Find DUI Records in Hancock County
Hancock County DUI records are maintained by the Hancock County Circuit Court Clerk in Greenfield and are open to the public through Indiana's statewide online case search system. Located east of Indianapolis as part of the metro area, Hancock County processes OWI cases from Greenfield and surrounding communities. This guide explains how to search those records online through MyCase, what information the Greenfield courthouse can provide, and how Indiana's OWI laws under IC 9-30-5 apply to cases filed in this county.
Hancock County Quick Facts
Hancock County Circuit Court Clerk
The Hancock County Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at the Hancock County Courthouse, 9 E Main St, Greenfield, IN 46140. You can reach the clerk by phone at 317-477-1109. The clerk maintains all official court records for the county, including every OWI and DUI case filed in Greenfield. Hours are generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Calling ahead is a good idea before making the trip to the courthouse.
When law enforcement charges someone with OWI under IC 9-30-5, the clerk assigns a cause number and enters the case into the court's record system. That record is public once filed. You can search by defendant name, cause number, or filing date at the clerk's office. Certified copies cost more than plain copies, and both are available. For mail requests, send a written inquiry with the person's name, approximate offense date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Search Hancock County DUI Records Online
The fastest way to find Hancock County OWI records is through MyCase, Indiana's free public court search tool. No account is needed. You search by name or cause number, and results show charges, case status, court dates, and the judge assigned. Most cases filed after 2005 are in the digital system. Older records may only be available on paper at the Greenfield courthouse.
The Indiana Courts public records portal is a good companion resource. It covers what types of records are accessible across the state system, how to make formal requests, and what to expect during the process. For Hancock County, all OWI cases go through the Circuit Court in Greenfield, which is the court of record for both misdemeanor and felony charges.
Arrest records from the Hancock County Sheriff or Greenfield Police Department are separate from court filings. Those require direct requests to the relevant law enforcement agency. If a state trooper made the arrest, contact the Indiana State Police for that record.
Driver records tied to OWI suspensions are handled by the BMV. An official driver abstract costs $4 and is available through the BMV driver record page. This document shows all license actions, including suspensions under IC 9-30-6 and habitual traffic violator designations under IC 9-30-9.
The Indiana Courts public records portal provides guidance on how to access OWI case records statewide, including for Hancock County residents.
The portal explains the types of records available and the process for submitting a formal request if the online system does not have what you need.
OWI Charges and Penalties in Hancock County
Indiana uses OWI, Operating While Intoxicated, not DUI. The law is IC 9-30-5. A first-offense OWI with a BAC of .08% or above is a Class C misdemeanor. That carries up to 60 days in jail and fines. If the BAC hits .15% or higher, or if another person was put at risk, the charge rises to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail.
A second OWI within seven years becomes a Level 6 felony. That is a prison-level offense, not just a jail sentence, and the consequences are significantly more serious. Hancock County is part of the Indianapolis metro area, and prosecutors here actively pursue OWI charges. Factors that can increase charge severity include having a child in the vehicle, causing an accident, or producing a very high BAC reading. Cases involving serious bodily harm or death can be charged at higher felony levels.
An OWI arrest can also trigger an administrative license suspension under IC 9-30-6 before any court outcome. That suspension can apply if you refuse a chemical test or if your BAC exceeds the legal limit at the time of arrest. Drivers can petition the Hancock County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 to maintain limited driving access during the suspension period.
Driver Records and BMV Actions
The Indiana BMV maintains driver records separately from court records. If you need to see the official history of a driver's license, including OWI-related suspensions, the BMV is the right source. An official driver abstract costs $4 and is available online through the BMV driver record page. Insurance companies, attorneys, and courts rely on this document when reviewing a driver's history.
Administrative suspensions under IC 9-30-6 begin at arrest, not conviction. They run on their own timeline and do not pause during criminal proceedings. A person convicted in court may then face a second suspension period imposed by the judge. Dealing with both requires separate steps: one with the BMV and one with the Hancock County Circuit Court. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms for specialized driving privilege petitions that courts in Hancock County accept.
Expunging OWI Records in Hancock County
Indiana's expungement law is at IC 35-38-9. It is sometimes called the Second Chance Law. It lets people petition the court to seal certain criminal records, including OWI convictions, after a set waiting period. For a misdemeanor OWI, you must wait five years from the date of conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, the waiting period is eight years.
Sealing limits public access but does not erase the record. Courts and government agencies can still see sealed records. The petition goes to the Hancock County Circuit Court. A filing fee applies, and the prosecutor is notified and may oppose the petition. A judge reviews the facts and decides. OWI cases involving serious injury or death are generally not eligible for expungement under Indiana law.
Prior expungements can also affect eligibility. The rules are specific, and it is worth consulting an attorney before filing to make sure you qualify and that the petition is prepared correctly.
Legal Resources for Hancock County Residents
Several statewide resources serve residents of Hancock County dealing with OWI charges or record questions. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides free court forms and plain-language instructions for expungement petitions, driving privilege requests, and other court matters. Everything is available online at no cost.
Indiana Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents on civil matters, including some license-related and post-conviction issues. Hancock County is near Indianapolis, so access to ILS services may be more available than in rural parts of the state. Contact them by phone or through their online intake process to ask what help is available for your situation.
The Indiana State Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service for people who need a licensed criminal defense attorney. There are attorneys in the Indianapolis metro area who routinely handle OWI cases in Hancock County courts. The Bar can help you find one that matches your situation.
For court case information, MyCase is always a good first stop. It shows current case status, charges, and hearings for OWI cases filed in Hancock County without requiring an account or any cost.
OWI Records in Hancock County Cities
Greenfield is the county seat and the qualifying city in Hancock County. OWI cases from Greenfield and all other towns in the county are handled by the Hancock County Circuit Court in Greenfield. You can find Greenfield-specific DUI records information at the city page below.
Nearby Counties
If you need DUI records from a county neighboring Hancock, each maintains its own circuit court and public records system. The links below go to those county pages.