates its database, so if an OWI conviction does not appear right away, check again after a few weeks.
Legal Help for Kokomo OWI Cases
Howard County and Kokomo residents have access to free and low-cost legal resources. Indiana Legal Services at indianalegalservices.org provides civil legal aid to income-qualifying residents. Indiana Free Legal Answers at IN.freelegalanswers.org connects residents with volunteer lawyers who answer legal questions online at no cost. Both resources can help with questions about OWI records, expungement eligibility, and court procedures in Howard County.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice has free forms and guides for expungement and other court matters. This is a practical option for Kokomo residents who want to handle their own record matters without paying an attorney. The Indiana State Police at in.gov/isp maintains criminal records and can provide information about any arrest report associated with a Kokomo OWI case.
Howard County DUI Records
Kokomo is in Howard County. All OWI cases go through the Howard County Circuit Court. For court contact info, search tools, and more resources, visit the county page.