Search Fountain County DUI Records
Fountain County DUI records are maintained by the Fountain County Circuit Court Clerk in Covington, Indiana. When an OWI case is filed in this western Indiana county, it enters the public court record and can be accessed by anyone. The clerk's office in Covington and Indiana's free online case search system are the two main ways to find these records. This guide explains how the search works, what Indiana's OWI laws say, and what resources are available to people dealing with a case in Fountain County.
Fountain County Quick Facts
Fountain County Circuit Court Clerk
The Fountain County Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of all court records in the county, including OWI and DUI filings. The office is at the Fountain County Courthouse, 301 4th St, Covington, IN 47932. The clerk's phone number is 765-793-3515. Staff can search by defendant name or cause number and provide plain or certified copies of documents on request.
When law enforcement charges someone with an OWI under IC 9-30-5, the case goes to the circuit court in the county where the arrest occurred. For Fountain County, that's the courthouse in Covington. The file is assigned a cause number and becomes a public record from that point forward. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting in person.
Finding Fountain County OWI Records Online
The MyCase public search portal is the easiest way to look up Fountain County DUI records without going to the courthouse. It's free, no account is needed, and it's available any time. Search by name or cause number. The system shows the charges filed, hearing dates, and the case outcome. Most cases from 2005 onward are in the database. Older records may require a direct request to the Covington courthouse.
For general information about Indiana's public records access system, the Indiana Courts public records page explains what types of records are open, which ones are restricted, and how to request records that may not appear in the online portal. If MyCase doesn't show a case you're looking for, that page can help explain why.
Indiana OWI Laws and Penalties
Indiana uses OWI, not DUI, to describe impaired driving offenses. The primary statute is IC 9-30-5. Operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or more is an OWI. At .15% or above, or if someone was endangered, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor instead of the standard Class C misdemeanor. The Class A carries heavier penalties.
A second OWI within seven years of a first conviction is charged as a Level 6 felony. That means the case is still heard in the Fountain County court, but the penalties are far more serious, including possible prison time in a state facility. Under IC 9-30-9, habitual traffic violator status can come into play after multiple OWI convictions, resulting in extended or permanent license suspension.
Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 may give a suspended driver limited driving rights for specific purposes, such as getting to work or medical appointments. These require a court order and come with conditions the driver must follow.
BMV and License Actions
Under IC 9-30-6, the Indiana BMV can suspend a driver's license after an OWI arrest in Fountain County, even before the criminal case concludes. This administrative suspension is a separate process from the criminal proceeding. The Indiana BMV driver record portal lets you check a driver's current license status and see any active or past suspensions. If you're trying to understand the full impact of an OWI on someone's driving record, the BMV record is a key piece.
Drivers who want to contest an administrative suspension have a limited window to do so. The process and deadlines are different from those in the criminal case. Anyone dealing with this should consult an attorney promptly, since missing the deadline to contest typically means the suspension stands.
Expungement of OWI Records in Fountain County
Indiana's expungement law, IC 35-38-9, gives qualifying individuals a path to seal OWI convictions from public records. Misdemeanor OWI convictions can be expunged after five years from the conviction date. Level 6 felony OWI convictions require eight years. All fines and costs must be paid, and no new criminal charges can occur during the waiting period.
Once granted, the expungement means the record won't show up in standard public searches. It's not a full erasure, though. Some agencies can still see sealed records under specific legal conditions. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has the petition forms and step-by-step instructions for Fountain County residents who want to pursue this on their own. For free legal help, Indiana Legal Services may assist those who qualify based on income.
MyCase Public Access Portal
Indiana's MyCase portal provides direct public access to court case records, including those filed in Fountain County's circuit court for OWI and DUI charges.
MyCase public access portal for Fountain County DUI records
Use this portal to search Fountain County OWI cases by name or cause number without making a trip to the Covington courthouse.
Legal Help in Fountain County
Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents across the state, including those in Fountain County. For people who need a licensed attorney, the Indiana State Bar Association maintains a referral service. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is the best free resource for anyone navigating court processes without legal representation.
Arrest records for OWI incidents in Fountain County may be held by the Fountain County Sheriff's Department or the Indiana State Police, depending on who made the arrest. Either way, the court record at the Covington courthouse is where you'll find case outcomes and charge details.
Cities in Fountain County
Covington is the county seat of Fountain County. No cities in Fountain County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All OWI and DUI cases for Covington residents and others across the county are handled through the Fountain County Circuit Court in Covington.
Nearby Counties
Fountain County is bordered by several western Indiana counties. Use these links to look up OWI and DUI records in neighboring areas.