Jay County Felony Records
Jay County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Portland, Indiana, the county seat. You can search Jay County felony records through the Indiana MyCase portal online or contact the Jay County Clerk directly. Jay County is in eastern Indiana along the Ohio border, and all felony cases for the county are processed through the courts in Portland. This page covers how to find and access Jay County felony case records.
Jay County Felony Records Quick Facts
Jay County Clerk of Courts
The Jay County Clerk of Courts in Portland is the official keeper of all Jay County felony records. The clerk maintains all case files, court orders, and final judgments for criminal matters in the county. Portland is the county seat and the location of all Jay County court filings. For in-person access to Jay County felony records, visit the Jay County Courthouse in Portland during regular business hours. The Indiana Sheriff's Association and the Indiana courts portal at in.gov/courts can help you find direct contact information for the Jay County Clerk and Sheriff's Office.
| County Seat | Portland, IN |
|---|---|
| Indiana Courts | in.gov/courts |
| MyCase Search | public.courts.in.gov/mycase |
All Jay County felony case records are held by the clerk from the time charges are filed through final sentencing. Each case file contains charging documents, motions, court orders, plea agreements, and the judgment. Plain copies are $1.00 per page under Indiana Code. Certified copies cost more. Call the Jay County Clerk to confirm current fees and hours before visiting Portland. Jay County has both Circuit and Superior Courts, both of which are served by the same clerk's office.
Jay County sits along Indiana's eastern border with Ohio. Some residents near the state line may have court interactions in both Indiana and Ohio, so it is worth confirming jurisdiction when looking for court records. All offenses occurring within Jay County's Indiana territory are filed with the Jay County courts in Portland.
Note: For Jay County court records, MyCase is the fastest online option. For certified copies or records not online, contact the Jay County Clerk's office directly in Portland.
Search Jay County Felony Records Online
The Indiana MyCase portal at public.courts.in.gov/mycase provides free online access to Jay County felony records. You can search by name or case number and view case summaries, charges, court dates, and status. Most Jay County criminal case information is public and does not require a login. MyCase is the fastest starting point for looking up a specific Jay County felony case.
The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch offers a statewide felony arrest search for $15.70 per name. It covers all Indiana counties including Jay County and is useful when you need a complete Indiana criminal history for a person rather than details on a specific Jay County case. More information about ISP criminal history services is at in.gov/isp/criminal-history-services.
Indiana statutes governing public access to Jay County court records are published at iga.in.gov by the Indiana General Assembly. The image below links to that official state source.
Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana law guarantees public access to Jay County government records, including felony case files maintained by the clerk and the sheriff.
Jay County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Jay County Sheriff's Office handles felony arrests in the unincorporated parts of Jay County and maintains the county jail. Arrest records from Jay County felony cases are public records. The sheriff must provide arrest logs and basic booking data to anyone who asks under IC 5-14-3-5. No reason is needed. Contact the Indiana Sheriff's Association directory for direct contact information for the Jay County Sheriff's Office in Portland.
If a Jay County felony conviction leads to a state prison sentence, you can look up the current inmate at offenderlocator.idoc.in.gov. The free Indiana SAVIN service sends notifications when state custody status changes. VINE at vinelink.com covers Jay County Jail custody changes at the local level.
Jay County Felony Court Process
Felony cases in Jay County begin with an arrest. The Jay County Prosecutor reviews the facts and files charges if warranted. Cases are assigned to the Jay County Circuit or Superior Court in Portland. All court steps from initial hearing through sentencing create records held by the clerk. Court hearings in Portland are generally open to the public. Non-sealed Jay County felony records are accessible through the clerk's office or through MyCase.
Jay County borders Randolph County to the south, Delaware County to the southwest, Blackford County to the west, Wells County to the northwest, Adams County to the north, and Ohio to the east. All felony cases from anywhere in Jay County are filed in Portland. The county courts handle all criminal matters for the entire county regardless of which township the offense occurred in.
Jay County Felony Expungement
Under Indiana's expungement law at IC 35-38-9, some Jay County residents can petition the court to seal their felony records. Once granted, sealed records are removed from MyCase and the ISP LCH system. Indiana waives the petition filing fee. Waiting periods range from one year for some arrests without conviction to ten years for the most serious felony convictions. All fines and restitution must be paid first. The Jay County Prosecutor must give written consent for the most serious petitions. Murder and most sex crimes cannot be expunged under IC 35-38-9-8.5.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac can answer general questions about expungement. For advice specific to your Jay County felony record, consult a licensed Indiana attorney.
Cities in Jay County
Portland is the county seat and largest city in Jay County. No Jay County cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated felony records page. All Jay County felony cases are filed at the courts in Portland.