Franklin County DUI Records
Franklin County DUI records are public court documents filed with the Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk in Brookville, Indiana. This southeastern Indiana county borders Ohio and handles OWI cases through its circuit court. If you need to find a specific DUI or OWI record in Franklin County, you can search online through Indiana's MyCase portal or request records directly from the clerk's office in Brookville. This page covers the full process, explains how Indiana law applies to OWI cases, and points to resources that can help.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
The Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for all court records in the county, including OWI and DUI filings. The office is at the Franklin County Courthouse, 459 Main St, Brookville, IN 47012. The clerk can be reached at 765-647-5111. Staff can search records by name or cause number and can provide copies of documents for cases in the system.
OWI cases in Franklin County are filed under IC 9-30-5 in the circuit court. The case is assigned a cause number and becomes a public record from the time of filing. Certified copies of documents cost more than plain copies. If you need to verify that a specific case exists before driving to Brookville, checking MyCase online is a good first step.
Mail requests are processed by the clerk's office. Include the defendant's name, any known case details, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will respond with the information available in the system for the name or case you provide.
Searching Franklin County DUI Records Online
Indiana's MyCase portal gives public access to Franklin County court records at no cost. You can search by name or cause number. The results show the charges filed, the case type, hearing dates, and the final outcome. Most cases filed after 2005 are in the system. Older records may only be available in paper form at the Brookville courthouse.
The Indiana Courts public records page provides additional guidance on what's accessible, what restrictions apply, and how to handle requests for records that don't appear in the online search. If you're having trouble finding a specific case in MyCase, that page is a good place to check before contacting the clerk directly.
OWI Law in Indiana and Franklin County
Indiana calls its drunk driving offense OWI, not DUI. The primary law is IC 9-30-5. A first OWI with a BAC of .08% to .14% is a Class C misdemeanor. Reaching .15% or putting someone in danger raises it to a Class A misdemeanor. The distinction carries real weight in terms of the potential jail time and fines involved.
A second OWI within seven years of the first becomes a Level 6 felony. Franklin County courts handle misdemeanor and felony OWI cases. Felony cases carry the possibility of prison time in a state facility, not just a local jail stay. Under IC 9-30-9, a pattern of OWI convictions can lead to habitual traffic violator status, which results in extended or permanent license suspension.
When you look up a Franklin County OWI record on MyCase, the charge code will typically reference IC 9-30-5 along with the class or level of the offense. Understanding these codes helps you interpret what you find in the search results.
License Suspension and Driving Privileges
An OWI arrest in Franklin County triggers two separate proceedings. The criminal case goes through the circuit court. At the same time, the Indiana BMV can suspend the driver's license under IC 9-30-6 before the criminal case ends. This administrative action has its own rules and its own timeline for contesting. Drivers who want to challenge an administrative suspension have a short window to act, and missing it typically means the suspension sticks.
The Indiana BMV driver record portal lets you check a driver's current license status and history of suspensions. For those subject to a suspension, specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 may allow limited driving for work or medical purposes with a court order from a Franklin County judge. Conditions apply, and violations carry their own penalties.
Expungement in Franklin County
Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9 allows certain OWI convictions to be sealed after a waiting period. Misdemeanor OWI convictions require five years from the conviction date. Level 6 felony OWI convictions require eight years. All fines and costs must be paid and no new charges can occur during the wait.
A granted expungement removes the record from standard public searches like MyCase. It's not a total wipe since certain agencies can still access sealed records in specific situations. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides petition forms and step-by-step instructions. Indiana Legal Services may help qualifying low-income residents at no cost.
Indiana Courts Public Records Portal
The Indiana Courts public records portal covers access to records from all Indiana counties, including Franklin County's circuit court filings for OWI and DUI cases.
Indiana Courts public records portal for Franklin County DUI records
This portal is the official resource for understanding what court records are available, how to request them, and what rules govern public access in Franklin County and across the state.
Legal Help in Franklin County
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying residents, including those in Franklin County dealing with expungement or court record issues. The Indiana State Bar Association offers a referral service for people who need to hire a licensed attorney in southeastern Indiana. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is the best free tool for people who want to navigate court processes without a lawyer.
For arrest records in Franklin County, contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Department or the Indiana State Police for incidents on state roads. Arrest records differ from court records. You may need both to get the full picture of an OWI case.
Cities in Franklin County
Brookville is the county seat of Franklin County. No cities in Franklin County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. OWI and DUI cases for Brookville residents and all others in the county are handled through the Franklin County Circuit Court in Brookville.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several other Indiana counties in the southeastern part of the state. Use these links to search OWI and DUI records in neighboring jurisdictions.