Lake County DUI Records Search
Lake County DUI and OWI records are handled by one of Indiana's busiest court systems, covering Hammond, Gary, Crown Point, Schererville, Hobart, East Chicago, and other communities across this large northwestern Indiana county. The Lake County Clerk of Circuit and Superior Courts maintains all case filings and is the primary source for OWI court records. This page explains how to search those records, what the courts charge, and what state law applies to OWI cases filed in Lake County.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk of Circuit and Superior Courts
The Lake County Clerk's office is located at the Lake County Government Center, 2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307. The clerk handles all official court filings for the county's circuit and superior courts. You can reach the clerk at 219-755-3460. The office maintains OWI and DUI case records including charging documents, case histories, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation arrangements. Lake County is Indiana's second most populous county, and its court system processes a large volume of cases each year.
One important rule to know before you visit: all cases filed in person at the Lake County Clerk's office must be paid by cash or money order only. Personal checks are not accepted for in-person transactions. If your case was e-filed, electronic payment methods are available. This applies to copy fees and other in-person transactions as well. Call ahead at 219-755-3460 to confirm what you will need to bring.
The Lake County Clerk's office page lists services, contact information, and hours. It is a useful first stop for understanding what the clerk can provide and how to make requests for OWI case documents.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office plays a key role in OWI enforcement throughout the county. The Sheriff can be reached at 219-755-3400. For the full county government directory, visit the Lake County government homepage.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office handles OWI enforcement across unincorporated parts of the county and assists city police departments in the county's many municipalities.
How to Search Lake County DUI Records
The primary tool for searching Lake County OWI records online is MyCase, the free Indiana courts public search portal. You can search by name, cause number, or attorney. Results show the case type, filing date, charge description, court assignment, and scheduled hearings. OWI charges filed under IC 9-30-5 appear in the case summary along with the applicable charge level.
Lake County has several courts and divisions, each handling different types of cases. The Circuit Court can be reached at 219-755-3488. The Superior Court Criminal Division Room 1 handles many OWI matters and is reachable at 219-755-3500. The Adult Probation department, which oversees OWI probation terms, is at 219-755-3535. Community Corrections, which runs alternative sentencing programs, is at 219-755-3850. Knowing which division has your case helps when calling for status updates or requesting documents.
Beyond the statewide MyCase system, Lake County's size means that some cases may be tracked through city court systems as well. East Chicago City Court (219-391-8489), Gary Clerk (219-881-6065), Hammond Clerk (219-933-2857), Hobart City Court (219-942-8218), Crown Point City Court (219-662-3243), and Schererville Town Court (219-865-5579) each maintain their own records for cases filed at the local level. Not all city court records appear in MyCase, so contacting the relevant city court directly may be needed for older or lower-level cases.
The clerk's office page shown below is the central hub for Lake County court record requests and case filing information.
The Lake County Clerk's office manages official case records for circuit and superior court OWI cases and can provide certified copies of documents for a fee.
OWI Laws and DUI Charges in Lake County
Indiana law refers to drunk driving as OWI, not DUI. The governing statute is IC 9-30-5. A BAC at or above .08% supports an OWI charge. A first offense at that level is a Class C misdemeanor, carrying up to 60 days in jail. If the BAC hits .15% or higher, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail. A second OWI within seven years of the first conviction is a Level 6 felony, which means a sentence range of six months to two and a half years.
Lake County prosecutors and judges deal with a high volume of OWI cases each year given the county's population and proximity to Chicago. The Prosecutor's office is at 219-755-3720 and the Public Defender at 219-755-3550. People charged with OWI in Lake County go through arraignment, pre-trial conferences, and either a plea or trial. Sentencing for felony OWI cases can include prison time, fines, probation, substance abuse treatment, and community service, depending on the facts and the defendant's prior record.
Aggravating factors matter a lot in Lake County cases. A very high BAC, a child in the vehicle, or an accident with injuries can push a charge to a Level 5 or Level 4 felony. An OWI that causes death can result in charges far more serious than a standard drunk driving case. The county's superior court felony division handles those cases with full criminal procedures.
License Suspensions and Driving Records
An OWI arrest in Lake County triggers an automatic administrative process at the BMV. Under IC 9-30-6, a driver who fails a chemical test or refuses one faces a suspension that is separate from any criminal case outcome. The suspension can start well before any conviction. This means a driver could be dealing with both a criminal case in court and a license issue through the BMV at the same time.
To see your official Indiana driver record, go to the BMV driver record page. The fee is $4 for an online record. The record shows all active suspensions, OWI-related actions, and whether you have a habitual traffic violator designation under IC 9-30-9. Habitual violator status can mean a 10-year suspension for repeat OWI offenders, which is a severe consequence.
Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 can be granted by the court during an active suspension. These allow limited driving for work, medical appointments, and other essential purposes. Forms for this petition are on the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center. Lake County judges routinely handle these petitions, and having an attorney helps ensure the petition is filed correctly and heard quickly.
Expunging Lake County OWI Records
Indiana's Second Chance Law at IC 35-38-9 allows people to petition the court to restrict public access to criminal records after a waiting period. For a misdemeanor OWI conviction in Lake County, the wait is five years. For a Level 6 felony OWI, the wait is eight years. The petition is filed with the Lake County Superior Court. The prosecutor's office (219-755-3720) must be notified and has a chance to object before the judge rules.
Expungement does not delete the record. Law enforcement and courts keep full access. But once a court grants an expungement, most public-facing background check services must restrict or remove the record. Lake County's court system is experienced with expungement filings given the county's size. That said, the eligibility rules are strict, and a rejected petition can set back the process. Getting legal advice before you file is worth the effort.
Legal Resources in Lake County
Lake County has strong legal resources given its size. Indiana Legal Services serves the northwest Indiana region and can assist low-income residents with civil legal matters, including post-conviction issues like expungement. Their intake process works by phone and online.
The Indiana State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service connecting people to criminal defense attorneys in Lake County. Hammond, Gary, and Crown Point have many private OWI defense lawyers with experience in local courts. The county's Jury Administrator (219-755-3494) and court administration staff can also help with procedural questions about how cases move through the system. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is a good starting point for people who need forms and plain-language explanations of court procedures without an attorney.
Cities in Lake County with DUI Records
Lake County includes several cities above the qualifying population threshold. OWI cases filed in these cities may appear in both the city court system and the Lake County circuit and superior courts, depending on charge level.
Nearby Counties
Lake County borders Porter, Newton, and Jasper counties in Indiana. If you need OWI records from an adjacent county, these pages have the relevant information.