White County Public Records / White County Arrest Records

White County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in White County in 2026

WhiteCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in White County, Indiana. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party channels include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, inmate rosters, and criminal history summaries. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the requesting agency and the disposition of the underlying case.

Members of the public may search arrest records through official resources including the White County Sheriff's Office, the White County Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level online tools. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The White County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and jail roster information for individuals processed through the county detention facility. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about current inmate status and recent arrest activity. The roster reflects individuals currently in custody and is updated on a regular basis. Available information includes the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and custody status.

2. Local Police Departments

The Monticello Police Department serves as the primary municipal law enforcement agency within White County. Arrest logs and press releases containing arrest information may be available through the department's public information office. Members of the public seeking arrest information from city-level agencies should contact the relevant department directly, as online arrest log portals are not uniformly maintained at the municipal level in Indiana.

Monticello Police Department
315 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-9922
City of Monticello

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court case filings maintained by the White County Clerk of Courts. Members of the public may search for court cases associated with an arrest by name through the Indiana Judicial Branch: White County portal. Court case records include charge information, hearing dates, and case dispositions, providing additional context beyond the initial arrest record.

White County Clerk of Courts
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
Indiana Judicial Branch: White County

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search provides access to felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest records statewide. This database is maintained by the Indiana State Police and reflects arrests from all jurisdictions within Indiana. A standard search fee applies, and results include charge classifications, arrest dates, and disposition information where available. The Limited Criminal History does not include infractions or lower-level misdemeanor arrests.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
915 Hanawalt St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-9131
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
White County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Copy fees apply per page for printed records.

Clerk of Court:
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Indiana Judicial Branch: White County

Case file inspection is available during regular business hours. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with Indiana statutory fee schedules.

By Mail:

Written requests submitted to the White County Sheriff's Office should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requestor's complete contact information. Payment for copies must accompany the request. Processing time varies based on record volume and staff availability.

By Phone:

White County Sheriff's Office: (574) 583-9131
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed record information is not released by phone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may submit formal records requests on behalf of clients. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed investigative records not otherwise available to the general public. Records obtained through discovery in active legal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules.

Information Needed for Search:

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

Are Arrest Records Public in White County

Arrest records in White County are public records under Indiana law. Pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, Ind. Code § 5-14-3-3, members of the public are entitled to inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement records, subject to specific statutory exemptions. Arrest records are made available to support government transparency, public safety awareness, community notification, journalistic inquiry, background screening, and legal proceedings.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under Indiana law)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access following court order)
Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information that would jeopardize an ongoing inquiry
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain offense categories
Participants in witness protection programs

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 and public access to government records, while due process considerations inform the treatment of arrest records that did not result in conviction. Indiana courts have recognized that an arrest record alone does not establish guilt.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681) governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing screening. Employers and landlords using consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Indiana does not currently maintain a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though individual municipalities may have adopted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest reflects a law enforcement action and does not constitute a finding of guilt.

What's in White County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race
Height, 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
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date, time, and assigned booking number
Warrant information where applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
Charge classification (felony level or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations where applicable

Booking Information:

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

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status
Bond amount and bond type (cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond)
Release date and time if applicable
Release conditions where publicly available

Court Information:

Assigned court case number
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest or police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected or investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in booking records
Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated after 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 White County?

Indiana law governs the fees that public agencies may charge for records access. Under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge for the actual cost of copying records, and fees must not exceed the amounts established by statute.

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10–$1.00 depending on agency
Certified copies	Varies by office; typically $1.00–$5.00 per document
Electronic records	May be provided at no charge or at cost of reproduction
Search fee	Agencies may charge for staff time in certain circumstances
Indiana State Police LCH search	$16.32 per name (online)

Inspection of records at the Clerk of Court or Sheriff's Office is available at no charge; fees apply only to copies
Accepted payment methods at the White County Clerk of Courts and Sheriff's Office include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance varies
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest
The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search currently charges a per-name fee for online searches conducted by members of the public

How To Delete Arrest Records in White County

Indiana law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the legal erasure of the record, and sealing, which restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes. Under Ind. Code § 35-38-9, Indiana's expungement statute, eligible individuals may petition the court to expunge arrest records, misdemeanor convictions, and certain felony convictions, subject to waiting periods and eligibility criteria.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Arrests that did not result in conviction: Petition may be filed one year after the date of arrest
Misdemeanor convictions: Eligible five years after the date of conviction
Class D or Level 6 felony convictions: Eligible eight years after the date of conviction
Higher-level felony convictions: Subject to longer waiting periods and additional restrictions
Certain offenses, including sex offenses and crimes resulting in serious bodily injury, are not eligible for expungement

Steps to Expunge an Arrest Record:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and any associated court case records from the White County Clerk of Courts
Confirm eligibility based on the offense type, disposition, and applicable waiting period
File a Petition for Expungement in the White County Circuit or Superior Court
Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office
Attend the scheduled hearing if the court requires one
If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the record

White County Circuit Court / Superior Court
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
Indiana Judicial Branch: White County

White County Prosecutor's Office
110 N Main St, Suite 201
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-5920

Following the entry of an expungement order, the White County Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, and Indiana State Police are directed to update their records accordingly. Third-party commercial databases are not subject to court orders and may retain records independently of the expungement process.

