Martin County DUI Records

Martin County DUI and OWI records are kept by the circuit court clerk in Shoals and are available to the public through Indiana's MyCase online case search system. This page covers how to find OWI records in Martin County, what Indiana law governs these charges, how to address a license suspension after an OWI arrest, and where residents of this small southern Indiana county can find legal assistance.

Martin County Circuit Court Clerk

The Martin County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all court records for the county, including OWI and DUI case files. The office is located at the Martin County Courthouse, 221 Capitol Ave, Shoals, IN 47581. You can reach the clerk at 812-247-3651. The clerk handles all filings, case histories, certified document copies, and records requests for cases processed through the local circuit court.

Martin County is one of Indiana's smaller rural counties in the southern part of the state. Its court system handles a relatively low volume of cases compared to larger counties. That said, the process for accessing OWI records follows the same state rules that apply everywhere in Indiana. If you need a case document -- a charging document, plea record, or sentencing order -- the clerk can provide it for a fee. Call first to confirm hours and what you will need to pay for copies.

For most public records requests in Martin County, the simplest path is the state's online system. But for older cases or specific documents, visiting the courthouse or mailing a request may be necessary.

How to Find Martin County OWI Records

Start with MyCase, Indiana's free public case search portal. You can search by name, partial name, cause number, or attorney. Results include the charge description under IC 9-30-5, filing date, court assignment, and hearing dates. Martin County cases in recent years should appear in the system quickly after filing.

For cases that predate electronic records, contact the clerk at 812-247-3651. Staff can search paper files by name or case number. The Indiana courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/ explains public access rules and what you can request from any Indiana court, including Martin County.

The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is a key resource for Martin County residents navigating OWI court procedures without an attorney.

The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice/ provides forms, guides, and step-by-step instructions for OWI-related court matters, including petitions for specialized driving privileges and expungement.

OWI Laws Covering Martin County Cases

Indiana uses the term OWI. The main statute is IC 9-30-5. A BAC at or above .08% can result in an OWI charge. A first offense at that level is a Class C misdemeanor with up to 60 days in jail. If the BAC is .15% or higher, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor with up to a year in jail. That gap matters when it comes to sentencing and what options might be available in plea talks.

A second OWI within seven years of the first conviction is a Level 6 felony. Martin County circuit court handles these cases with the same procedural steps as any other Indiana felony -- arraignment, discovery, possible plea, or trial. Sentencing for a Level 6 felony ranges from six months to two and a half years. More serious OWI cases involving injury or death carry Level 5 or Level 4 felony charges with longer sentence ranges.

Administrative suspension under IC 9-30-6 runs through the BMV and is separate from the criminal case. A driver who fails or refuses a chemical test faces a license suspension that starts immediately, before any court conviction. This can create real hardship in a rural county where driving is essential. A court petition for specialized driving privileges may help.

Driver Records and License Issues

Martin County residents can get their official Indiana driver record at the BMV online portal for $4. The record shows all suspensions, OWI-related actions, and whether a habitual traffic violator designation applies under IC 9-30-9. A habitual violator designation can mean a 10-year suspension for repeat OWI offenders.

Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 can be granted by the Martin County Circuit Court during an active suspension. These allow limited driving for work, medical appointments, and school. The petition must be filed with the court. Forms and instructions are available at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center. In rural counties like Martin, access to driving can be critical for keeping a job, so getting this petition filed quickly and correctly matters.

Expunging a Martin County OWI Record

Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9 lets people petition the court to restrict public access to OWI records after a waiting period. For a misdemeanor OWI, the wait is five years from conviction. For a Level 6 felony OWI, the wait is eight years. The petition is filed with the Martin County Circuit Court. The prosecutor must be notified and can object before the judge decides.

Expungement limits public access but does not clear the record for law enforcement. Most people pursue expungement to remove the case from public databases. The rules are specific -- not every conviction qualifies. Getting help from a lawyer or a legal aid organization before filing saves time and improves outcomes.

Legal Resources for Martin County Residents

Indiana Legal Services covers southern Indiana and provides free or low-cost civil legal help to qualifying residents, including help with expungement and post-conviction matters. The Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you to a private OWI defense attorney. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms and instructions for people handling their own OWI-related court matters. Public defenders are available for people facing criminal charges who cannot afford an attorney -- contact the court to request one at your first appearance.

Cities in Martin County

Martin County does not include any cities above the qualifying population threshold for this directory. All OWI cases from municipalities across the county are filed with and handled by the Martin County Circuit Court in Shoals.

Nearby Counties

Martin County borders several other southern Indiana counties. These pages have OWI records information for adjacent counties.