Johnson County DUI Records
Johnson County DUI records are maintained by the Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk in Franklin and are accessible to the public through Indiana's statewide online case search system. Located just south of Indianapolis, Johnson County handles OWI cases from Franklin, Greenwood, and surrounding communities under Indiana's operating while intoxicated law. Court records are available through MyCase.in.gov. This guide explains how to search those records, what the Franklin courthouse can provide in person or by mail, and what Indiana OWI statutes under IC 9-30-5 mean for cases charged in this county.
Johnson County Quick Facts
Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk
The Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk is at the Johnson County Courthouse, 86 W Court St, Franklin, IN 46131. Call 317-346-4300 to reach the office. The clerk maintains all official court records for the county, including OWI and DUI case filings, docket entries, and sentencing documents. Hours are generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call before your visit to confirm current availability.
When law enforcement files an OWI charge under IC 9-30-5, the clerk assigns a cause number and enters the case into the record system. Those records are public once filed. The clerk searches by defendant name, cause number, or filing date. Certified copies cost more than plain copies; both are available. For mail requests, send a written inquiry with the defendant's name, approximate offense date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply.
Johnson County has multiple Superior Court divisions in addition to the Circuit Court. OWI cases can be assigned to any of them. MyCase shows which court and judge have a specific case. The Johnson County government website at johnsoncounty.in.gov provides courthouse hours and department contact information for residents who need to visit in person.
How to Search Johnson County OWI Records
The free public court search tool is MyCase. It requires no account. Search by defendant name or cause number. Results show the charges, filing date, case status, judge assigned, and upcoming court dates. Most OWI cases from 2005 onward are in the digital system. Older records may only exist in paper form at the Franklin courthouse.
The Indiana Courts public records portal is a useful companion resource. It explains what records are accessible statewide and how to make formal requests. For Johnson County, the Circuit Court in Franklin is the court of record for all OWI filings, both misdemeanor and felony.
Arrest records from the Johnson County Sheriff, Franklin Police, or Greenwood Police are separate from court records. Those require direct requests to those agencies. If state troopers made the arrest, contact the Indiana State Police. Driver records tied to OWI suspensions are available from the Indiana BMV for $4 per official abstract.
The Indiana BMV driver record page provides an official abstract showing all license suspensions and OWI-related BMV actions for Johnson County residents and drivers stopped in the county.
The BMV abstract is often required for court proceedings, insurance reviews, and license reinstatement steps connected to OWI cases filed in Johnson County.
OWI Laws and Charges in Johnson County
Indiana law uses OWI, not DUI. The statute 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. A BAC of .15% or higher, or endangering another person, elevates the charge to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail.
A second OWI within seven years of the first is a Level 6 felony. Johnson County prosecutors apply the same statewide charging standards as courts across Indiana. Johnson County is part of the Indianapolis metro area and has active law enforcement presence on its roads and highways, including Interstate 65. Factors that raise charges include a child in the vehicle, a crash causing injuries, or a very high BAC. When serious bodily harm or death results from an OWI, charges can rise to Level 4 or Level 5 felony with mandatory prison time.
After an OWI arrest, the BMV can suspend driving privileges under IC 9-30-6 before any court outcome. That suspension runs separately from the criminal case. Drivers can petition the Johnson County Circuit Court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical needs during the suspension period.
Driver Records and License Actions
The Indiana BMV handles driver records separately from courts. An official driver abstract costs $4 and is available through the BMV driver record page. It shows all license suspensions, reinstatements, OWI-related entries, and habitual traffic violator designations under IC 9-30-9. Courts, insurers, and attorneys use this document when reviewing a driving history in connection with a Johnson County OWI case.
Administrative suspensions under IC 9-30-6 can begin at the time of arrest if a driver refuses a chemical test or blows above the legal limit. That suspension runs on its own schedule and does not pause during court proceedings. A court conviction may impose a second suspension period on top of the administrative one. Addressing both requires working with both the BMV and the Johnson County Circuit Court. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has petition forms for specialized driving privileges accepted by Johnson County courts.
Expunging OWI Records in Johnson County
Indiana's Second Chance Law at IC 35-38-9 allows eligible people to petition to seal certain criminal records. For a misdemeanor OWI conviction, the waiting period is five years from conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, it is eight years.
Sealing limits public access but does not erase the record. Courts and government agencies retain access. The petition goes to the Johnson County Circuit Court. A filing fee applies. The prosecutor receives notice and may object. A judge decides. OWI cases involving serious injury or death are generally not eligible. Prior expungements may also affect eligibility under IC 35-38-9.
The rules are detailed and specific. Getting legal advice before filing saves time and reduces the risk of denial on procedural grounds. Johnson County's proximity to Indianapolis means there are experienced OWI defense attorneys who practice in Franklin courts.
Legal Resources in Johnson County
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides free court forms and step-by-step guides for expungement petitions, driving privilege requests, and other court matters. It is entirely online and free to use. Johnson County residents can access it without visiting the courthouse.
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. They handle some license-related and post-conviction issues. Johnson County is part of the Indianapolis metro area, and ILS services are generally accessible for residents here. Contact them online or by phone to find out what is available.
The Indiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a licensed OWI defense attorney. There are attorneys throughout the Indianapolis metro area who regularly take cases in Johnson County courts in Franklin. The Bar referral service can help find one suited to your situation.
OWI Records in Johnson County Cities
Greenwood is the qualifying city in Johnson County. OWI cases from Greenwood and all other communities in the county are handled by the Johnson County Circuit Court in Franklin. You can find more information specific to Greenwood at the city page below.
Nearby Counties
OWI records from counties bordering Johnson are maintained by their own circuit courts and public record systems. The links below go to those county pages.