Sullivan County Public Records / Sullivan County Arrest Records

Sullivan County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Sullivan County in 2026

SullivanCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records, booking data, and associated court filings in Sullivan County, Indiana. Members of the public may find booking photographs, charge information, custody status, bond amounts, and case numbers through official government sources. Record categories available through these channels include arrest logs, sheriff's booking records, court case filings, criminal history searches, and incarcerated person lookups.

Arrest records in Sullivan County may be searched through the Sheriff's Office, the Sullivan County Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, and several online tools maintained by state and county agencies. The following resources are available to members of the public seeking arrest-related information.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest records for individuals processed through the county jail. Members of the public may submit requests for reports through the Sheriff's Office records division. The Obtaining Reports page on the county website provides instructions for requesting incident and arrest reports; requestors are advised to provide as much identifying information as possible, including the subject's full name, date of arrest, and booking number if known. Records are updated as new bookings occur and as case statuses change.

2. Local Police Departments

The Sullivan Police Department serves the City of Sullivan and handles arrests within city limits. Arrest logs and press releases containing arrest information may be available through the department's public information function. Requestors seeking records from city-level arrests should direct inquiries to the Sullivan Police Department in addition to the Sheriff's Office, as jurisdiction determines which agency holds the primary arrest record.

Sullivan Police Department
100 W. Washington St.
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4471

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Court cases arising from arrests in Sullivan County are filed with the Sullivan County Clerk of Courts. Members of the public may search case records through the Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal, which provides access to case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case dispositions. Searching by the arrestee's name will return associated criminal case filings linked to the underlying arrest.

Sullivan County Clerk of Courts
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4657

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Indiana State Police maintains a Limited Criminal History Search tool available to the public through the IN.gov portal. This database contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. A fee of $16.32 per search is currently assessed for public requestors. The search returns arrest and disposition information from all Indiana jurisdictions, making it a comprehensive resource for statewide criminal history review.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4016
Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Fees for copies of records are assessed per page; the current standard rate under Indiana law is $0.10 per page for standard copies.

Sullivan County Jail:

Sullivan County Jail
77 E. Justice Dr.
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4016
Sullivan County Jail

Clerk of Court:

Sullivan County Clerk of Courts
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4657

The Clerk's office maintains criminal case files open to public inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copy fees apply for reproductions of case documents.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office at 100 Courthouse Square, Sullivan, IN 47882. Each request should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of birth, date of arrest if known, booking number if available, and the requestor's return mailing address. Payment for copy fees should accompany the request. Processing time varies but is typically completed within seven to ten business days for standard requests.

By Phone:

The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (812) 268-4016. Staff can provide limited information by phone, including custody status and general booking information. Requestors are advised to have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Detailed records and certified copies require an in-person visit or written request.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated investigative materials through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access channels. In active legal proceedings, defense counsel may obtain police reports, witness statements, and evidence inventories through the discovery process governed by the Indiana Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, city police, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Sullivan County

Arrest records in Sullivan County are public records under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified at Ind. Code § 5-14-3, which establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records of government agencies. Arrest records are treated as public because they document the exercise of government authority over individuals and serve the interests of transparency, public safety, community awareness, journalistic inquiry, legal proceedings, and background screening.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Certain categories of arrest information are restricted from public disclosure under Indiana law. Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to Ind. Code § 31-39-1-2, which limits access to records of persons arrested as minors. Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order. Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality. Information related to active investigations, undercover officer identities, confidential informant identities, and victim-identifying information in certain cases is also withheld from public disclosure.

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Indiana's public records framework reflects a balance between governmental transparency and individual privacy. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution supports press access to arrest information as a matter of public concern. Due process considerations inform the distinction between an arrest, which reflects probable cause, and a conviction, which reflects a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Arrest records do not establish guilt, and their public availability is accompanied by this legal context.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable housing discrimination laws
Licensing agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The FCRA governs the use of arrest records in employment and tenant screening contexts. Employers using third-party background check services must comply with FCRA notice and adverse action requirements. Indiana does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain local ordinances may apply. The distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant; an arrest without a resulting conviction carries no presumption of guilt and its use in adverse employment or housing decisions may be subject to legal challenge.

