Washington County DUI Records
Washington County DUI and OWI records are filed and maintained by the Washington County Clerk in Salem, covering this southern Indiana county bordered by Clark, Scott, Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Crawford, Harrison, and Floyd counties. The Washington County courts handle OWI cases from Salem and all communities in the county, with records available through Indiana's MyCase system and the clerk's office at the courthouse. This page explains how to search those records and what Indiana law says about OWI cases filed in Washington County.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Courts
The Washington County Clerk's office is at the Washington County Courthouse, 99 W Public Square, Salem, IN 47167. Call the clerk at 812-883-5748. The clerk maintains all official court records for Washington County, including OWI criminal case files. Records on file include charging documents, case histories, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation conditions. Salem is the county seat and serves as the hub for all court activity in Washington County.
Washington County sits in southern Indiana, a region with US-150 and SR-60 running through it. These roads see both local and through traffic, contributing to OWI enforcement activity in the county. All OWI arrests made in Washington County, by any agency, result in cases filed in the county's courts and maintained by the clerk. To request certified copies of case documents, visit the clerk during business hours or send a mail request. Call 812-883-5748 ahead of time to confirm current fees, required identification, and hours.
The Indiana Trial Courts directory provides contact information and jurisdiction details for Washington County's circuit and superior courts.
The trial courts directory helps confirm which court in Washington County has jurisdiction over an OWI case and provides the most current contact details for the clerk's office in Salem.
Online DUI Record Search
The MyCase public portal covers Washington County. Search by name or case number and filter to Washington County to find OWI cases. The system shows charges, hearing dates, case status, and dispositions for publicly available court records. Most OWI cases filed in Washington County courts are public and visible through MyCase unless sealed or expunged.
Indiana's Second Chance Law at IC 35-38-9 lets eligible OWI defendants petition for expungement after five years for a misdemeanor conviction and after eight years for a Level 6 felony OWI. All sentence conditions must be satisfied and no new convictions may have occurred during the waiting period. Once the court grants expungement, the record is removed from public view. The Indiana Courts Public Records portal has general guidance on public record access across all Indiana counties.
OWI Law in Washington County
Indiana charges impaired driving as Operating While Intoxicated under IC 9-30-5. A first OWI with BAC below .15% is a Class C misdemeanor. A first offense at .15% or above is a Class A misdemeanor. A second OWI within seven years of a prior conviction is a Level 6 felony. Washington County's circuit court handles felony-level cases; the superior court handles misdemeanor OWI matters.
An OWI conviction triggers license suspension under IC 9-30-6. Defendants can petition for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 if they need to continue driving for work or family. Multiple OWI or serious traffic offenses can result in habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9, with longer suspensions tracked by the Indiana BMV.
Law Enforcement and Secondary Records
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Salem Police Department handle OWI enforcement. The Indiana State Police patrols state roads in Washington County and makes OWI arrests that are prosecuted in the county courts. ISP records can be requested from the Indiana State Police and are separate from the court case records the clerk maintains.
Washington County's proximity to the Clark and Floyd County metro areas near Louisville means that US-150 and related corridors see significant traffic. Law enforcement is active on these routes. All OWI arrests in Washington County are filed in the county courts regardless of which agency made the arrest.
Legal Resources
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides free general guidance for navigating Indiana's court system. The Indiana State Bar Association can refer you to attorneys handling OWI cases in Washington County. Indiana Legal Services may help eligible residents with court record questions or expungement petitions at no charge.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Salem is the county seat and largest municipality. All OWI court cases from Washington County communities are handled by the county courts in Salem.