Howard County OWI Records Search
Howard County DUI records are maintained by the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk in Kokomo and are available to the public through Indiana's free statewide online case search system. Located in north-central Indiana, Howard County handles OWI cases from Kokomo and surrounding communities under Indiana's operating while intoxicated laws. This guide walks through how to search those records online through MyCase, what the Kokomo courthouse can provide, and what Indiana OWI statutes mean for charges filed in Howard County.
Howard County Quick Facts
Howard County Circuit Court Clerk
The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk's office is at the Howard County Courthouse, 100 N Main St, Kokomo, IN 46901. Phone is 765-456-2200. The clerk maintains all official court records for the county, including OWI and DUI case filings, dockets, and sentencing documents. Hours are generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call before visiting to confirm current hours and procedures.
OWI cases charged under IC 9-30-5 are assigned a cause number and entered into the court's record system at filing. Those records are public. The clerk searches by defendant name, cause number, or filing date. Certified copies cost more than plain copies; both are available at the courthouse. For mail requests, send a written request with the person's name, approximate offense date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response.
Howard County has both a Circuit Court and Superior Courts. OWI cases can be assigned to any of these courts depending on the charge level and docket availability. The Howard County government website has department contact information and courthouse hours for residents who need to visit in person.
How to Search Howard County DUI Records
The best tool for finding Howard County OWI records is MyCase. It is free and no login is needed. Search by defendant name or cause number. Results show the charges, filing date, case status, assigned judge, and court date schedule. Most cases from 2005 forward are in the digital system. Older records may only be available on paper at the Kokomo courthouse.
The Indiana Courts public records portal covers how the state handles court record access and provides guidance for formal requests. For Howard County, the Circuit Court in Kokomo is the court of record for all OWI matters, both misdemeanor and felony.
Arrest records from the Howard County Sheriff or Kokomo Police Department are separate from court filings. Those require direct requests to the relevant law enforcement agency. The Indiana State Police handles records for OWI arrests made by troopers on state roads through Howard County.
Driver records tied to OWI suspensions are maintained by the Indiana BMV. The BMV driver record page provides an official abstract for $4. It shows all license actions including administrative suspensions under IC 9-30-6 and habitual traffic violator designations under IC 9-30-9.
The Indiana trial courts directory provides information about local courts across Indiana, including the Howard County courts that handle OWI filings in Kokomo.
The trial courts directory lists all local courts by county, making it easy to find contact information for the specific Howard County court handling a given OWI case.
OWI Laws and Charges in Howard County
Indiana calls drunk driving OWI, Operating While Intoxicated. The law is IC 9-30-5. A first-offense OWI with a BAC of .08% or higher is a Class C misdemeanor. That carries up to 60 days in jail. If the BAC is .15% or higher, or if another person was endangered, the charge rises to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail.
A second OWI within seven years of the first becomes a Level 6 felony. Howard County prosecutors in Kokomo apply the same state standards as courts across Indiana. Factors that can push charges higher include a child in the vehicle, a crash causing injuries, or a very elevated BAC. When an OWI results in serious bodily harm or death, charges can reach Level 4 or Level 5 felony, which carry mandatory prison minimums.
After arrest, the BMV can suspend driving privileges under IC 9-30-6. That administrative action takes effect independently of the criminal case. Drivers can petition the Howard County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10, allowing limited driving for work, medical, or school purposes while the suspension is active.
Driver Records and License Actions in Howard County
The Indiana BMV maintains driver records separately from court filings. An official driver abstract costs $4 and is available through the BMV driver record page. The abstract shows all license suspensions, reinstatements, OWI-related entries, and habitual traffic violator designations. Courts, attorneys, and insurers use this document when reviewing a person's driving history in connection with an OWI case.
An administrative suspension under IC 9-30-6 can begin immediately after arrest if a driver refuses a chemical test or registers above the legal limit. It runs on its own schedule, independent of the criminal proceedings. A court conviction may then impose a separate suspension period. Dealing with both requires distinct steps: one with the BMV and one with the Howard County Circuit Court. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms for specialized driving privilege petitions used in Howard County courts. Those can help maintain driving access during a suspension for essential trips.
Expunging OWI Records in Howard County
Indiana's Second Chance Law, codified at IC 35-38-9, allows eligible individuals to petition for sealing certain criminal records. OWI convictions may qualify if the required waiting period has passed. For a misdemeanor OWI, that wait is five years from the date of conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, the wait is eight years.
Sealing limits public access but does not erase the underlying record. Courts and government agencies retain access. The petition is filed with the Howard County Circuit Court. A filing fee applies. The prosecutor is notified and can object. The judge decides after reviewing all relevant facts. OWI cases involving serious bodily injury or death are generally not eligible. Prior expungements can also affect eligibility under IC 35-38-9.
The process has specific requirements. Getting legal advice before you file reduces the risk of denial and helps make sure the petition is complete.
Legal Resources in Howard County
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center offers free court forms and step-by-step guides for expungement petitions, specialized driving privilege requests, and other common court filings. Everything is available online, which is useful for Howard County residents who cannot easily get to a courthouse or law office.
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. They assist with some license-related and post-conviction matters. Howard County is a mid-sized Indiana county, and ILS services are generally accessible. Contact them by phone or through their online intake form to find out what is available for your situation.
The Indiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for people who need a licensed criminal defense attorney. There are OWI defense attorneys in the Kokomo area and throughout north-central Indiana who handle cases in Howard County courts. The Bar referral service can help identify attorneys suited to your situation.
DUI Records in Howard County Cities
Kokomo is the county seat and the qualifying city in Howard County. All OWI cases from Kokomo and other communities in the county are handled by the Howard County Circuit Court in Kokomo. You can find more information specific to Kokomo at the city page below.
Nearby Counties
OWI records in counties bordering Howard are handled by their own circuit courts and record systems. The links below go to those county pages.