Allen County Criminal Records
What Is Allen County Criminal Records
Allen County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Allen County, Indiana. These records are maintained pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, which governs public records in the state. Criminal records encompass a comprehensive array of documentation related to criminal activities, investigations, arrests, court proceedings, and outcomes.
Criminal records in Allen County are categorized into several distinct types:
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Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement agencies, including the Allen County Sheriff's Department or Fort Wayne Police Department. These records include the date, location, and charges associated with the arrest.
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Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases that resulted in a guilty verdict or plea. These records are maintained by the Allen County Clerk's Office and are generally accessible to the public.
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Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes that typically carry penalties of imprisonment exceeding one year. In Indiana, felonies are classified from Level 1 (most severe) to Level 6 (least severe).
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Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses that generally carry maximum penalties of up to one year in county jail. These are also maintained by the Allen County courts.
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Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by individuals under 18 years of age. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-39-8-1, these records are typically sealed and not available to the public.
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Warrant Information: Records of active warrants issued by Allen Superior Court or Allen Circuit Court for individuals who have failed to appear in court or are wanted for criminal offenses.
The primary agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Allen County include:
Allen County Sheriff's Department
715 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7535
Allen County Sheriff's Department
Allen County Clerk's Office
715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7245
Allen County Clerk's Office
Allen Superior Court
715 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7681
Allen Superior Court
Criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process, from initial charges through final disposition, including arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and probation or parole details.
Are Criminal Records Public In Allen County
Criminal records in Allen County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), specifically under Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act states in § 5-14-3-1: "A fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government is that government is the servant of the people and not their master. Accordingly, it is the public policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees."
However, not all criminal record information is publicly accessible. The following categories of criminal records in Allen County have restricted access:
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Ongoing Investigations: Records related to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under § 5-14-3-4(b)(1) until the investigation is concluded.
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Juvenile Records: As stipulated in Indiana Code § 31-39-3-4, juvenile records are confidential and accessible only to specific parties such as the juvenile, parents, guardians, attorneys, and authorized government agencies.
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Expunged or Sealed Records: Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9 are not available to the public. This includes certain convictions after specified waiting periods, depending on the offense level.
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Certain Personal Information: Information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifying information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy.
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Grand Jury Proceedings: Information presented to a grand jury is confidential under Indiana law.
Records that are typically available to the public include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court case information for adult criminal proceedings
- Conviction records
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
The Allen County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian of court records, while the Allen County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest and incarceration records. Both agencies provide public access to these records in accordance with state law.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records must submit requests to the appropriate agency, which must respond within specified timeframes as mandated by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and searching records as permitted under § 5-14-3-8.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Allen County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to look up criminal records in Allen County may utilize several methods to access this information. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the maintaining agency. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:
In-Person Requests
Individuals may request criminal records by visiting the appropriate agency in person:
Allen County Clerk's Office
715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7245
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Allen County Clerk's Office
To request court records in person:
- Complete a public records request form available at the clerk's office
- Provide specific information about the case or individual (full name, date of birth, case number if known)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $1.00 per page for regular copies)
Allen County Sheriff's Department
715 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7535
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Allen County Sheriff's Department
For criminal history checks and arrest records:
- Complete the Criminal History Request form
- Provide the subject's full name and date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay the required fee (currently $15 per name search)
Fort Wayne Police Department
1 E. Main Street, Suite 108
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 427-1222
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Criminal History Request
Written Requests
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate agency. Requests should include:
- Full name and date of birth of the subject
- Specific information being requested
- Requestor's contact information
- Check or money order for applicable fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents
Electronic Requests
The Allen County Clerk's Office accepts public records requests via their online portal. Users must:
- Create an account or log in to the system
- Complete the electronic request form
- Provide specific case information
- Pay any applicable fees using a credit card
For court records, the Indiana Courts Online Portal provides access to case information from Allen County courts. Users can search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Attorney name
- Citation number
The Allen County Sheriff's Department offers an online inmate lookup for current jail inmates. This service is free and updated regularly.
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9(b), agencies must respond to requests within seven calendar days for in-person requests and within seven business days for requests received by mail or electronic means.
How To Find Criminal Records in Allen County Online?
Allen County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of information available online may be more limited than records obtained directly from government offices.
Indiana Courts Online Portal (myCase)
The Indiana Courts Online Portal serves as the primary resource for accessing court case information from Allen County courts. This system provides:
- Case summaries for criminal, civil, and traffic cases
- Party information
- Chronological case summaries
- Scheduled hearings and events
- Case outcomes and dispositions
- Financial information related to cases
To use this system:
- Navigate to the myCase portal
- Select "Allen County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Review search results and select specific cases for detailed information
No registration is required for basic searches, though creating an account provides additional features such as saved searches and notifications.
Allen County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup
The Allen County Sheriff's Department maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information about individuals currently incarcerated in the Allen County Jail. This database includes:
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Booking date
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release date (when available)
This resource is updated daily and is accessible without registration or fees.
Allen County Clerk's Electronic Records
The Allen County Clerk's Office provides an online portal for accessing certain court records. While not all documents are available electronically, the system offers:
- Case status information
- Party information
- Hearing schedules
- Document indexes
Some documents may require in-person requests due to confidentiality restrictions or technical limitations.
Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry includes information about registered sex offenders residing in Allen County. Users can search by:
- Name
- Address/location
- Zip code
- County
This registry provides offender photos, addresses, conviction information, and compliance status.
Limitations of Online Records
Users should be aware of several limitations when accessing Allen County criminal records online:
- Not all court documents are available electronically
- Older cases (generally pre-2000) may have limited online information
- Sealed, expunged, or juvenile records are not accessible online
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from online records
- Technical issues may occasionally affect system availability
For comprehensive criminal history information, the Fort Wayne Police Department recommends submitting a formal criminal history request rather than relying solely on online resources.
