Court records in Howard County, Indiana are maintained by the Howard County Clerk's office and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and in-person visits. HowardINCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Howard County. You can also use the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search, the Indiana Judicial Branch's Howard County Courts page, or contact the Clerk's office directly for records not available online.
Howard County Court System Overview
Howard County is part of Indiana's unified trial court system. The county seat is Kokomo, where all county-level courts are housed in the Howard County Courthouse. Howard County's court system includes a Circuit Court, which has general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases and exclusive jurisdiction over all juvenile cases. The county also has Superior Courts that share jurisdiction over a range of civil, criminal, and family matters. All filings must be submitted to the Office of the Howard County Clerk, which serves as the official custodian of court records. The courthouse is located in downtown Kokomo.
Courts Serving Howard County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Circuit Court | 104 N. Buckeye Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 | (765) 456-2204 |
| Howard Superior Court 1 | 104 N. Buckeye Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 | (765) 456-2204 |
| Howard Superior Court 2 | 104 N. Buckeye Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 | (765) 456-2204 |
| Howard Superior Court 3 | 104 N. Buckeye Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 | (765) 456-2204 |
| Kokomo City Court | 100 S. Union Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 | (765) 456-7380 |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis Division) | 46 E. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 | (317) 229-3700 |
Howard County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Federal bankruptcy matters are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis.
What Types of Cases Howard County Courts Hear
Howard County courts handle a wide range of case types across the Circuit Court, Superior Courts, and Kokomo City Court. These include:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Infractions and ordinance violations
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate — decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) cases
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Traffic violations
The specific court or division assigned to a case depends on the case type and the local case-assignment rules. Details on each category follow below.
District Court Cases in Howard County
In Indiana, the term "district court" applies to the federal level. At the state level, the Howard Circuit Court functions as the court of general jurisdiction. The Circuit Court hears felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and appeals from lower tribunals. It also has exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile matters in Howard County. Cases typically arrive at the Circuit Court through direct filing, grand jury indictment, or transfer from a Superior Court division. Judges are assigned cases based on local rules and caseload distribution. Post-conviction relief proceedings and certain complex civil matters are also handled at this level. For federal cases involving Howard County residents, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis has jurisdiction.
Magistrate Court Cases in Howard County
Indiana does not use a separate "magistrate court" system in the same way some states do. Instead, Howard County Superior Courts handle many of the case types commonly associated with magistrate divisions in other states. These include:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Infractions and traffic violations
- Small claims (up to $10,000 under Indiana law)
- Civil cases within the court's jurisdictional limits
- Initial hearings and arraignments, including DUI cases
- Protective order petitions
Under Indiana law, small claims courts have jurisdiction over disputes up to $10,000. The Howard County Superior Courts may assign commissioners or magistrates to preside over specific dockets, such as small claims or traffic, depending on volume. You can pay traffic citations or court fines online through Howard County's services portal.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Howard County
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights cases are generally filed in the Howard County Superior Courts. Protective order petitions can typically be filed at the Clerk's office without an attorney. All family law filings go through the Howard County Clerk.
Probate
Probate matters — including decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust disputes — are heard in the Howard County courts. The Clerk's office maintains probate case files and can provide information on filing requirements and fees.
Juvenile
The Howard Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all juvenile cases, including juvenile delinquency proceedings and Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases. Juvenile records are confidential under Indiana law and are not available through public case search tools. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly for questions about juvenile proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Howard County Court System
- Filing / Initiation: A case begins when a criminal complaint, civil complaint, or petition is filed with the Howard County Clerk's office. Criminal cases may also be initiated by arrest or grand jury indictment.
- Case Assignment: The Clerk assigns the case to a specific court and judge based on local rules and case type.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants appear for an initial hearing or arraignment. Civil cases receive a scheduling conference or initial case management order.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Both sides exchange information through discovery, file motions, and — in criminal cases — may negotiate plea agreements. Civil cases may involve mediation.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases are resolved by plea agreement, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases proceed to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from Howard County courts go to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Howard County
Howard County courts are administered under the Indiana Judicial Branch. Each court has a presiding judge, and the Howard County Clerk manages case filings, records, and fee collection. You can find court contact information and local resources through the Howard County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website.
Local Rules
Local court rules for Howard County govern filing procedures, motion practice, and courtroom conduct. These rules are typically available through the Indiana Judicial Branch website or by contacting the Clerk's office.
Public Access
Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, court records are generally accessible to the public unless specifically excluded — such as juvenile records, certain mental health records, adoption records, and records sealed by court order. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains what is available and how to request documents not found online. If a document is not available through the online case search, contact the Clerk's office in Howard County directly.
Attending Hearings
Most hearings in Howard County are open to the public. Some proceedings may be available via remote video or telephone — ask the Clerk's office or check with the assigned court about remote attendance options for your specific case.
Clerk's Office Contact
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Howard County
- Court Case Search: Use MyCase, Indiana's statewide case search tool, to look up case information, docket entries, and hearing dates for Howard County courts.
- Court Date Lookup and Online Payments: The Howard County Services page offers links to check active warrants, look up court dates, pay traffic citations, and pay court fines and fees.
- E-Filing: Cases can be electronically filed through the Howard County Courts portal on the Indiana Judicial Branch website.
- Clerk's Office and Public Records Requests: For certified copies or records not available online, contact the Howard County Clerk at the courthouse. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains the request process.
- Property and Land Records: The Howard County Recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, and other property transaction records. An online records search is available.
- Active Warrants: The Howard County Sheriff's Office warrants page lists currently active warrants.
- Current Inmates: Search current inmates at the Howard County Jail through the Sheriff's Office website.
- Indiana Department of Correction — Incarcerated Search: Use the IDOC Incarcerated Database Search to locate individuals in state custody.
- Indiana SAVIN (Victim Notification): Register for automated notifications about an offender's custody status through Indiana SAVIN.
- Indiana Sex Offender Registry: Search the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry for registrants in Howard County.
- Sheriff's Office: The Howard County Sheriff's Office handles public records requests, sheriff sales, and law enforcement services for the county.