What's in Sullivan County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, city police department, Indiana State Police, or other)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed
Indiana statute numbers alleged to have been violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony level or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation where applicable
Gang-related designation where applicable

Booking Information:

Name and location of booking facility
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Release date and time if the individual has been released
Release conditions where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques or methods
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in the booking record
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Aggregate information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Sullivan County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Sullivan County depends on the requesting method and the agency holding the records. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at Ind. Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees for copies but may not charge for the inspection of records.

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (Clerk of Court)	$1.00 per page plus certification fee
Indiana State Police criminal history search	$16.32 per search
Electronic records (where available)	Varies by agency
In-person inspection	No charge

Accepted payment methods at the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Courts include cash, check, and money order. The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search accepts credit and debit card payments through the online portal.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Indigent requestors or members of the media may in some circumstances request fee waivers; such requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the custodial agency.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Sullivan County

Indiana law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the restriction or sealing of records, and in limited circumstances, the physical destruction of records. Expungement under Indiana law does not result in the literal destruction of all records but restricts their disclosure to the public and most employers. Sealing refers to court-ordered confidentiality that prevents public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use.

Under Ind. Code § 35-38-9, Indiana's expungement statute, individuals may petition the court to expunge arrest records in the following circumstances:

Arrest with no conviction: A person whose arrest did not result in a conviction may petition for expungement one year after the date of arrest, or upon the date charges are dropped or dismissed, whichever is later.
Conviction of a misdemeanor: Eligible individuals may petition five years after the date of conviction, provided no criminal charges are pending and the petitioner has not been convicted of a crime within the preceding five years.
Conviction of a Class D or Level 6 felony: Eligible individuals may petition eight years after the date of conviction under qualifying circumstances.
Conviction of certain other felonies: Waiting periods of eight to ten years apply depending on the nature of the offense; certain serious violent felonies and sex offenses are not eligible for expungement.

Steps to Petition for Expungement in Sullivan County:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record or court case from the Sullivan County Clerk of Courts to confirm the details of the record sought to be expunged.
Confirm eligibility under Ind. Code § 35-38-9 based on the nature of the offense and the time elapsed since arrest or conviction.
Prepare and file a Petition for Expungement in the Sullivan Circuit Court or Sullivan Superior Court. Filing fees apply; the current filing fee for an expungement petition in Indiana is $157.00 for a single petition.
Serve the petition on the Sullivan County Prosecutor's Office, which has the opportunity to object.
Attend the scheduled hearing if the court sets one; the court may grant the petition without a hearing if no objection is filed.
Upon entry of the expungement order, the court notifies the relevant law enforcement agencies and the Indiana State Police, which updates the state criminal history repository.

Sullivan Circuit Court / Sullivan Superior Court
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4657

Sullivan County Prosecutor's Office
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4403

Following a granted expungement, the record is restricted from public disclosure. Law enforcement agencies retain access for investigative purposes. Third-party commercial databases may not update promptly and individuals may need to contact those services separately to request removal of outdated information.

What Happens After Arrest in Sullivan County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Sullivan County, the arrested individual is transported to the Sullivan County Jail located at 77 E. Justice Dr., Sullivan, IN 47882. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. The individual remains in custody of the arresting officer during transport.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Sullivan County Jail, the booking process is initiated. This process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume and the complexity of the intake. The booking process includes:

Recording of personal identifying information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint collection
Criminal history and outstanding warrant check
Personal property inventory and storage
Issuance of jail clothing
Medical screening
Brief mental health screening
Housing classification assignment

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Indiana law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judicial officer within a reasonable time, and in no event later than 48 hours following a warrantless arrest. At the initial hearing, the court formally notifies the defendant of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the defendant of the right to counsel, and appoints a public defender if the defendant is found to be indigent. Initial hearings may be conducted via video conference from the jail facility.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the court or jail. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all required court dates.

Surety Bond: The defendant engages a licensed bail bondsman who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent of the total bond.

Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: The defendant is released on a written promise to appear without monetary payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The court may order the defendant held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or active out-of-state warrants.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the jail processes the release within one to eight hours. The defendant receives a court date, written conditions of release, and the return of personal property. Failure to appear at any required court date results in bond forfeiture and the issuance of an arrest warrant.

