IV. Access to criminal court records

Overview

Indiana

Indiana Administrative Rule 9 provides for general access to court records, subject to various restrictions. The full text of Administrative Rule 9 is available on the Indiana courts’ website. http://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/admin/index.html#_Toc245015560

The Indiana courts publish a “Public Access to Court Records Handbook,” which is available on the Indiana courts website. http://www.in.gov/judiciary/admin/pubs/access.html

The Handbook states, in part:

In addition to the inherent authority of the Indiana Supreme Court to oversee the operation of trial courts throughout the state, Indiana Code §5-14-3-4(a)(8) specifically recognizes the authority of the Indiana Supreme Court to create rules governing access to court records. Administrative Rule 9 was developed in accordance with this authority and expresses the general premise that records are publicly accessible unless they are explicitly excluded from access. This rule seeks to assure full public access to court records while protecting important privacy interests and while assisting court staff and clerks’ offices in providing helpful customer service.