LaPorte County Police Records
Police records in LaPorte County come from the Sheriff's Office in LaPorte and from local police departments across the county. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for rural areas and smaller towns throughout LaPorte County. With over 111,000 residents and a location near the Illinois state line, LaPorte County sees a wide range of law enforcement activity. Requests for official criminal history records go through the Indiana State Police, while incident reports and local arrest records are handled at the county level.
LaPorte County Quick Facts
LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and smaller communities in the county. Deputies respond to calls, make arrests, and keep incident reports that can be requested under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA). The Sheriff also runs the county jail and manages inmate records.
The Sheriff's Office is located at 809 State St., LaPorte, IN 46350. You can reach them by phone at (219) 326-7700. Staff can help with general questions about records and how to submit a formal request. The office serves as a first stop for anyone looking for arrest records, incident reports, or jail logs from the unincorporated parts of LaPorte County.
The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office website lists department news, inmate information, and contact details for various divisions. Check their site before calling to see if the information you need is already posted online.
The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office website is a useful starting point for records requests and general law enforcement information for the county.
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
The Sheriff's Office page lists contact options and department divisions for the LaPorte County law enforcement agency.
| Address | 809 State St., LaPorte, IN 46350 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (219) 326-7700 |
| Website | laporteco.in.gov |
LaPorte County Criminal History Records
The Indiana State Police manages the state's criminal history database through its Limited Criminal History (LCH) program. This is the official source for background checks and criminal history reports in Indiana. It covers arrests, convictions, and other records from law enforcement agencies across the state, including LaPorte County. The LCH system pulls data from courts and agencies statewide, so it gives a broader picture than any single county source.
To search the LCH, go to in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch/. A credit card search costs $15.70 and returns results right away. If you prefer to request by mail, the fee drops to $7. Mail requests take longer to process, so plan ahead if you need a record quickly. You will need the full name of the person you are searching and, if possible, a date of birth to narrow results.
The LCH is used by employers, courts, landlords, and individuals. It does not include juvenile records or sealed records. If a record was expunged under Indiana law, it will not show in the standard LCH search. For cases specific to LaPorte County courts, the MyCase portal can show court filings and case status.
Indiana's criminal history law is covered under IC 10-13-2. This statute sets rules on who can access records, what can be reported, and how long records stay on file. Most adult criminal records are public unless a court orders them sealed or expunged.
Submitting a LaPorte County APRA Records Request
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) gives the public the right to request records from government agencies. This includes police incident reports, arrest records, and dispatch logs held by the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Most public records must be provided within seven days of the request.
You can submit APRA requests to local agencies by contacting them directly. For records held by the Indiana State Police, use the online APRA portal at in.accessgov.com/isp-apra. This system lets you file a request, track its status, and receive documents electronically. For LaPorte County Sheriff records, contact the Sheriff's Office at (219) 326-7700 or visit the office at 809 State St.
Some records are exempt from disclosure under APRA. These include ongoing investigation files, confidential informant details, and certain juvenile records. If a request is denied, the agency must give a written reason. You have the right to appeal a denial to the Indiana Public Access Counselor.
When you write your request, be as specific as possible. Include dates, names, case numbers, and the type of record you want. A clear request is faster to process and less likely to result in a partial response.
Sex Offender Registry and Protection Orders
The Indiana Sex Offender Registry is a free public resource. It lists registered sex offenders by name, address, and offense type. You can search the registry by county, city, or ZIP code to find offenders living in LaPorte County. The registry is available at icrimewatch.net/indiana.php.
Protection orders issued in LaPorte County are searchable through the Indiana Courts portal. This system shows active civil and criminal protection orders statewide. Go to public.courts.in.gov/porefsp to search by name. Protection orders are court documents, so the LaPorte County courthouse can also provide copies of specific orders on request.
Both the sex offender registry and protection order database are updated regularly. If you believe a record is wrong or out of date, contact the relevant agency to report the issue.
Accident Reports in LaPorte County
Crash reports from accidents in LaPorte County are available through BuyCrash. This is the Indiana State Police's official portal for traffic accident reports. Go to BuyCrash.com and search by date, location, or report number. Most reports are posted within a few days of the incident.
Accident reports are used by insurance companies, attorneys, and individuals involved in crashes. The fee varies by report type. If your accident was handled by the LaPorte County Sheriff instead of the State Police, the report may be held at the Sheriff's Office rather than posted to BuyCrash. Call (219) 326-7700 to ask about locally filed crash reports.
Court Records in LaPorte County
Criminal court records for cases filed in LaPorte County are available through MyCase, Indiana's online case management system. Go to mycase.in.gov and search by name or case number. MyCase shows filings, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for cases in LaPorte County courts. It does not include confidential records or sealed cases.
The LaPorte County Circuit and Superior Courts handle criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Court records show more detail about charges and outcomes than basic police records. If you need certified copies of court documents, contact the LaPorte County Clerk's office at the courthouse in LaPorte.
MyCase is free to use and does not require an account for basic searches. It is updated as cases move through the court system in LaPorte County.
Cities in LaPorte County
Michigan City is the largest city in LaPorte County and has its own police department. Other communities in the county rely on the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement coverage.
Smaller communities in LaPorte County use the county sheriff for police records.
Nearby Counties
LaPorte County borders several Indiana counties. If the incident or record you are looking for occurred in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right agency.