Brown County DUI Records
Brown County DUI records are public court documents filed with the Brown County Circuit Court Clerk in Nashville, Indiana. If you are looking for an OWI case filed in Brown County, you can search through Indiana's online court portal or go to the courthouse in person. Brown County is a small rural county in south-central Indiana, and all OWI cases are handled by the circuit court in Nashville. This guide covers how to find Brown County DUI and OWI records, what Indiana law says about these charges, and what resources are available to people dealing with a case in this county.
Brown County Quick Facts
Brown County Circuit Court Clerk
The Brown County Circuit Court Clerk handles all official court records filed in Brown County, including OWI and DUI cases. The clerk's office is located at the Brown County Courthouse, 20 E Main St, Nashville, IN 47448. You can reach the clerk by phone at 812-988-5510. Brown County has a single circuit court that takes on all criminal matters, including operating while intoxicated cases charged under IC 9-30-5.
Every OWI case starts with a filing that creates a public record. The clerk assigns a cause number and records all activity on the case, from the initial charge through final disposition. If the case ends in a plea agreement, that document becomes part of the public record as well. Dismissals and acquittals are also recorded. All of this is accessible to the public unless a court has specifically ordered a record sealed.
The courthouse is the primary location for obtaining records. You can walk in during business hours and ask clerk staff to search by name or cause number. Certified copies have a per-page fee. Plain copies are less expensive. For mail requests, include the name of the person you are searching, any approximate date information, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will search and send whatever is on file.
Searching Brown County DUI Records
The quickest way to find Brown County OWI records online is through Indiana's free court portal at MyCase. This system covers all Indiana counties and is updated regularly as cases move through the court. You can search by name, partial name, or cause number. Results show the filing date, charge description, case type, and court history. Most cases filed in recent years are available. Older records may not be in the system.
The Indiana BMV driver record service is a separate resource for checking driver's license actions tied to an OWI arrest or conviction. The official driver abstract costs $4 and shows suspensions entered under IC 9-30-6. This is not the same as a court record, and you must request it directly from the BMV.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles maintains driver record information separate from court records, including license suspensions related to Brown County OWI cases.
The BMV driver record shows license suspensions and habitual violator status tied to OWI cases, which is separate from the criminal case record held by the circuit court clerk.
The Indiana State Police handles arrest records for stops made by ISP troopers on Brown County roads and state routes. Local arrests by the Brown County Sheriff go through the sheriff's office. Court records, regardless of who made the arrest, are all held by the circuit court clerk in Nashville.
OWI Laws and Charges in Brown County
Indiana does not use the term DUI in its statutes. Impaired driving is charged as OWI, Operating While Intoxicated, under IC 9-30-5. A first OWI with a BAC at or above .08% is a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum of 60 days in jail. If the BAC is .15% or higher, or if the driver endangered someone else, the charge rises to a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a possible year in jail.
Second OWI offenses within seven years of the first become Level 6 felonies. Brown County sees OWI cases across all ranges, from first-time misdemeanor charges through felony repeat offenses. The county's rural road network and state park areas see active law enforcement, and ISP troopers play a significant role in traffic stops in the area.
After an arrest, the BMV may impose an administrative suspension under IC 9-30-6, separately from any court action. This can happen even before trial if the driver failed or refused a chemical test. The court can grant specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10, allowing limited driving for essential purposes during the suspension. Drivers with multiple serious violations may face a 10-year habitual traffic violator designation under IC 9-30-9.
Driving Records and License Actions
Brown County residents can get their official Indiana driver record for $4 through the BMV driver record page. This abstract shows all license actions statewide, including suspensions related to OWI arrests and convictions. Insurance companies and courts frequently check this record when assessing a driver's history.
Reinstating a suspended license after an OWI in Brown County involves completing any court-ordered programs, paying BMV reinstatement fees, and filing SR-22 insurance proof. If the suspension was administrative rather than court-ordered, the BMV handles reinstatement. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms for petitioning the circuit court for specialized driving privileges during an active suspension period.
Expunging OWI Records in Brown County
Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9, the Second Chance Law, allows people to petition the court to restrict public access to certain OWI convictions. For a misdemeanor OWI, the waiting period is five years from the date of conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, it's eight years. Petitions are filed with the Brown County Circuit Court in Nashville. Prosecutors are notified and may file an objection.
A judge rules on whether to grant the petition. Expungement restricts most public access to the record but does not erase it completely. Courts and government agencies still retain access to sealed records. Eligibility rules are strict: OWI cases involving serious injury or death generally cannot be expunged, and prior expungements can bar a new petition. Getting legal advice before filing helps ensure your petition is complete and that you meet the eligibility requirements under IC 35-38-9.
Legal Resources in Brown County
Brown County is a small rural county, and local legal resources are limited. The most useful statewide resource for people without an attorney is the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center, which provides free online court forms and step-by-step guidance for matters like expungement petitions and specialized driving privilege requests. No travel required.
Indiana Legal Services serves this region and provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents. They may be able to assist with issues related to OWI convictions, license matters, or post-conviction relief. Contact them by phone or through their online intake to find out what services are available for Brown County. The Indiana State Bar Association referral service can help you find a licensed criminal defense attorney in or near Nashville. Attorneys from Bloomington and Monroe County also frequently handle cases in Brown County due to proximity.
The Indiana Courts public records portal provides information on the rules for accessing court records statewide and how to make formal requests when online access is not enough.
Cities in Brown County
Brown County has no cities with a population above 25,000. The county seat, Nashville, is the largest community and the location of the courthouse. All OWI and DUI cases in Brown County are filed with the Brown County Circuit Court in Nashville.
Nearby Counties
Brown County borders several other south-central Indiana counties. Each has its own circuit or superior court that maintains OWI records for cases filed within that county.