Decatur County DUI Records Search
Decatur County DUI records are public court documents maintained by the Decatur County Circuit Court Clerk in Greensburg, Indiana. When an OWI case is filed in this southeastern Indiana county, it becomes part of the public court record and can be searched by anyone. Whether you're looking for case details, charge information, or a final disposition, the state's online portal and the clerk's office in Greensburg are the two main paths. This page explains how to find Decatur County DUI and OWI records, what the law says, and what resources are available locally.
Decatur County Quick Facts
Decatur County Circuit Court Clerk
All OWI and DUI case records in Decatur County are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk at the Decatur County Courthouse, 150 W Main St, Greensburg, IN 47240. The clerk's office phone is 812-663-8223. Staff can search records by defendant name or cause number and can provide copies of filings, orders, and dispositions.
Under IC 9-30-5, OWI charges in Indiana are filed in the county where the arrest took place. For Decatur County arrests, that means the Greensburg courthouse. The case record is assigned a cause number and becomes part of the public file once the initial filing is complete. Certified copies of documents cost more than plain copies, so specify what you need when you ask. The office is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours; call first to confirm.
How to Look Up Decatur County OWI Records
Indiana's MyCase portal lets you search Decatur County court records for free from any device. You can look up cases by name or cause number. The results show the case type, charges, filing date, hearing schedule, and outcome. Most OWI cases from roughly 2005 onward are in the system. Older cases may only exist on paper at the courthouse.
The Indiana courts local directory lists all trial courts in the state, including Decatur County's circuit court. If you need the judge's name, the exact address, or other court details, that page is a good resource. It also lists court contact information for when you need to follow up by phone or in writing.
For general guidance on Indiana court records access, the Indiana Courts public records page covers what's open to the public, what fees may apply, and what types of records are restricted or sealed.
OWI Laws That Apply in Decatur County
Indiana calls drunk driving OWI, not DUI. The main statute is IC 9-30-5. A person commits OWI by operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more, or while impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance. The baseline charge is a Class C misdemeanor.
When the BAC reaches .15% or higher, or when someone else was put at risk, the charge upgrades to a Class A misdemeanor. That's a more serious offense with a higher potential jail sentence. A second OWI within seven years of a prior conviction becomes a Level 6 felony. Felony OWI cases are handled in the Decatur County court just like misdemeanors, but the stakes and consequences are different. Habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9 can come into play for those with multiple OWI convictions.
License Actions and the BMV
An OWI arrest doesn't just trigger a criminal case. Under IC 9-30-6, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles can take administrative action against a driver's license separate from the court process. This administrative suspension can happen within days of an arrest. It's not the same as a court-ordered suspension, and it has its own process for contesting or reversing.
Drivers can check their license status and get an official driver record through the Indiana BMV driver record portal. The BMV record shows current license status, any active suspensions, and driving history. For someone dealing with an OWI case in Decatur County, knowing both the court status and the license status is important.
Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 allow some drivers to drive for specific purposes during a license suspension. A court must approve the arrangement, and conditions apply. This can be an option worth exploring for people who need to drive for work or medical reasons.
Expungement of Decatur County DUI Records
Indiana's expungement law, IC 35-38-9, allows certain OWI convictions to be cleared from public records after a waiting period. Misdemeanor OWI convictions require five years from the conviction date. Level 6 felony OWI convictions require eight years. During that period, all fines and costs must be paid, and there can be no new criminal charges.
Once an expungement is granted, the record won't appear in standard public searches. However, expungement is not a full erasure. Certain agencies retain access under specific legal conditions. Anyone considering an expungement petition in Decatur County should look at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center for forms and instructions, or consult with a licensed Indiana attorney.
Legal Help and Resources
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents. They handle a range of issues including expungement and record questions. The Indiana State Bar Association has a referral service that can connect you with a lawyer in the Greensburg area.
For DUI arrest records maintained by law enforcement rather than courts, contact the Indiana State Police. ISP patrols roads throughout Decatur County and handles arrests for OWI on state routes. An arrest record from ISP shows who was taken into custody but doesn't show court outcomes. For case outcomes, use MyCase or the clerk's office.
Indiana Trial Courts Directory
The link below leads to Indiana's official directory of trial courts, which includes Decatur County's circuit court and contact details.
Indiana trial courts directory for Decatur County DUI records
This directory is useful if you need to confirm the judge, address, or phone number for the specific court handling OWI cases in Decatur County.
Cities in Decatur County
Greensburg is the county seat of Decatur County. No cities in Decatur County have a population large enough to qualify for individual city pages. OWI and DUI cases for Greensburg residents and others in the county are handled through the Decatur County circuit court in Greensburg.
Nearby Counties
Decatur County is bordered by several other southeastern Indiana counties. Use these links to find DUI records in neighboring jurisdictions.