Find Wells County DUI Records
Wells County DUI and OWI records are filed and maintained by the Wells County Clerk in Bluffton, covering this northeastern Indiana county. The Wells County courts process OWI cases from Bluffton and all communities throughout the county, with records available through Indiana's MyCase system and from the clerk's office at the courthouse. This page explains how to search those records, what the clerk provides, and how Indiana's OWI laws apply to cases filed in Wells County courts.
Wells County Quick Facts
Wells County Clerk of Courts
The Wells County Clerk's office is at the Wells County Courthouse, 102 W Market St, Bluffton, IN 46714. Call the clerk at 260-824-6570. The clerk maintains all official court records for Wells County's circuit and superior courts, including OWI criminal case files. Records include charging documents, case histories, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation conditions. Wells County sits in northeastern Indiana, bordered by Allen County to the north, Adams County to the east, Huntington County to the west, and Grant and Blackford counties to the south. Bluffton is the county seat and the commercial hub of the county.
All OWI cases originating in Wells County, whether in Bluffton or rural parts of the county, are processed through the clerk's office at the courthouse. For certified copies of case documents, you can visit in person during regular business hours or submit a mail request. Call the clerk at 260-824-6570 before your visit to confirm current fees, required forms, and office hours. The clerk's staff can tell you what records exist and how to request them, though they cannot provide legal advice.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides free guidance on navigating Indiana courts and requesting court records from county clerks like Wells County.
The Self-Service Legal Center is a useful resource for understanding how to request Wells County OWI records, what your rights are as a record requester, and what options exist if you need to petition for expungement.
Online Record Search
The MyCase public portal covers Wells County and lets you search OWI records by name or case number at no charge. Filter results to Wells County to narrow your search. The system shows charges, hearing dates, case status, and dispositions for publicly available criminal cases. Most OWI records filed in Wells County are public and visible through MyCase unless they have been sealed or expunged.
Under Indiana's Second Chance Law at IC 35-38-9, eligible OWI defendants may petition for expungement. Misdemeanor OWI convictions become eligible after five years; Level 6 felony OWI convictions require eight years. All sentence conditions must be complete and no new convictions may have occurred during the waiting period. Once the court grants expungement, the record is removed from the public search. The Indiana Courts Public Records portal explains what types of records are public across Indiana.
OWI Law in Wells County
Indiana uses OWI rather than DUI as its official charge. IC 9-30-5 governs operating while intoxicated. A first OWI with BAC below .15% is a Class C misdemeanor. A first offense at .15% BAC or above is a Class A misdemeanor. A second OWI within seven years of a prior conviction becomes a Level 6 felony. Wells County's circuit court handles felony OWI cases; the superior court handles misdemeanors.
An OWI conviction in Wells County triggers license suspension under IC 9-30-6. Defendants can petition for specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-10 if they need to keep driving during the suspension. Repeat offenders may face habitual traffic violator status under IC 9-30-9, with the Indiana BMV maintaining driver records that reflect all OWI-related suspension and reinstatement activity.
Law Enforcement in Wells County
The Wells County Sheriff's Office handles OWI enforcement across the county's rural roads and unincorporated areas. The Bluffton Police Department covers OWI enforcement within the city. The Indiana State Police patrols US-27 and SR-124 through Wells County. All OWI arrests by any agency in the county result in cases filed in Wells County courts and tracked through the clerk's office.
ISP arrest records and incident reports can be requested from the Indiana State Police separately from the court records the clerk holds. Court records show the case history from charging through final disposition. ISP records document the stop, arrest, and investigation.
Legal Help in Wells County
For professional legal advice about an OWI case in Wells County, the Indiana State Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. Indiana Legal Services may help eligible lower-income residents with court record questions, expungement eligibility, or related civil legal matters at no charge. The clerk's office in Bluffton can answer process questions and explain what records are on file.
Cities in Wells County
Wells County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Bluffton is the county seat and largest city. All OWI court cases from Wells County communities are handled by the county courts in Bluffton.