Crawford County DUI Records
Crawford County DUI records are public court documents filed with the Crawford County Circuit Court Clerk in English, Indiana. If you need to search for an OWI case in Crawford County, verify charges, or find out how a case was resolved, you can use Indiana's statewide online court portal or contact the clerk's office in English directly. Crawford County is one of Indiana's smallest and most rural counties, located in the southern part of the state, and all criminal cases including OWI are handled by the county circuit court. This guide covers how to access Crawford County OWI records, what state law governs these charges, and where to find legal help.
Crawford County Quick Facts
Crawford County Circuit Court Clerk
The Crawford County Circuit Court Clerk is the official keeper of all court records filed in Crawford County, including OWI and DUI cases. The clerk's office is located at the Crawford County Courthouse, 715 Judicial Plaza, English, IN 47118. The phone number is 812-338-2565. Crawford County has a circuit court that handles all criminal matters filed in the county, including operating while intoxicated cases charged under IC 9-30-5.
Once an OWI case is filed, the clerk creates a public record. That record includes every aspect of the case from the initial charge and bail conditions through each hearing, any plea agreement, and the final disposition. Convictions, acquittals, and dismissals are all recorded and kept permanently unless a court later orders a record sealed. The public can access these records at the courthouse during business hours.
In-person visits to the Crawford County Courthouse in English are accepted during regular business hours. Staff can search by name or cause number. Certified copies cost a per-page fee. Plain copies are less expensive. For mail requests, include the defendant's name, any approximate date you have, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Crawford County is small, and the clerk's office serves a limited volume of cases compared to larger Indiana counties, which can sometimes mean faster turnaround on record requests.
How to Search Crawford County DUI Records
Indiana's free court portal at MyCase is the easiest way to search Crawford County OWI records online. You can search by name or cause number. Results show the case type, filing date, charges, and court history. Most cases from the past 15 or more years are available through the portal. For older records, you'll need to contact the clerk's office in English directly.
The Indiana trial courts directory lists Crawford County Circuit Court with contact and jurisdiction details. This is useful for confirming you are reaching the right office. The directory is maintained by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration and is updated regularly.
The Indiana trial courts directory identifies Crawford County Circuit Court in English as the court of record for OWI cases in the county.
This directory provides the contact details and jurisdiction information needed to confirm which court handles OWI filings in Crawford County and to make direct records requests.
Driver records for Crawford County OWI arrests are separate from court records. The Indiana BMV provides official driver abstracts for $4. These show license suspensions under IC 9-30-6 and habitual violator status under IC 9-30-9. The Indiana State Police maintains arrest records for ISP-initiated stops, which are a significant portion of OWI enforcement in rural Crawford County.
OWI Laws and Charges in Crawford County
Indiana uses the term OWI rather than DUI. The governing statute is IC 9-30-5. A first offense at .08% BAC is a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a maximum of 60 days in jail. If the BAC is .15% or higher, or if the driver endangered another person, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor with up to a year in jail. These rules apply in Crawford County the same as everywhere else in Indiana.
A second OWI within seven years of the first conviction is a Level 6 felony. Crawford County is one of Indiana's least populous counties, but it still sees OWI cases on a regular basis. State Route 37 and other roads through the county see consistent enforcement, and ISP troopers handle a large share of traffic enforcement given the county's limited municipal law enforcement resources.
Any OWI that causes serious bodily injury is a Level 5 felony. An OWI causing death can be a Level 4 felony. After an OWI arrest, the BMV may administratively suspend the driver's license under IC 9-30-6 before any court proceedings. Drivers can petition Crawford County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10. The habitual traffic violator statute at IC 9-30-9 can result in a 10-year suspension for repeat serious offenders.
Driving Records and License Actions
An official Indiana driver record from the BMV costs $4. The abstract shows all license actions statewide, including suspensions tied to Crawford County OWI arrests and convictions. If your license was suspended, reinstatement requires completing any required substance abuse program, paying BMV fees, and filing SR-22 insurance proof.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides free forms for petitioning the circuit court for specialized driving privileges. This allows limited driving during an active suspension for work, medical care, or school. Crawford County Circuit Court in English handles these petitions for cases filed within the county. The forms and instructions are available online at no cost through the Self-Service Legal Center.
Expunging OWI Records in Crawford 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. Misdemeanor OWI has a five-year waiting period from the date of conviction. Level 6 felony OWI requires an eight-year wait. Petitions are filed with Crawford County Circuit Court. Prosecutors receive notice and may object. A judge decides whether to grant the petition.
Expungement limits public access but does not fully erase the record. Courts and government agencies retain access to sealed records. Eligibility is limited by the statute. OWI convictions involving serious injury or death cannot be expunged. Prior expungements may bar a new petition. Crawford County is a small county, and the circuit court handles a limited volume of expungement cases. Getting the petition right before filing is important, and an attorney with expungement experience can help you evaluate eligibility and prepare a complete petition.
Legal Resources in Crawford County
Crawford County is one of Indiana's most rural and least populated counties. Local legal resources are very limited. The best statewide option for self-represented people is the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center, which is free and entirely online. It covers expungement petitions, specialized driving privilege requests, and other court matters. You can use it from anywhere without going to the courthouse.
Indiana Legal Services serves southern Indiana. They provide free civil legal help to low-income residents, including some post-conviction and license-related matters. Contact them by phone or online to find out what services are available for Crawford County. They sometimes handle matters by phone or videoconference for clients in remote areas.
The Indiana State Bar Association referral service can connect you with licensed criminal defense attorneys who practice in or near Crawford County. Given the county's remoteness, attorneys from nearby cities like Paoli, Jasper, and Leavenworth sometimes handle cases in Crawford County. The Indiana Courts public records portal provides guidance on accessing court records statewide, including Crawford County's circuit court.
Cities in Crawford County
Crawford County has no cities with a population above 25,000. English is the county seat and the location of the courthouse. All OWI and DUI cases in Crawford County are handled by the Crawford County Circuit Court in English, regardless of where in the county the arrest occurred.
Nearby Counties
Crawford County borders several other southern Indiana counties. Each maintains its own court records for OWI cases filed within its jurisdiction.