Criminal records in Howard County, Indiana, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. HowardINCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Howard County. Additional access points include the Indiana statewide court case search portal, the Howard County Sheriff's Office, and the Howard County Clerk's office, where official court documents are filed and maintained.
How to Search Criminal Records in Howard County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Howard County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official copy or just want to review case details.
Online Search Options
- HowardINCourt.us — Search for publicly available Howard County criminal court record information by name or case number.
- MyCase Indiana — The statewide court case search portal operated by the Indiana Supreme Court. You can look up criminal cases filed in Howard County courts by entering a party name, case number, or attorney name. Results typically include charges, case status, scheduled hearings, and disposition information.
- Howard County Sheriff's Office – Current Inmates — View individuals currently booked into the Howard County Jail, including booking date, arresting agency, and inmate ID.
- Howard County Sheriff's Office – Active Warrants — Check the list of active warrants issued in Howard County, which includes physical descriptions and offense information.
- Indiana Department of Correction – Incarcerated Search — Search for individuals currently incarcerated in an Indiana state facility by name.
- Indiana SAVIN — Search for offenders and register for automated victim notification alerts regarding custody status changes.
In Person
Visit the Howard County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Kokomo. Public access terminals or assistance from clerk staff may be available to search case records. All criminal case filings in Howard County are submitted through the Office of the Howard County Clerk.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal case records to the Howard County Clerk's office. Include as much identifying information as possible:
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Specific records requested
For a formal Indiana criminal history check, requests can also be directed to the Indiana State Police Central Records Division. If a document is not available online, the Indiana Judicial Branch public records page recommends contacting the clerk's office in the county where the case was heard.
Search Howard County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Indiana uses a standardized case number format across all courts. Understanding the format helps you search more efficiently on MyCase or at the clerk's office.
A typical Indiana case number looks like this: 34D01-2301-F6-000123
- 34 — County code (34 is the code for Howard County)
- D01 — Court identifier (D01 refers to Superior Court Division 1; C01 would indicate Circuit Court)
- 2301 — Year and month of filing (2023, January)
- F6 — Case type code (F6 = Level 6 Felony; CM = Criminal Misdemeanor; IF = Infraction; FA = Class A Felony, etc.)
- 000123 — Sequential case number
If you have a case number, enter it directly into MyCase for the fastest results. The case type code tells you the severity of the charge before you even open the record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Howard County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Indiana Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., IC 35-42-1-1 for murder) |
| Charge level | Felony levels 1–6, Class A–D felony (older cases), misdemeanor classes A–C, or infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecution may amend charges up or down as the case progresses; both original and amended charges typically appear in the record |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — A final judgment or outcome has been entered
- Closed — All matters in the case are concluded, including any post-disposition obligations
Hearing Types
- Initial hearing / Arraignment — Charges are read; defendant enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — Court determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, plea negotiations, or scheduling
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Court checks compliance with probation, treatment, or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Withheld judgment — Court defers judgment, often tied to a diversion or probation program
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Howard County
Certified copies of criminal case documents carry an official court seal and can be used for legal, employment, or licensing purposes. In Howard County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of all court records.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Howard County Clerk's office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Request the specific document(s) you need and pay applicable fees at the time of your visit.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk's office with the case number, document description, your return address, and a check or money order for the fees. Include a copy of your photo ID if the request involves restricted records.
- Online — Some documents may be available through the Howard County online services portal. However, certified copies generally require an in-person or mail request.
State Criminal History Checks
For a comprehensive Indiana criminal history report (not limited to Howard County), submit a request to the Indiana State Police Central Records Division. These checks may require fingerprint submission and are commonly used for employment screening and professional licensing.
Contact Information
Howard County Clerk's Office
Howard County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Howard County
Fees for criminal record copies in Indiana are governed by IC 33-37-5 and local fee schedules. The following are standard fees that apply in Indiana courts, including Howard County:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 (certification fee, plus per-page copy charges) |
| Court record search fee | Varies; contact the Clerk's office |
| Indiana State Police criminal history check (limited) | $16.32 |
| Indiana State Police criminal history check (fingerprint-based / national) | $29.00+ |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within 1–3 business days
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- State criminal history checks — Limited checks may return within a few business days; fingerprint-based checks can take 2–4 weeks
Contact the Howard County Clerk's office directly to confirm current fees and processing times, as they may be updated periodically. Payment methods accepted in person typically include cash, check, or money order. Verify whether credit or debit cards are accepted before your visit.