Online access to criminal records is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(e), which permits agencies to provide enhanced access to public records through electronic means.
Can You Search Allen County Criminal Records for Free?
Allen County residents and other interested parties have several options for accessing criminal records without charge, though certain limitations apply to free searches. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8(c) establishes that "the right to inspect and copy public records under section 3 of this chapter includes the right to inspect and copy a public record without charge."
Free In-Person Inspection
Pursuant to Indiana law, individuals may inspect public records, including most criminal records, without charge at the following locations:
Allen County Clerk's Office
715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7245
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Allen County Clerk's Office
Allen Superior Court
715 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7681
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Allen Superior Court
While inspection is free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for:
- Copies of records (typically $1.00 per page)
- Certification of documents
- Staff time for searching for records (for commercial requests)
- Electronic media for digital copies
Free Online Resources
Several online resources provide free access to certain criminal record information:
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Indiana Courts Online Portal (myCase): The public access portal for Allen County courts offers free searches of court cases, including criminal matters. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number without registration or fees.
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Allen County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup: The Sheriff's Department maintains a free online database of current jail inmates, including booking information and charges.
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Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry: This statewide database provides free access to information about registered sex offenders residing in Allen County.
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Allen County Clerk's Online Records: Basic case information is available through the Clerk's Office website without charge, though document access may require fees.
Limitations of Free Searches
Free access to criminal records in Allen County is subject to certain limitations:
- Records that are exempt from disclosure under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 are not available for free inspection
- Juvenile records are generally not accessible to the public
- Sealed or expunged records are not available
- Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Fort Wayne Police Department require payment of established fees
- Some specialized searches or certified copies require payment of statutory fees
Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8(f) specifically allows agencies to charge a reasonable fee for providing enhanced access to public records, which may apply to certain online services or specialized database searches.
For individuals seeking the most comprehensive free access, in-person inspection at the appropriate agency remains the most effective option, though this requires personal time and transportation to the facility during business hours.
What's Included in a Allen County Criminal Record?
Allen County criminal records contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with Indiana state requirements and typically includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., Allen County Sheriff's Department, Fort Wayne Police)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest with corresponding Indiana statute citations
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility location
- Arresting officer information
Court Case Information
- Case number assigned by the Allen County Clerk's Office
- Court jurisdiction (Allen Superior Court or Allen Circuit Court)
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Classification of charges (felony levels 1-6 or misdemeanor classes A-C)
- Plea information
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Pre-trial hearing dates and outcomes
- Trial information (if applicable)
Disposition and Sentencing
- Final verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms (length and facility)
- Probation requirements and duration
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
- Completion of sentence information
Additional Information
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Habitual offender status
- DUI/OWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history references
Criminal records maintained by the Allen County courts are subject to Indiana's record-keeping standards as established in Administrative Rule 7, which governs court records retention. The completeness of records may vary based on the age of the case and the specific agencies involved in the criminal proceedings.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Medical information
- Information about victims of certain crimes
- Information about confidential informants
For the most comprehensive criminal history information, the Fort Wayne Police Department recommends submitting a formal criminal history request rather than relying on individual case records.
How Long Does Allen County Keep Criminal Records?
Allen County maintains criminal records in accordance with Indiana's records retention schedules, which are established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-15-5.1-5. These schedules dictate the minimum periods for which various types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
The retention periods for criminal records in Allen County vary based on the record type, severity of the offense, and maintaining agency:
Court Records Retention
The Allen County Clerk's Office and Allen Superior Court maintain court records according to the following schedule:
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Felony Case Files:
- Murder cases: Permanent retention
- Level 1-5 felonies: 55 years after final disposition
- Level 6 felonies: 20 years after final disposition
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Misdemeanor Case Files:
- Class A and B misdemeanors: 10 years after final disposition
- Class C misdemeanors: 5 years after final disposition
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Criminal Docket Books: Permanent retention
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Judgment Dockets: 20 years after final entry
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Grand Jury Records: Permanent retention for indictments; 10 years for records where no indictment was issued
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Probation Records: 7 years after discharge from probation
Law Enforcement Records Retention
The Allen County Sheriff's Department and Fort Wayne Police Department maintain records according to these guidelines:
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Arrest Records:
- Felony arrests: 10 years after arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: 5 years after arrest
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Incident Reports:
- Major crimes (homicide, rape, etc.): Permanent retention
- Other felonies: 10 years
- Misdemeanors: 5 years
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Booking Photos and Fingerprints:
- Felonies: 75 years
- Misdemeanors: 15 years
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Jail Records: 10 years after release from incarceration
Special Considerations
Certain criminal records are subject to different retention requirements:
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Juvenile Records: May be destroyed when the subject reaches 19 years of age if no felony charges were filed, or at age 21 for most other cases, pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-39-8-2.
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Expunged Records: Following a court order for expungement under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, records must be sealed or destroyed according to the specific provisions of the expungement order.
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Sex Offender Registry Information: Maintained for the duration of the registration requirement, which may be 10 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on the offense.
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DNA Records: Maintained indefinitely unless expungement is ordered by a court.
It is important to note that while these retention schedules establish minimum requirements, many records—particularly those related to serious offenses—are maintained for longer periods or permanently. Additionally, even after physical records are destroyed, summary information may be retained in electronic databases maintained by state and federal agencies.
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration conducts regular audits to ensure compliance with retention schedules as required by Indiana Administrative Code Title 60, Article 2.
Lookup Criminal Records in Allen County
Allen County Sheriff's Department