Search LaPorte County DUI Records
LaPorte County DUI and OWI records are public documents maintained by the county circuit court clerk in LaPorte and are available through Indiana's free online MyCase portal. This page covers how to find OWI case filings in LaPorte County, what Indiana law says about drunk driving charges, how license suspensions work, and where to find legal help in this northwestern Indiana county that borders Lake Michigan.
LaPorte County Quick Facts
LaPorte County Circuit Court Clerk
The LaPorte County Circuit Court Clerk maintains official records for all court cases in the county, including OWI and DUI matters. The clerk's office is at the LaPorte County Courthouse, 813 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350. You can call at 219-326-6808. The clerk's office handles filings, issues certified copies of documents, and maintains the official case history for OWI cases processed through the circuit and superior courts.
LaPorte County sits in northwestern Indiana and borders Lake Michigan. It includes Michigan City, which is the county's largest city and a source of significant court traffic. Cases from Michigan City go to the LaPorte County court system for felony and higher-level misdemeanor OWI charges, though lower-level cases may be handled through city courts. If you're looking for a specific case from Michigan City, start with MyCase and search by the defendant's name or the cause number on the paperwork.
The clerk can tell you whether a case is in their files even if it predates online records. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and what payment methods are accepted for document copies.
How to Find LaPorte County OWI Records
Indiana runs a free statewide court search at mycase.in.gov. This is the best starting point for any LaPorte County DUI records search. You can look up cases by name, partial name, cause number, or attorney. The system shows the case type, charge code under IC 9-30-5, filing date, hearings, and current status. Most cases filed in recent years will be there.
For older cases or paper records, contact the clerk at 219-326-6808. The courthouse also accepts written records requests by mail. If you need a certified copy of a document from a LaPorte County OWI case, the clerk can provide it for a per-page fee. Certification adds an additional charge.
The Indiana courts website at in.gov/courts/public-records/ explains what court records are public and how to request them across all Indiana counties, which is useful if you're not sure what you're entitled to see.
Indiana's statewide court case database gives public access to LaPorte County OWI filings and can be searched free of charge.
MyCase is the primary online tool for searching LaPorte County DUI and OWI case records, with results showing charge details, court dates, and case dispositions.
OWI Laws and DUI Charges in LaPorte County
Indiana uses OWI as the legal term. The charge is set out in IC 9-30-5. A BAC at or above .08% means a potential OWI charge. A first offense at that level is a Class C misdemeanor. If the BAC is .15% or higher, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. A second OWI within seven years of the first is a Level 6 felony.
LaPorte County prosecutors apply these standards in circuit and superior court. Misdemeanor OWI cases are often resolved through plea agreements, diversion programs, or first-offender treatment courts, depending on the facts and the defendant's record. Felony cases take longer and involve more formal proceedings. If serious injury or death is involved, the charge can step up to a Level 5 or Level 4 felony, with sentences measured in years rather than months.
It's worth knowing that administrative license suspension under IC 9-30-6 runs parallel to the criminal case. A driver who fails or refuses a chemical test can lose their license before any conviction. Driving under a suspended license makes things worse. The BMV handles the administrative side, and the court handles the criminal side -- two separate processes running at the same time.
Driving Records and BMV Actions
You can get your official Indiana driving record through the BMV driver record portal for $4. The record shows all suspensions, OWI-related license actions, and any habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9. Habitual violator designation from repeat OWI offenses can lead to a 10-year suspension.
If your license is suspended after a LaPorte County OWI, you can ask the court for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10. These let you drive for essential purposes like work and medical care during the suspension. The petition goes to the court that handled your case. Forms are available at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center, which also has guides for people navigating post-conviction issues without an attorney.
Expunging an OWI Record in LaPorte County
Indiana's expungement law, IC 35-38-9, gives people a path to restrict public access to past OWI convictions. A misdemeanor OWI requires a five-year wait after conviction. A Level 6 felony OWI requires eight years. The petition is filed with the LaPorte County court, and the prosecutor gets a chance to object before a judge decides.
Expungement restricts public access but doesn't wipe the record for law enforcement or courts. For most people, the goal is removing the record from public databases so it no longer appears in standard searches. Getting legal help before filing improves the odds of approval, since small errors in the petition can cause delays.
Legal Resources in LaPorte County
Indiana Legal Services serves northwest Indiana and can help low-income residents with civil legal issues, including expungement and post-conviction matters. The Indiana State Bar Association offers a referral service that connects people to private criminal defense attorneys in the area. Michigan City and LaPorte have private OWI defense lawyers who handle local cases regularly. If you can't afford one, the court appoints a public defender for criminal charges. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms, instructions, and plain-language guides covering many of the most common court situations.
Cities in LaPorte County
LaPorte County includes one city above the qualifying population threshold. OWI cases from Michigan City and all other municipalities in the county are handled by the LaPorte County courts.
Nearby Counties
LaPorte County borders several other Indiana counties. OWI records for adjacent counties can be found through these pages.