Find Clay County DUI Records
Clay County DUI records are public documents maintained by the Clay County Circuit Court Clerk in Brazil, Indiana. OWI cases filed in Clay County are accessible through Indiana's statewide online court portal and at the courthouse in Brazil. If you need to search for an OWI case, check charges, or see how a case was resolved, this guide covers all your options, from the MyCase online portal to direct requests with the clerk's office. It also explains what Indiana's OWI laws say, how license suspensions work, and where to find legal help in this western Indiana county.
Clay County Quick Facts
Clay County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clay County Circuit Court Clerk is the official keeper of all court records filed in Clay County, including OWI and DUI case files. The clerk's office is at the Clay County Courthouse, 609 E National Ave, Brazil, IN 47834. You can reach the office by phone at 812-448-9025. Clay County uses a circuit court system, and the circuit court in Brazil handles all criminal cases, including operating while intoxicated charges brought under IC 9-30-5.
Once an OWI case is filed in Clay County, the clerk creates a public record. That record includes all charges, bail conditions, scheduled hearings, any motions filed by either side, plea agreements if any were entered, and the final disposition. The record remains public and accessible unless a judge has ordered it sealed. The clerk can search case records by name or cause number at the courthouse during normal business hours.
Walk-in requests are available at the courthouse in Brazil. Certified copies of records carry a per-page fee. Plain copies cost less. If you need records by mail, write to the clerk with the name of the person you are looking for and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Staff will search and send available records back to you.
Searching Clay County DUI Records Online
Indiana's MyCase portal is free and covers Clay County. You can search by name or cause number. The system shows case type, filing date, charge description, and hearing history. Most cases from roughly the past 15 or more years are in the system. Cases from before that period may only exist in paper at the courthouse.
The MyCase court search system serves as Indiana's central public case database, covering Clay County OWI filings alongside all other Indiana counties.
The MyCase system lets you search Clay County OWI records by name or case number and is updated as cases move through the circuit court in Brazil.
Driver records are maintained separately by the Indiana BMV. An official driver abstract costs $4 and shows license suspensions under IC 9-30-6 and habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9. These must be requested from the BMV directly and are not part of the court case record. The Indiana State Police holds arrest records for stops made by ISP troopers on Clay County roads.
OWI Laws and Charges in Clay County
Indiana charges impaired driving as OWI, not DUI. The governing statute is IC 9-30-5. A first offense at .08% BAC is a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum of 60 days in jail. If the BAC reaches .15% or higher, or if the driver endangered another person, the charge rises to a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in jail. These thresholds apply in every Indiana county, including Clay.
A second OWI within seven years of the first conviction is a Level 6 felony under Indiana law. Clay County is a rural county in western Indiana, and the circuit court in Brazil handles the full range of OWI cases from misdemeanor first offenses through felony repeat charges. Prosecutors apply state charging guidelines, and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case, the defendant's prior record, and any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
Administrative license suspension under IC 9-30-6 can happen at the time of arrest, before any criminal conviction, if the driver failed or refused a chemical test. A driver can petition Clay County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10. The habitual traffic violator statute at IC 9-30-9 adds a 10-year suspension for drivers with multiple serious violations on their record.
Driving Records and License Actions
An official Indiana driver record from the BMV costs $4. It shows all license actions statewide, including suspensions linked to Clay County OWI arrests and convictions. The record covers both administrative and court-ordered suspensions. License reinstatement after an OWI requires completing any program ordered by the court, paying BMV reinstatement fees, and filing SR-22 insurance proof.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms for petitioning the court for specialized driving privileges during a suspension. If you need to drive for work, school, or medical care while your license is under suspension following a Clay County OWI, the petition process runs through the circuit court. Forms are available free online through the Self-Service Legal Center.
Expunging OWI Records in Clay County
Indiana's Second Chance Law at IC 35-38-9 allows people to petition the court to restrict public access to qualifying OWI convictions. The waiting period is five years from conviction for a misdemeanor OWI and eight years for a Level 6 felony OWI. Petitions are filed in Clay County Circuit Court. Prosecutors receive notice and may object. A judge decides whether to grant the petition.
If granted, most public access to the record is restricted, but courts and government agencies retain access. Eligibility is limited. OWI convictions involving serious injury or death generally cannot be expunged. Prior expungements can bar a new petition. Getting legal advice before filing helps ensure you meet the requirements under IC 35-38-9 and that your petition is complete.
Legal Resources in Clay County
Legal resources in Clay County are limited given its rural character. The best statewide resource for people without an attorney is the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center. It's free and available online. It has forms and instructions for expungement petitions, specialized driving privilege requests, and other common court matters. You can access it from anywhere without traveling to the courthouse.
Indiana Legal Services serves western Indiana and provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. They may be able to assist with certain issues related to OWI convictions, including license-related and post-conviction matters. Call or use their online intake to find out what services cover Clay County. For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association referral service can help you find an OWI defense attorney. Attorneys from Terre Haute and Vigo County frequently handle cases in neighboring counties including Clay.
The Indiana Courts public records portal explains how to access court records statewide and what rights you have as a member of the public when requesting documents.
Cities in Clay County
Clay County has no cities with a population above 25,000. Brazil is the county seat and largest city. All OWI and DUI cases in Clay County are filed with and maintained by the Clay County Circuit Court in Brazil.
Nearby Counties
Clay County borders several other Indiana counties in the western part of the state. Each maintains its own court records for OWI cases filed within its borders.