Search Shelby County DUI Records
Shelby County DUI and OWI records are filed with the Shelby County Clerk in Shelbyville, covering this east-central Indiana county located just southeast of Indianapolis. The Shelby County courts handle OWI cases from Shelbyville and all other communities in the county, and their records are accessible through the state's online MyCase system. This page explains how to find those records, what the clerk's office provides, and how Indiana's OWI laws apply to cases filed in Shelby County.
Shelby County Quick Facts
Shelby County Clerk of Courts
The Shelby County Clerk's office is at the Shelby County Courthouse, 407 S Harrison St, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Call the clerk at 317-392-6320. The clerk maintains OWI criminal case records including charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation conditions. Shelby County sits in the east-central part of Indiana, bordered by Marion County to the west, Hancock County to the north, and Rush and Decatur counties to the east and southeast.
Because Shelby County borders the Indianapolis metro area, it sees traffic from surrounding counties and has active law enforcement on state and county roads. OWI cases originating in Shelbyville and in unincorporated parts of Shelby County are all processed through the clerk's office at the courthouse. If you want certified copies of case documents, you can request them in person during business hours. Call ahead to confirm copy fees and any forms you will need to bring or fill out. Mail requests are also available for those who cannot visit in person.
The Indiana MyCase portal provides free online access to Shelby County court records, including OWI case filings and dispositions.
The MyCase database is updated regularly and reflects current case status for OWI and other criminal matters filed in Shelby County courts.
Online DUI Record Search
The free way to search Shelby County OWI records is through the MyCase public portal. You can search by name or case number and filter results to show only Shelby County cases. The system shows charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. Most OWI records are public in Indiana unless the court has ordered them sealed or a defendant has obtained expungement.
Under IC 35-38-9, Indiana's Second Chance Law, a person convicted of a misdemeanor OWI may petition for expungement after five years from the date of conviction, if they have no new convictions and have satisfied all sentence terms. A Level 6 felony OWI expungement requires an eight-year wait. Once expunged, the record no longer appears in the public MyCase search. If a name search returns no results, it may mean no case was filed, or the record was expunged.
Indiana OWI Law and Shelby County Courts
Indiana uses OWI, not DUI, as its legal term. IC 9-30-5 defines operating while intoxicated and sets the penalties. A first offense with BAC under .15% is a Class C misdemeanor. BAC at .15% or above makes it a Class A misdemeanor, which carries harsher penalties. A second OWI within seven years of the first is a Level 6 felony.
Shelby County's circuit court handles the more serious felony-level cases. Superior courts handle misdemeanor OWI matters. Any conviction triggers license suspension under IC 9-30-6. Drivers who need to keep driving for work or to care for family can request specialized driving privileges from the court under IC 9-30-10. These court-issued privileges allow limited driving during a suspension. The Shelby County courts process these petitions, and the Indiana BMV records all suspension and reinstatement activity. You can check a driver record through the Indiana BMV portal.
Shelby County Law Enforcement Records
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Shelbyville Police Department both make OWI arrests in the county. Arrest records and incident reports from these agencies are a secondary source of OWI-related information. The Indiana State Police also patrols state roads in Shelby County and contributes OWI arrest data. ISP crash reports and arrest records can be requested through the ISP, separate from the court records held by the clerk.
Legal Resources for Shelby County
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers free general legal information for people navigating the court system without an attorney. If you need representation or legal advice specific to your OWI case, the Indiana State Bar Association has a referral service that can connect you with local attorneys. Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to eligible lower-income residents and may be able to assist with questions about court records, expungement eligibility, or related matters.
The clerk's office staff can explain the record request process and tell you what documents are on file. They do not give legal advice, but they can tell you what is available and how to get it.
Habitual Offenders and Repeat OWI Cases
Shelby County courts apply Indiana's habitual traffic violator rules under IC 9-30-9 to drivers with multiple OWI or serious traffic offenses. A habitual traffic violator designation results in a longer and more serious license suspension. These records also appear in the BMV driver history. If a case in Shelby County involves a habitual offender allegation, it will be noted in the court record and will be visible through MyCase. Prosecutors in Shelby County consider prior OWI history when determining charges and plea agreements for repeat offenders.
Cities in Shelby County
Shelby County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Shelbyville is the county seat and principal city. All OWI court cases from Shelby County communities are handled by the Shelby County courts in Shelbyville.