Search Michigan City Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Michigan City are managed by the LaPorte County Clerk's Office. There is no city-level criminal court here. All felony and misdemeanor cases go through LaPorte County Circuit and Superior Courts. Michigan City is one of two locations for LaPorte County court services, with a courthouse branch at 300 Washington Street. You can search criminal cases for free on the state MyCase portal or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office also handles requests by mail and over the phone for copies of court files.

LaPorte County Clerk for Michigan City Records

Criminal court records for Michigan City residents are maintained by the LaPorte County Clerk. Unlike many Indiana cities, LaPorte County has court locations in two cities. The main clerk's office is at 813 Lincolnway in the city of La Porte. But Michigan City has its own branch at 300 Washington Street. Both locations can help with criminal court records.

The Michigan City official website provides links to local services and government departments.

Staff at the Michigan City branch handle walk-in requests during business hours. You can get copies of case files, check case status, and file court documents here. The main phone number for the La Porte office is 219-326-6808. For the Michigan City location, call 219-879-1957. Both offices serve the same county system, so your records are in the same database regardless of which location you visit.

LaPorte County courts fall under the Indiana Judicial system. You can find full details about court divisions and judges on the Indiana courts page for LaPorte County.

Search Michigan City Criminal Records Online

The fastest way to look up criminal court records from Michigan City is through Indiana's MyCase portal. This free tool covers all LaPorte County courts. Search by name or case number to pull up criminal cases filed anywhere in the county including Michigan City. The system shows charges, court dates, case status, and docket entries. Many documents are posted as links in the case summary.

Search Michigan City criminal court records at public.courts.in.gov/mycase using the Odyssey case management system.

No account is needed. Anyone can search MyCase for public case info and documents. The Access to Public Records Act under IC 5-14-3 governs what is open to the public. Final orders and judgments in criminal cases are usually available to view and download at no charge. Documents not posted as links in the case summary are not available through MyCase. Contact the LaPorte County clerk for records not posted online.

Note: MyCase data is not an official court record and may contain errors or gaps.

Michigan City Criminal Court System

LaPorte County has a Circuit Court and Superior Court divisions that hear criminal cases. All felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions for Michigan City go through these county courts. The prosecutor files charges. Cases get assigned to a court division. Hearings and trials take place at the courthouse. The clerk records each step from initial filing through final judgment.

All court divisions in LaPorte County use the Odyssey Case Management System. This means every criminal case appears in the same MyCase search no matter which division handled it. Whether the case went through Circuit or Superior Court, you find it in one place. Criminal cases follow procedures under IC 35-33 for arrest and IC 35-34 for charging information.

The Michigan City Police Department handles local law enforcement but does not keep court records. Court records are only held by the LaPorte County clerk.

Criminal Court Records Fees in Michigan City

Standard Indiana fees apply. Copies cost $1.00 per page under IC 33-37-5-1. Certification is $3.00 per document under IC 33-37-5-3. The LaPorte County clerk accepts cash and money orders for copies. Credit and debit cards may carry a convenience fee of about 2.5% to 3.5%. Personal checks are often not accepted.

Online searches on MyCase are free. You only pay when you need physical copies or certified documents. Court fines and costs for Michigan City cases can be paid at public.courts.in.gov/pay.

Note: Confirm payment methods with the LaPorte County clerk before visiting either location.

Getting Criminal Court Records in Michigan City

You have several options. The online method through MyCase is the quickest for basic case data. For certified copies or complete case files, go to the Michigan City courthouse at 300 Washington Street during business hours. Bring the case number or the full name of the person. Staff will search records and make copies when possible.

Mail requests are accepted too. Send your request to the LaPorte County Clerk at 813 Lincolnway, La Porte, IN 46350. Include the name, case number if you have it, and payment for copy fees. Processing time depends on how busy the office is and how complex the request is.

Indiana's expungement law under IC 35-38-9 may limit which records you can access. Expunged cases are removed from MyCase and the clerk's files. For legal questions about records or expungement, Indiana Legal Help has free info. The Self-Service Legal Center provides court forms and guides.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Michigan City. The county where a case was filed determines which clerk's office keeps the criminal court records.