What Happens After Arrest in White County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the White County Jail for processing.

White County Jail
915 Hanawalt St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-9131
White County Sheriff's Office

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the White County Jail, the booking process is initiated. This process includes:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights
Photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to state and federal databases
Criminal history and outstanding warrant checks
Personal property inventoried and secured
Medical and 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, not to exceed 48 hours following a warrantless arrest. At the initial hearing:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are formally advisement

Hearings may be conducted via video conference from the jail facility. Court schedules are available through the Indiana Judicial Branch: White County.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond:

Full bond amount paid in cash to the Clerk of Courts
Refunded upon case conclusion, minus applicable fees
Amount set by the presiding judge or magistrate

Surety Bond:

A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount
The defendant pays a non-refundable premium, typically 10% of the bond amount
The bondsman assumes financial responsibility for the defendant's appearance

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond):

Released on a written promise to appear
No monetary payment required
Granted based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and flight risk assessment

No Bond:

Individual held without bond pending further proceedings
Applied in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants

Conditions of Release:

Regular check-in requirements with pretrial services
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring in applicable cases
Pretrial supervision compliance

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. The individual receives a written notice of court dates and conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant. Individuals who do not post bond remain in custody at the White County Jail pending further court proceedings.

Accessing Legal Representation:

White County Public Defender's Office
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032

Eligibility for appointed counsel is based on financial need. Private attorneys may be retained at any stage of the proceedings and are permitted to conduct confidential consultations at the jail facility.

Charging Decision:

The White County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file modified charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters an initial plea. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at this stage, preserving all procedural rights while the case proceeds through pretrial phases.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion program completion, a negotiated plea agreement, or trial. If convicted, 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 depending on charge level
Arraignment to resolution: Several months for misdemeanors; six months to over one year for felonies
Indiana's constitutional speedy trial provisions apply throughout the process

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
Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case with anyone other than counsel
Contact family or a bondsman for bail assistance
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in White County?

Records retention in White County is governed by Indiana law and applicable local agency policies. Indiana's Public Records Law and the Indiana Commission on Public Records establish retention schedules that agencies are required to follow.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, Indiana State Police, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the individual's permanent criminal history record

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the Clerk of Courts
Included in the Indiana State Police criminal history repository

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement records may be retained for a period of years absent an expungement order
Court records are often retained permanently unless expunged
May remain accessible in public databases unless the subject obtains an expungement

Acquittals:

Court records are typically retained permanently
Local law enforcement records may be retained for several years
Subject may petition for expungement of the underlying arrest record

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records may be retained for a shorter period
Eligible for expungement one year after the date of arrest under Indiana law

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained according to the Indiana Commission on Public Records retention schedule
Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense classification

Digital Records:

Records management systems and computer-aided dispatch logs are often retained permanently or for extended periods
Electronic court records are maintained indefinitely by the Clerk of Courts

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to court expungement orders
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires accuracy in consumer reports but does not compel third-party databases to remove records upon expungement
Individuals should contact third-party database operators directly following an expungement to request record removal

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:
915 Hanawalt St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-9131
White County Sheriff's Office

Clerk of Court:
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
Indiana Judicial Branch: White County

State Repository:

The Indiana State Police maintains a statewide criminal history repository that includes arrests from all jurisdictions within Indiana. The Indiana Department of Correction maintains separate records for individuals who have served sentences in state correctional facilities. Members of the public may use the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search to locate individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state facilities.

FBI Database:

The FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain arrest and conviction records on a permanent basis. These databases are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance or firearms purchases.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Disposition	Local Retention	State Repository	FBI Database
Felony conviction	Permanent	Permanent	Permanent
Misdemeanor conviction	Permanent	Permanent	Permanent
Dismissal	Variable	Variable	May retain
Acquittal	Variable	Variable	May retain
Expungement granted	Sealed/destroyed per order	Updated per order	Retains with notation
No charges filed	Shorter retention	Variable	May retain

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Indiana does not currently impose a statewide restriction on reporting convictions after a fixed number of years. Arrests that did not result in conviction may still appear on background checks unless expunged, and employers in certain regulated industries may consider such records regardless of disposition.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about the retention status of a specific arrest record may contact the White County Sheriff's Records Division at (574) 583-9131 or submit a written public records request to the Clerk of Courts. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.