Monroe County DUI Records Search
Monroe County DUI and OWI records are public court documents maintained by the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk in Bloomington and searchable through Indiana's free MyCase portal. This page covers how to find OWI case filings in Monroe County, what Indiana statutes govern these charges, how license suspensions work, and where to get legal help in this south-central Indiana county that includes Indiana University.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
The Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk maintains official court records for all cases in the county, including OWI and DUI filings. The clerk's office is at the Monroe County Courthouse, 301 N College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47404. You can reach the clerk at 812-349-2614. The office handles case filings, document copies, certified records requests, and general case information for matters processed through the local circuit and superior courts.
Monroe County covers Bloomington and surrounding communities. The county's court system handles a significant caseload given Bloomington's size and the presence of Indiana University, which brings a large population of young adults. OWI cases from Bloomington and other parts of the county are all filed through the county clerk. If you need a document from a specific case, call 812-349-2614 to ask about fees, hours, and how to submit your request. The county website at monroecounty.in.gov has staff directory information and links to county offices including the clerk.
Monroe County also maintains GIS maps and online tools that residents can access through the county website. For OWI records specifically, though, the court clerk and the statewide MyCase portal are the primary sources.
How to Search Monroe County OWI Records
Start with MyCase, Indiana's free public court search tool. You can search Monroe County OWI cases by name, partial name, cause number, or attorney. Results show the charge type under IC 9-30-5, filing date, assigned judge, upcoming hearings, and current case status. Cases filed in recent years are typically in the system within a couple of days of filing.
Older cases that predate electronic filing won't appear in MyCase. For those, contact the clerk at 812-349-2614. Staff can search paper records by name or case number. You can also submit a written request by mail. The Indiana courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/ outlines what court records are public and how to request them across all Indiana counties.
Monroe County OWI records are generally public. Juvenile records and court-sealed files are the main exceptions. The clerk can tell you whether a particular record is available before you make a formal request, which saves time if access is restricted.
Indiana's trial courts directory provides contact and location information for all county courts, including the Monroe County courts in Bloomington.
The Indiana courts local directory at in.gov/courts/local lists all circuit and superior court locations, hours, and filing procedures for Monroe County and every other Indiana county court.
OWI Laws Covering Monroe County Cases
Indiana uses OWI as the legal term for drunk driving, not DUI. The core statute is IC 9-30-5. A BAC at or above .08% supports a 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. Class C carries up to 60 days; Class A carries up to one year.
A second OWI within seven years of the first conviction is a Level 6 felony. Monroe County prosecutors apply these rules consistently. Bloomington is a city with an active bar and restaurant scene, and OWI cases are a regular part of the county court docket. Felony OWI cases go through full felony procedures with arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and either a plea or trial. The sentencing range for Level 6 is six months to two and a half years. Judges have discretion within that range based on the specific facts of the case.
Aggravated OWI cases carry heavier charges. An OWI that causes serious bodily injury is a Level 5 felony. If someone dies, the charge can reach Level 4 or higher. Drug-impaired driving cases are also charged under IC 9-30-5 and may carry additional controlled substance charges depending on what was found. Monroe County courts handle all these charge types through the superior court felony divisions.
The administrative side of an OWI arrest is handled through the BMV under IC 9-30-6. A failed or refused chemical test triggers a license suspension that is independent of the criminal court case. Both processes run at the same time.
Driver Records and BMV Actions
Monroe County residents can access their official Indiana driver record at the BMV driver record portal for $4. The record shows all license suspensions, OWI-related actions, and habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9. Repeat OWI offenders may receive a habitual violator designation, which can bring a 10-year suspension.
Specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 can be granted by the Monroe County court during an active suspension. These cover essential driving -- work, school, medical appointments. The petition is filed with the court that handled your case. Forms and instructions are at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center. Getting an attorney to review the petition before you file is wise, particularly in Bloomington where OWI cases move quickly through a busy court system.
Expunging OWI Records in Monroe County
Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9 gives people the right to petition the court to restrict public access to OWI records after a waiting period. A misdemeanor OWI requires a five-year wait from the date of conviction. A Level 6 felony OWI requires eight years. The petition is filed with the Monroe County court. The prosecutor must be notified and given a chance to object before the judge rules.
Expungement restricts public access but does not wipe the record clean for law enforcement or courts. Most people seek expungement to remove the case from public databases. Not all convictions qualify, and eligibility rules are strict. A rejected petition can delay the process. Getting legal help before filing improves the odds significantly. Bloomington has multiple private attorneys who handle expungement regularly, and Indiana Legal Services may be able to help income-qualifying residents.
Legal Resources in Monroe County
Monroe County has solid legal resources given Bloomington's size. Indiana Legal Services covers southern Indiana and can assist qualifying low-income residents with post-conviction matters including expungement. The Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects people to private criminal defense attorneys in the Bloomington area. Indiana University's law school also operates clinical programs that may be able to assist with certain legal matters. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms and guides for people handling court matters on their own. Public defenders are appointed for criminal cases for those who cannot afford a lawyer -- ask the court at your first appearance.
Cities in Monroe County
Monroe County includes one qualifying city above the population threshold. OWI cases from Bloomington and all other municipalities in the county are filed and processed through the Monroe County courts.
Nearby Counties
Monroe County borders several other Indiana counties. OWI records information for adjacent counties is available through these pages.