Delaware County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Delaware County
Arrest records in Delaware County, Indiana, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, known as the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), members of the public are entitled to inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement agencies, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records — which document the act of taking an individual into custody — are distinct from conviction records, which reflect a court's formal finding of guilt following a criminal proceeding. An arrest record does not constitute proof of guilt; it documents only that law enforcement had probable cause to detain an individual. Under current law, certain arrest records may be withheld if their disclosure would endanger an ongoing investigation or compromise the safety of a confidential informant. The Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records portal provides additional guidance on accessing court-related public records statewide.
What's in Delaware County Arrest Records
Delaware County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled by the arresting agency at the time of booking. The specific contents of an arrest record may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the offense, but records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name, including any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Social Security number (may be restricted from public disclosure)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Muncie Police Department)
- Incident or case report number
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed, including Indiana Code citation
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
- Whether charges were filed by the prosecutor's office
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number and date
- Facility where the individual was processed
- Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, denied)
Court Information:
- Assigned court and cause number
- Scheduled hearing or arraignment date
- Presiding judge
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and conditions of release, if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Narrative summary of the incident
- Co-defendants listed in the same case
- Prior arrest history references, where permitted by law
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Delaware County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Delaware County may obtain them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the Correct Agency. Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. Arrests within the City of Muncie are typically documented by the Muncie Police Department, while arrests in unincorporated areas of Delaware County fall under the jurisdiction of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.
Step 2 — Submit a Public Records Request. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may submit a written or verbal request to inspect or copy a public record. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the records division of the relevant agency. Requestors are not required to state a reason for the request.
Step 3 — Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records. Fee schedules are established by each agency and are subject to state guidelines.
Step 4 — Await Agency Response. Under current law, agencies must respond to public records requests within 24 hours for in-person requests and within seven calendar days for written requests.
Delaware County Sheriff's Office 100 W. Washington St., Muncie, IN 47305 (765) 747-7870 Delaware County Sheriff's Office
Muncie Police Department 300 N. High St., Muncie, IN 47305 (765) 747-4822 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Muncie Police Department
How To Find Delaware County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to Delaware County arrest and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
Members of the public may use MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search to search for court case information associated with an arrest, including cause numbers, charges, and hearing dates. Searches may be conducted by name, cause number, or attorney. It should be noted that MyCase records are not official certified copies and may contain errors or omissions.
The Indiana Incarcerated Database Search maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction allows users to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities. Searches may be conducted by last name or by both first and last names.
The INjail Public Access portal provides real-time information on individuals currently held in Indiana county jails, including the Delaware County jail. Users may search by last name, first name, and date of birth.
The Delaware County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch page provides contact information and local court resources for individuals seeking court records or case status information specific to Delaware County.
How To Search Delaware County Arrest Records for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for members of the public to access Delaware County arrest records.
The MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search platform is available at no charge and allows users to search court case records statewide, including cases originating in Delaware County. The INjail Public Access portal is also free to use and provides current jail roster information for Delaware County.
The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search provides public-access criminal history information at no cost for general public inquiries. This resource contains records of felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests within Indiana and is searchable by name.
Members of the public may also visit the Delaware County Courthouse in person during regular business hours to inspect public court records at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Delaware County Courthouse – Clerk's Office 100 W. Washington St., Muncie, IN 47305 (765) 747-7726 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Delaware County Clerk
How To Delete Arrest Records in Delaware County
Indiana law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). These are distinct remedies. Expungement results in the destruction or erasure of the record, while sealing restricts access to the record without destroying it. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9, commonly referred to as Indiana's Second Chance Law, eligible individuals may petition a court to expunge arrest records under specific circumstances.
Arrest records may be eligible for expungement in the following situations:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction and at least one year has elapsed since the date of arrest
- Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- A conviction was vacated or set aside on appeal
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case information from the Delaware County Clerk's Office
- Confirm eligibility under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, including applicable waiting periods
- File a Petition for Expungement in the court where the case was adjudicated
- Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office
- Attend any scheduled hearing; the court will issue an order granting or denying the petition
- If granted, provide certified copies of the expungement order to all relevant agencies
Individuals are strongly advised to review the full statutory requirements, as certain offenses — including sex offenses and crimes resulting in serious bodily injury — are not eligible for expungement under current law.
What Happens After Arrest in Delaware County?
The criminal justice process in Delaware County follows a structured sequence of events from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Delaware County Jail for booking. During booking, personal information is recorded, fingerprints and photographs are taken, and the individual's property is inventoried.
Initial Hearing: Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual must be brought before a judge for an initial hearing. At this stage, the court advises the defendant of the charges, determines eligibility for appointed counsel, and sets bond.
Prosecutorial Review: The Delaware County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest report and determines whether to file formal charges. The prosecutor may file charges, decline to prosecute, or refer the matter for further investigation.
Arraignment: If charges are filed, the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: The case proceeds through discovery, pre-trial motions, and, if applicable, plea negotiations.
Trial or Plea: The case is resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a jury or bench trial.
Sentencing: If the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Indiana sentencing guidelines.
Delaware County Prosecutor's Office 100 W. Washington St., Suite 202, Muncie, IN 47305 (765) 747-7801 Delaware County Prosecutor
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Delaware County?
Arrest records in Delaware County are subject to retention schedules established under Indiana administrative rules and state law. Under current law, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain arrest records for defined minimum periods, which vary based on the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case.
Indiana's Public Records Law and the Indiana Commission on Public Records establish retention schedules applicable to county law enforcement agencies. Generally:
- Arrest records for felony offenses are retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years
- Arrest records for misdemeanor offenses are typically retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Records associated with cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal may be retained for shorter periods, subject to expungement orders
- Booking photographs and fingerprint records are maintained in accordance with agency-specific retention policies
Different agencies within Delaware County — including the Sheriff's Office, Muncie Police Department, and the Clerk of Courts — maintain separate record sets and may apply different retention schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
How to Find Mugshots in Delaware County
What Mugshots Are. A mugshot is a standardized photograph taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and are used for identification purposes by law enforcement agencies.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained. In Delaware County, booking photographs are maintained by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office and, for arrests made within Muncie city limits, by the Muncie Police Department Records Division. The Indiana State Police also maintains a statewide repository of criminal history photographs.
Finding Mugshots. Members of the public may request booking photographs directly from the arresting agency by submitting a public records request under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Requestors should provide the full name of the subject, the date of arrest, and the booking or case number if known.
Can They Be Found Online. At present, Delaware County does not maintain a publicly accessible online mugshot database. However, current jail roster information — which may include booking photographs — is accessible through the INjail Public Access portal. Court case information linked to an arrest may also be found through the Indiana Courts Case Search system.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially. Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained by submitting a written public records request to the Delaware County Sheriff's Office or the Muncie Police Department Records Division. Fees for copies are established by each agency.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access. Booking photographs associated with records that have been expunged pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-38-9 are no longer subject to public disclosure. Third-party websites that publish mugshots are not official government sources, and the accuracy of information on such sites is not warranted by any government agency.