If bond is not posted, the defendant remains in custody at the Sullivan County Jail, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to jail rules, commissary access, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Sullivan County Public Defender's Office
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4657

Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. Private counsel may be retained at any stage of the proceedings and may visit the jail for confidential consultations.

Charging Decision:

The Sullivan County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, the prosecutor may proceed by Information or, in certain cases, present the matter to a grand jury. The charging decision is made within the timeframe established by Indiana's speedy trial rules.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or in some circumstances, no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and the court sets pretrial and trial dates.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase involves discovery, pretrial motions, and pretrial conferences. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio or video recordings. Pretrial motions may include motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and motions for additional discovery. Plea negotiations may result in a resolution prior to trial.

Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or mental health court, plea agreement, or trial. If convicted at trial or by plea, sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination thereof.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 48 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by complexity
Misdemeanor cases: Resolved within three to six months in many instances
Felony cases: May extend twelve months or longer depending on complexity
Indiana's constitutional right to a speedy trial requires trial within one year of arrest for most offenses

Important Contacts:

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
77 E. Justice Dr.
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4016
Sullivan County Jail

Sullivan County Clerk of Courts
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4657
Indiana Judicial Branch Public Records

Sullivan County Prosecutor's Office
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4403

Sullivan County Public Defender's Office
100 Courthouse Square
Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: (812) 268-4657

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than retained or appointed counsel
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release if bond is granted

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Sullivan County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Sullivan County is governed by Indiana law and the policies of the individual custodial agencies. The Indiana State Archives and the Indiana Commission on Public Records establish retention schedules applicable to county law enforcement and court records. Records retention periods vary based on the nature of the offense and the disposition of the case.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions: Records of felony convictions are retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, the Indiana State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records are part of the subject's permanent criminal history and appear on background checks indefinitely.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Records of misdemeanor convictions are retained permanently by the Clerk of Courts and the Indiana State Police repository. Local law enforcement records are subject to agency-specific retention schedules but are maintained for a minimum of several years.

Dismissed Charges: Arrest records for charges that are subsequently dismissed remain in law enforcement and court databases unless the subject obtains an expungement order. Court records for dismissed cases are retained permanently in the electronic case management system.

Acquittals: Records of arrests resulting in a not guilty verdict at trial are retained in court records permanently. Law enforcement booking records are subject to agency retention schedules. These records may be expunged upon petition.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where the prosecutor declines to file charges are subject to shorter retention periods and may be eligible for expungement upon petition.

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Digital records maintained in the court's case management system and the Sheriff's records management system are retained indefinitely in most instances. Physical booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are subject to the applicable retention schedule, which for felony-related records is permanent and for misdemeanor records is a minimum of several years. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained for a minimum of three years under Indiana retention guidelines.

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot aggregation websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same update requirements as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but non-conviction arrests more than seven years old may not be reported in standard employment background checks for positions with annual compensation below $75,000. Individuals whose records have been expunged should contact third-party database operators directly to request removal, as expungement orders do not automatically compel private companies to delete records.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

A conviction results in permanent retention across all government databases. A dismissal may remain in databases unless expunged. An expungement order directs the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, and the Indiana State Police to restrict the record from public access; the FBI database may retain a notation of the expungement. The timeframe for removal from state and local systems following an expungement order is typically thirty to sixty days.

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrest records are available online through the resources described in this article. Arrests from more than ten years ago may require an in-person request to the Sheriff's records division or the Clerk of Courts. Very old records that predate electronic record-keeping may exist only in paper form in the county archives and may require additional processing time and fees for retrieval.

Impact on Background Checks:

Standard employment background checks conducted through FCRA-compliant consumer reporting agencies report convictions indefinitely and non-conviction arrests for up to seven years for most positions. Indiana does not currently impose additional statewide restrictions on the reporting period for convictions. Arrests without convictions carry no legal presumption of guilt, and their use in adverse employment or housing decisions is subject to applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about the retention status of a specific arrest record may contact the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (812) 268-4016 or submit a written public records request to the Clerk of Courts. Fees may apply for copies of records retrieved in response to such requests.