Find DUI Records in Dearborn County
Dearborn County DUI records are filed with the Dearborn County Circuit and Superior Court Clerk in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This southeastern Indiana county sits on the Ohio border, and its courts handle all OWI cases filed in the county. If you need to search for a specific case or look up whether someone has a DUI or OWI on record in Dearborn County, you can do that online through Indiana's MyCase system or in person at the Lawrenceburg courthouse. This guide explains your options, what you can expect to find, and how Indiana law treats OWI charges.
Dearborn County Quick Facts
Dearborn County Circuit Court Clerk
The Dearborn County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all court records for the county, including OWI and DUI filings. The office is at the Dearborn County Courthouse, 215 W High St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. The main phone number is 812-537-1040. Staff can search by name or cause number and help you request copies of specific documents.
All OWI cases in Dearborn County are filed under IC 9-30-5, Indiana's primary operating while intoxicated statute. Once a case is filed, the court record becomes public. The clerk's office maintains both the physical case files and electronic records. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee. Plain copies cost less. If you only need to verify whether a case exists, checking MyCase online first can save you a trip.
The courthouse serves Lawrenceburg and all communities in Dearborn County. Business hours are generally Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours if you plan to visit in person.
Searching Dearborn County DUI Records Online
The MyCase public portal is the go-to tool for searching Dearborn County DUI records from anywhere. It's run by the Indiana courts system, it's free to use, and you don't need an account. Enter a name or cause number, and you'll get a list of matching cases along with basic details like the charges filed, court dates, and the final disposition. For most people, this is all they need.
OWI cases in Dearborn County that were filed after roughly 2005 are generally available through MyCase. Cases before that date may only exist in paper format at the courthouse. The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records gives additional detail on what's accessible and how to request records for older cases.
Indiana OWI Charges and Penalties
Indiana uses OWI, not DUI, in its statutes. The core law is IC 9-30-5. Operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or above triggers OWI charges. At .15% or higher, or if the driver endangered someone else, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor instead of the standard Class C misdemeanor. The distinction matters because Class A carries a higher maximum jail term and fines.
For a second OWI conviction within seven years of the first, the charge becomes a Level 6 felony. That means possible prison time in an Indiana Department of Correction facility, not just local jail. A felony also brings collateral consequences that can affect multiple areas of life for years after the sentence ends.
Repeat offenders may face habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9. This can lead to extended license suspension or revocation. Dearborn County courts follow these same state-level guidelines in every OWI case.
License Suspension After an OWI Arrest
An OWI arrest in Dearborn County can result in two separate proceedings: the criminal case in court and an administrative license action handled by the Indiana BMV. Under IC 9-30-6, the BMV can suspend a license shortly after an arrest, even before a trial takes place. This administrative suspension is independent of whatever happens in criminal court.
Drivers who want to challenge an administrative suspension have a short window to do so. If you need to check a driver's license status or get an official driver record, the Indiana BMV driver record portal is the right place. The BMV record reflects license status, any suspensions, and associated points. It's different from the criminal court record and serves a different purpose.
Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 may be available during a suspension. A court order is required. These privileges usually allow driving for specific purposes like work or medical care, and they come with conditions the driver must follow.
Expungement Options in Dearborn County
Under IC 35-38-9, Indiana allows certain OWI convictions to be expunged after a waiting period. For a misdemeanor OWI, the standard wait is five years from the conviction date. A Level 6 felony OWI requires eight years before a petition can be filed. All court costs and fines must be paid, and the person must not have new criminal charges during the waiting period.
An expunged record won't show up in standard public searches like MyCase. That said, expungement is not a complete wipe. Certain government agencies and courts can still access expunged records in specific situations. Anyone looking into expungement should get advice from a lawyer or use the resources at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center.
Legal Resources for Dearborn County
Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to low-income residents, including guidance on expungement and court record questions. The Indiana State Bar Association has a referral service that can connect you with a licensed attorney in or near Dearborn County. For those going it alone, the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides forms and plain-language guides for many court processes.
The Indiana State Police handles arrest records for OWI cases on state roads in Dearborn County. An ISP arrest record is not the same as a court record. The arrest record shows that someone was charged; the court record shows what happened next. For a complete picture, you often need both.
MyCase Court Search Portal
The screenshot below shows Indiana's court case database, which covers Dearborn County OWI filings along with cases from all other Indiana counties.
Indiana MyCase court case database for Dearborn County DUI records
Use this portal to look up cases by name or cause number without visiting the Lawrenceburg courthouse in person.
Cities in Dearborn County
Lawrenceburg is the county seat and largest city in Dearborn County. No cities in Dearborn County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All OWI and DUI cases for residents of Lawrenceburg, Aurora, Greendale, and other Dearborn County communities are handled through the county circuit and superior courts.
Nearby Counties
If you need to find OWI or DUI records in a county that borders Dearborn, the pages below cover those jurisdictions.