Access Elkhart County DUI Records
Elkhart County DUI records are public court documents maintained by the Elkhart County Circuit Court Clerk in Goshen, Indiana. This northern Indiana county includes the cities of Elkhart and Goshen, and its courts handle OWI filings from across the county. If you need to find a specific DUI or OWI case in Elkhart County, the state's MyCase portal and the clerk's office in Goshen are the two main access points. This guide covers how to search those records, what Indiana law says about OWI charges, and what resources exist locally.
Elkhart County Quick Facts
Elkhart County Circuit Court Clerk
The Elkhart County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all court records in the county, including OWI and DUI case filings. The clerk's office is at the Elkhart County Courthouse, 101 N Main St, Goshen, IN 46526. You can reach the clerk by phone at 574-523-2385. Staff can search by name or cause number and provide copies of documents on request. The county website at elkhartcountyindiana.gov also has contact information and service listings.
When an OWI arrest occurs in Elkhart County, the charge is filed under IC 9-30-5 in the court serving the area where the offense took place. Elkhart County has a circuit court and multiple superior courts. Once a case is filed, it's part of the public record. Plain copies are cheaper than certified copies, so clarify what you need before requesting. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
For mail requests, include the defendant's full name, any known cause number or approximate filing date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk's office will confirm what it can find in the system and send available documents.
Online Search for Elkhart County DUI Cases
Indiana's MyCase portal is free, available any time, and doesn't require a login. Search by name or cause number to find Elkhart County OWI cases. The system returns the case type, charges, filing date, court dates, and final disposition. Most cases filed after 2005 are available online. Cases from before that period may require a visit or written request to the Goshen courthouse.
The main MyCase site at mycase.in.gov provides additional information about the portal, including how to interpret search results. For questions about accessing court records more broadly, the Indiana Courts public records page covers what's open to the public, what's restricted, and how to handle older or sealed records.
Indiana OWI Law and Elkhart County Cases
Indiana law uses OWI, not DUI. The main statute is IC 9-30-5. Operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or more is an OWI. A BAC of .15% or higher, or conduct that endangered another person, upgrades the charge from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor. Class A carries a higher potential jail sentence and fines.
A second OWI conviction within seven years of the first becomes a Level 6 felony. Elkhart County courts see a range of OWI cases, from first-time misdemeanor filings to felony repeat offenses. Habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9 can follow multiple OWI convictions and result in extended license suspension or revocation. All of these rules apply statewide, including in Elkhart County.
License Suspension and Driving Privileges
Under IC 9-30-6, the Indiana BMV can impose an administrative license suspension after an OWI arrest. This process runs independently of the criminal case. A driver can be suspended before a verdict is reached. The administrative suspension has its own timeline and its own process for contesting. Drivers should check the Indiana BMV driver record portal to view current license status and any active suspensions.
Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 allow limited driving during a suspension for purposes like work or medical appointments. These require a court order from an Elkhart County judge. The privileges come with conditions, and violating them can result in additional charges or penalties. If you need to pursue specialized driving privileges, consult a licensed attorney or use the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center for guidance.
Expungement in Elkhart County
Indiana's expungement law under IC 35-38-9 provides a path to seal certain OWI convictions. Misdemeanor OWI convictions can be expunged after five years from the conviction date. Level 6 felony OWI convictions require an eight-year wait. During that period, all court costs and fines must be paid and no new criminal charges can be filed.
After an expungement is granted, the record is removed from standard public searches like MyCase. That said, certain agencies retain access to sealed records for specific legal purposes. Anyone considering expungement in Elkhart County should check the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center for the petition process and forms, or consult with a qualified attorney.
Self-Service Legal Resources
The Indiana courts offer a self-service legal center for people handling court matters without an attorney. The center has forms, guides, and step-by-step instructions for many court actions, including expungement petitions and license matters. The page is available at in.gov/courts/selfservice.
Indiana Self-Service Legal Center for Elkhart County DUI records help
This site is especially useful for Elkhart County residents who are dealing with an OWI matter and want to understand their options without paying for a full legal consultation.
Legal Help in Elkhart County
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income qualifying residents, which can include expungement matters and questions about court records. The Indiana State Bar Association has a referral service that connects callers with licensed attorneys in or near Elkhart County. For arrest records maintained by law enforcement rather than courts, the Indiana State Police handles OWI arrests on state roads throughout Elkhart County.
Cities in Elkhart County
Elkhart County includes two cities that qualify for individual city pages. OWI cases involving residents of these cities are filed with the Elkhart County courts in Goshen.
Nearby Counties
Elkhart County borders several other northern Indiana counties. Use these links for OWI and DUI records in neighboring jurisdictions.