Clinton County DUI Records Search
Clinton County DUI records are public court documents filed with the Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk in Frankfort, Indiana. If you need to find an OWI case in Clinton County, review charges, or check how a case ended, you can search through Indiana's free online court system or contact the clerk's office directly in Frankfort. This guide covers the methods for accessing Clinton County OWI and DUI case records, explains Indiana's OWI laws, outlines how license suspensions work, and identifies legal resources available to people dealing with an OWI charge in this central Indiana county.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk is the official custodian of all court records filed in Clinton County, including OWI and DUI cases. The office is at the Clinton County Courthouse, 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041. The phone number is 765-659-6335. Clinton County uses a circuit court system, and the circuit court in Frankfort handles all criminal cases filed in the county, including those charged under IC 9-30-5.
The clerk creates a public case record for every OWI filed in Clinton County. That record includes the charges, bail conditions, all hearing dates, any motions, plea agreements if entered, and the final disposition. Records are public and accessible at the courthouse during normal business hours. The clerk can search by name or cause number. Certified copies carry a per-page fee, and plain copies cost less.
For mail requests, send the defendant's name, any date information you have, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk's office at the Courthouse Square address in Frankfort. The clerk's staff will search and send available records. Response times vary based on office volume.
How to Search Clinton County DUI Records
The primary online tool is MyCase, Indiana's free statewide court portal. It covers Clinton County and lets you search by name or cause number. You'll see the case type, filing date, charge, and court history. Cases from roughly the past 15 or more years are available online. Paper-only records from before that time must be requested at the Frankfort courthouse.
For driver records tied to a Clinton County OWI, use the Indiana BMV driver record service. An official driver abstract costs $4 and shows license suspensions under IC 9-30-6 and any habitual violator status under IC 9-30-9. The Indiana State Police handles arrest records for ISP-initiated stops in Clinton County, which are separate from court records held by the clerk.
The Indiana Courts public records portal outlines how the statewide court record system works and how to access records in Clinton County and elsewhere in Indiana.
This portal provides information on what court records are public, what fees apply, and how to make formal requests for records that are not available through the MyCase online system.
The Indiana Courts trial courts directory lists contact information and jurisdiction details for Clinton County Circuit Court, which is useful if you need to confirm you're contacting the right office before making a records request.
OWI Laws and Charges in Clinton County
Indiana law uses OWI, not DUI. The statute is IC 9-30-5. A first OWI at .08% BAC or above is a Class C misdemeanor, carrying a maximum of 60 days in jail. A BAC of .15% or higher, or any OWI that places another person in danger, is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail. These rules apply uniformly across Indiana.
A second OWI within seven years of the first conviction becomes a Level 6 felony. Clinton County is a central Indiana county situated between Lafayette to the west and Indianapolis to the south. State Route 28 and other roads see active law enforcement, and ISP troopers handle a portion of OWI enforcement in the county. The circuit court in Frankfort processes the full range of OWI cases from first-time misdemeanors to felony repeat offenses.
Administrative license suspension under IC 9-30-6 can begin at the time of arrest. Drivers can petition Clinton County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 during the suspension period. The habitual traffic violator designation under IC 9-30-9 adds a 10-year suspension for drivers with multiple serious violations. All of these processes are governed by state law and apply the same way in Clinton County as elsewhere in Indiana.
Driving Records and License Actions
Clinton County residents can order an official Indiana driver record for $4 through the BMV driver record page. The abstract shows all license actions statewide, including suspensions tied to Clinton County OWI arrests and convictions. Courts and prosecutors use this record to check a driver's prior history when evaluating charges and sentencing.
Reinstating a license after an OWI in Clinton County requires meeting BMV requirements. These usually include paying fees, completing a substance abuse assessment and any required program, and filing SR-22 insurance proof. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has petition forms for specialized driving privileges that allow limited driving during an active suspension for work, school, or medical reasons. Forms are free and available online through the Self-Service Legal Center.
Expunging OWI Records in Clinton County
Indiana's Second Chance Law at IC 35-38-9 lets people petition the court to restrict public access to qualifying OWI convictions. For a misdemeanor OWI, the waiting period is five years from conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, it's eight years. Petitions are filed with the Clinton County Circuit Court in Frankfort. Prosecutors are notified and may object. A judge rules on whether to grant the petition.
If expungement is granted, most public access to the record is restricted. Courts and government agencies retain access. Eligibility is limited. OWI cases involving serious bodily injury or death generally cannot be expunged, and prior expungements can prevent a new petition. Getting legal help before filing is the best way to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and that your petition is complete and correctly formatted for Clinton County Circuit Court.
Legal Resources in Clinton County
Clinton County is a moderately sized rural county. Legal resources are somewhat limited locally, but statewide resources are accessible. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is free, available online, and covers common matters including expungement and driving privilege petitions. It's the best starting point for people who need to handle their own court paperwork.
Indiana Legal Services serves the central Indiana region. They may be able to help low-income Clinton County residents with civil legal matters connected to OWI cases, such as license issues or post-conviction questions. Use their online intake to find out what is available. The Indiana State Bar Association referral service can connect you with attorneys who handle OWI defense near Frankfort. Given the county's location, attorneys from both Lafayette and Indianapolis areas often handle cases in Clinton County.
Cities in Clinton County
Clinton County has no cities with a population above 25,000. Frankfort is the county seat and the largest community. All OWI and DUI cases from across Clinton County are filed with and handled by the Clinton County Circuit Court in Frankfort.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County is surrounded by several other central Indiana counties, each with its own court system handling OWI cases within its jurisdiction.