Access Orange County DUI Records
Orange County DUI and OWI records are filed at the Orange County Circuit and Superior Courts in Paoli and are available for public search through Indiana's MyCase portal. This page explains how to search those records, what information they contain, how Indiana's OWI statutes apply to Orange County cases, and what resources exist for people dealing with OWI charges or older convictions in this southern Indiana county.
Orange County Quick Facts
Searching DUI Records in Orange County
Indiana maintains a statewide public case search tool called MyCase that covers all county courts, including Orange County. You search by name or case number and the system returns matching criminal case records. OWI filings appear under criminal categories. Each case listing shows the charges, filing date, scheduled hearings, and final disposition.
Orange County has a Circuit Court and a Superior Court, both located at the courthouse in Paoli. The circuit and superior courts follow regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. OWI felony cases typically land in Circuit Court while misdemeanor cases may be assigned to either court depending on caseload. MyCase searches both courts at once.
For records that do not appear online, call the Clerk at 812-723-2649 or go to the Orange County Courthouse at 205 E Main St, Paoli. Certified copies are available in person with a per-page fee. The state's access guide at in.gov/courts/public-records explains what is public and what is restricted.
Orange County Official Website
Orange County's official website at orangecounty.in.gov provides access to county departments including the Clerk, Circuit Court, Superior Court, Sheriff, and Prosecutor. The site is shown below:
The county site links directly to court department contact information, which is useful if you need to reach the Clerk or Prosecutor's office about an OWI case.
Indiana OWI Law and Orange County Courts
Indiana law uses OWI — operating while intoxicated — rather than DUI. The main statute is IC 9-30-5. A first-time OWI with a BAC under .15% is a Class C misdemeanor. At .15% or higher, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor with harsher penalties. A second OWI within seven years escalates to a Level 6 felony. The charge level shows clearly in the case record on MyCase and tells you a lot about what happened in the case.
Orange County courts deal with OWI arrests from multiple law enforcement agencies — the Orange County Sheriff, Paoli Police Department, and Indiana State Police all make OWI stops in the county. The prosecuting attorney's office at the Orange County Courthouse handles all criminal charges regardless of which agency made the arrest.
The county's departments also include Community Corrections, Probation, and Emergency Management — all relevant if you are tracking what happened after an OWI conviction. Probation and community corrections records are generally not public in the same way court records are, but the sentencing order in the court file will indicate if a defendant was placed on probation or community corrections supervision.
License Actions and Driver Records
A conviction in Orange County triggers BMV action under IC 9-30-6. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles handles all license suspensions, reinstatements, and restrictions that flow from OWI convictions. These actions are separate from the criminal court record. An Official Driver Record from the BMV costs $4 and is available through the BMV driver record request page.
Habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9 is another consequence for repeat OWI offenders. An HTV designation can result in a 10-year suspension. Drivers can petition for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 even during suspension — for commuting, medical needs, or court-approved purposes. The petition goes to Orange County Circuit Court, and the order, if granted, becomes part of the public case file.
Expungement of OWI Records
Indiana's Second Chance Law under IC 35-38-9 allows eligible people to petition for expungement of OWI convictions. Misdemeanor OWI has a five-year waiting period. Level 6 felony OWI has an eight-year waiting period. Cases involving a death or serious bodily injury to another person are not eligible for expungement.
After expungement is granted, the case is sealed from most public searches. MyCase will no longer display it. If you search Orange County records and cannot find a case you know existed, expungement may be the explanation. Law enforcement retains access to expunged records even after sealing.
Forms and filing instructions are at in.gov/courts/selfservice. People who cannot afford an attorney may qualify for help from Indiana Legal Services.
What the Court Record Shows
An OWI case file in Orange County contains the charging information document (which specifies the statute and facts alleged), the probable cause affidavit from the arresting officer, any motions filed by defense or prosecution, the plea agreement or jury verdict, and the sentencing order. The sentencing order is the most detailed document — it lists jail time, fines, probation length, alcohol treatment requirements, and license suspension terms.
MyCase shows the high-level summary. To see the actual documents, you have to visit the Orange County Courthouse in person or submit a written request to the Clerk. Some documents may be in the process of being scanned and not yet available electronically even if the case appears in MyCase.
Legal Help in Orange County
The Indiana State Bar's lawyer referral service at inbar.org can connect people in Orange County with local criminal defense attorneys experienced in OWI matters. The Orange County Prosecutor's office, located at the courthouse in Paoli, handles all OWI prosecutions. The Sheriff's office handles jail administration for those serving sentences on OWI convictions.
The Indiana courts trial courts directory lists current contact information for Orange County's courts, including hours and judge assignments. If you are trying to find a specific court date or need to speak with court staff, that directory is a reliable starting point.
Indiana Legal Services at indianalegalservices.org offers civil legal assistance and may help with expungement petitions for qualifying residents of Orange County.
Cities and Towns in Orange County
Orange County has no cities above the 100,000-population threshold that qualify for dedicated record pages. Paoli is the county seat and largest community. West Baden Springs, French Lick, Orleans, and Paoli are among the towns in the county. All DUI and OWI case filings from anywhere in Orange County — regardless of which town or township the arrest occurred in — are processed at the Orange County Courthouse at 205 E Main St, Paoli. That courthouse handles all criminal filings for the county.