Lake County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Lake County are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point. Lake County is the second most populous county in Indiana with nearly 500,000 residents, and its courts handle a large volume of criminal cases. The clerk's office keeps all case files for felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. You can search these records online through the state MyCase portal at no cost. Lake County has multiple court locations including Crown Point, Gary, and East Chicago. The county uses Indiana's Odyssey Case Management System for all court records.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk of Courts
The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official record keeper for all court cases in the county. This is one of the busiest clerk's offices in Indiana given the county's large population. The clerk is elected by Lake County voters and manages criminal court records, civil filings, and other court documents. Staff handle daily requests for record copies, process filings, and collect fees and fines for city, county, and state jurisdictions across Lake County.
The Lake County Clerk of the Court page has details on services and how to request criminal court records.
Unlike most Indiana counties where everything is in one building, Lake County has court operations at multiple locations. The main office is at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point, but courts also operate in Gary and East Chicago. No matter where a case was filed, all criminal court records go through the same clerk's office. Under IC 5-14-3, the public has the right to inspect and copy court records held by the Lake County clerk.
The official Lake County website has links to all county departments and court services.
| Office | Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Lake County Government Center 2293 N. Main St. Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Phone | (219) 755-3030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lakecounty.in.gov |
Search Lake County Criminal Court Records Online
Lake County criminal court records are available through the state's MyCase portal. This system covers all Indiana courts and is free to use. You can search by name or case number to find criminal cases filed in Lake County. The system shows case details, charges, hearing dates, and current case status. Many court documents are posted too. Final orders and judgments in criminal cases often appear as links in the case summary on MyCase. Given the high volume of cases Lake County processes, the online search is often the fastest way to find what you need.
Search Lake County criminal court records at public.courts.in.gov/mycase using the Odyssey system.
Anyone can use MyCase. You do not need an account for basic searches. The Access to Public Records Act under IC 5-14-3 protects your right to inspect court records in Lake County. If a document is not shown as a link in the case summary, it is not available online. Contact the clerk's office for records not posted to the system.
The Indiana courts page for Lake County lists all local court divisions, judges, and contact details for criminal court records.
Note: Data on MyCase is not the official court record and may have errors, so verify key details with the Lake County clerk.
Lake County Court System
Lake County has a large court system with multiple courts handling criminal cases. The Circuit Court and several Superior Court divisions hear felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the county. Courts operate at multiple locations including the Government Center in Crown Point and courthouses in Gary and East Chicago. All criminal court records from every court and location go through the same clerk's office.
Lake County is part of Judicial District 6, shared with Jasper, Newton, and Porter counties. Despite the multiple locations, all courts in Lake County use the Odyssey system. That means every criminal court record appears in the same MyCase search. You do not need to figure out which court or which location handled your case. One search covers all Lake County criminal filings.
The size of Lake County's court system means there can be a high volume of cases at any given time. Online searching through MyCase is generally the most efficient way to find records. In-person visits may involve longer wait times at the busier locations, so plan your visit accordingly.
Lake County Criminal Court Records Fees
Standard Indiana fees apply for copies of criminal court records in Lake County. Copies cost $1.00 per page under IC 33-37-5-1. Certification adds $3.00 per document under IC 33-37-5-3. The clerk's office accepts cash and money orders for payment. Call ahead to confirm if personal checks are accepted for copy fees at the Lake County Government Center.
Online searches through MyCase are free. You only pay when you need physical copies or certified documents from the Lake County clerk.
Court fines and costs can be paid online through the state online payment portal. This saves a trip to the courthouse and is especially convenient for Lake County residents in Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, and other cities spread across this large county.
If you need certified copies for legal purposes, visit the Government Center in Crown Point or call (219) 755-3030 about mail requests for criminal court records. Certified copies carry the official seal of the Lake County clerk.
Note: Confirm current fees and payment methods with the Lake County clerk before visiting.
Getting Criminal Court Records in Lake County
You can get criminal court records from Lake County in several ways. The main clerk's office is at the Lake County Government Center, 2293 North Main Street in Crown Point. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring the case number or the full name of the person you need records for. Staff can look up cases and make copies for you. Walk-in requests are handled the same day when workload allows, but keep in mind that Lake County is a very busy court system.
Mail requests are another option for criminal court records. Send your request to the Lake County Clerk's Office at Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307. Include the full name, case number if known, and your payment for copy fees. Processing times depend on the clerk's workload. Given the volume of cases Lake County handles, mail requests may take a bit longer than in smaller counties. Allow extra time if you need records quickly.
Indiana's expungement law under IC 35-38-9 may affect which criminal court records are available in Lake County. Expunged cases are removed from public access and will not show on MyCase or at the clerk's office. For questions about records access or the expungement process, Indiana Legal Help provides free information about court procedures and criminal record matters.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County is home to many cities and towns across northwestern Indiana. The county seat is Crown Point. Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago are among the largest cities in the county. All criminal cases in Lake County are filed at the county level through the courts, with locations in Crown Point, Gary, and East Chicago. Below are cities in Lake County that have their own pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lake County. If you need criminal court records from a neighboring area, select the county where the case was filed.