Hendricks County DUI Records Search
Hendricks County DUI records are maintained by the Hendricks County Circuit Court Clerk in Danville and are accessible to the public through Indiana's statewide online case search system. A fast-growing Indianapolis suburban county to the west of Marion County, Hendricks County handles OWI cases from Danville, Plainfield, and surrounding communities. This guide covers how to search those records through MyCase, what the Danville courthouse can provide in person, and what Indiana OWI laws under IC 9-30-5 mean for cases filed here.
Hendricks County Quick Facts
Hendricks County Circuit Court Clerk
The Hendricks County Circuit Court Clerk's office is at the Hendricks County Courthouse, 500 E Main St, Danville, IN 46122. Call 317-745-9385 to reach the clerk. The office maintains all official court records for the county, including OWI and DUI case filings, docket entries, and sentencing orders. Hours are typically Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Confirm current hours by phone before making the drive to Danville.
Each OWI charge filed under IC 9-30-5 gets a cause number and enters the court's record system. Records are public once filed. The clerk searches by name, cause number, or filing date. Certified copies are available for a higher fee; plain copies cost less. For mail requests, write to the clerk with the defendant's name, approximate offense date, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response.
Hendricks County has grown rapidly as part of the Indianapolis metro area. The court system has expanded along with population growth, and the county now has multiple Superior Court divisions in addition to the Circuit Court. OWI cases can be assigned to any of these courts. MyCase shows which specific court and judge have a given case.
How to Find Hendricks County DUI Records
The best starting point for Hendricks County OWI records is MyCase. It is free and requires no login. Search by defendant name or cause number to find case details including charges, filing date, court dates, and judge assigned. Most cases from 2005 forward are in the digital system. For older records, the clerk in Danville maintains paper files.
The Indiana Courts public records portal gives guidance on record types, how to make formal requests, and what the state court system makes available to the public. For Hendricks County, the Circuit Court in Danville is the court of record for all OWI filings, both misdemeanor and felony.
Arrest records from the Hendricks County Sheriff, Danville Police, or Plainfield Police are separate from court records. Those require direct requests to the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. If state troopers were involved, contact the Indiana State Police.
The Indiana State Police website provides access to information about ISP-handled arrests, which may include OWI stops on state highways through Hendricks County.
ISP handles OWI enforcement on state roads through Hendricks County, and their records are separate from county sheriff and court filings.
OWI Charges and Penalties in Hendricks County
Indiana uses OWI instead of DUI in its statutes. The law is IC 9-30-5. A first OWI with a BAC of .08% or above is a Class C misdemeanor, with up to 60 days in jail. If the BAC reaches .15% or higher, or if another person was put in danger, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail.
A second OWI offense within seven years of a prior conviction is a Level 6 felony. Hendricks County prosecutors take OWI cases seriously, and the county's growth has brought more traffic and enforcement on its roads and highways. Factors that raise charges above Level 6 include having a child in the vehicle, causing a crash with injuries, or testing at an extremely high BAC. Deaths and serious bodily harm can result in Level 4 or Level 5 felony charges with mandatory prison time.
Following an OWI arrest, the BMV can suspend driving privileges under IC 9-30-6 before any court outcome. This administrative suspension is independent of the criminal case. Drivers can petition the Hendricks County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical needs while the suspension is active.
Driver Records and BMV Actions
The Indiana BMV handles driver records separately from court records. An official driver abstract costs $4 and is available through the BMV driver record page. It shows all license suspensions, OWI-related actions, and habitual traffic violator designations under IC 9-30-9. Courts, insurance companies, and attorneys use this document when reviewing driving histories.
An administrative suspension under IC 9-30-6 can begin at the time of arrest if a driver refuses a chemical test or if the BAC exceeds the legal limit. It runs on its own schedule, separate from the criminal case. A court conviction may then impose an additional suspension period. Dealing with both requires separate steps: the BMV for the administrative piece and the Hendricks County Circuit Court for the criminal one. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has petition forms for specialized driving privileges that apply in Hendricks County courts.
Expunging OWI Records in Hendricks County
Indiana's Second Chance Law is at IC 35-38-9. It lets eligible people petition to have certain criminal records sealed, including some OWI convictions. For a misdemeanor OWI, the waiting period is five years from conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, it is eight years.
Sealing does not erase the record. It limits who can see it in standard public searches. Courts and government agencies retain access. The petition is filed with the Hendricks County Circuit Court. A filing fee applies. The prosecutor is notified and may object. A judge reviews and decides. OWI cases with serious injury or death are typically not eligible, and prior expungements can affect whether you qualify. Getting legal advice before filing saves time and reduces the risk of denial on procedural grounds.
Legal Resources in Hendricks County
Hendricks County residents dealing with OWI matters can access several free resources. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides free court forms and step-by-step guidance for expungement petitions, specialized driving privilege requests, and related court filings. Everything is available online at no cost.
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. They assist with some license-related and post-conviction matters. Hendricks County's proximity to Indianapolis means there is generally reasonable access to ILS services. Contact them online or by phone to find out what is available for your situation.
The Indiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that connects people with licensed criminal defense attorneys. There are OWI defense attorneys throughout the Indianapolis metro area who regularly take cases in Hendricks County courts. The Bar referral service can help you find one that suits your situation.
DUI Records in Hendricks County Cities
Plainfield is the qualifying city in Hendricks County. OWI cases from Plainfield and all other communities in the county are handled by the Hendricks County Circuit Court in Danville. You can find more information specific to Plainfield at the city page below.
Nearby Counties
OWI records for counties adjacent to Hendricks are maintained by their own circuit courts. The links below go to those county pages.