Johnson County, Indiana Court Records
Johnson County court records are case files, details, and evidence that trial courts in the county maintain in connection with legal proceedings. Accessing these records involves using search and request methods offered by record custodians, such as the Clerk of the Circuit Courts and clerks of the Franklin and Greenwood Municipal Courts.
Those methods allow individuals to view case titles, information about case parties, and descriptions and dates of case events. Documents submitted by case parties, such as motions and complaints, and paperwork generated by other government organizations, including property records, can also be accessed during court record searches.
Requesters search for these records for various reasons, from confirming an upcoming date to checking a prospective employee's or tenant's criminal history. Attorneys, title companies, and genealogical researchers also look up court records to review past cases, verify liens, or confirm family histories.
Are Johnson County Court Records Public?
Yes. Rule 4 of the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court, establishes that every court record is public information unless a relevant law or court rule excludes it.
Examples of excluded categories of court records outlined in Rule 5 of the Supreme Court's rules include records "declared confidential by statute or other court rule," mental health cases filed under I.C. § 12-26, certain drug or substance abuse records, child sexual abuse materials, and sealed court records. Personal information, namely social security numbers of living persons, passwords, personal identification numbers, and bank account numbers, is also protected from public access.
However, parties to a case, their attorneys, certain government officials-such as law enforcement and court staff-and specific entities may be authorized by statute or court order to review protected records.
What Information is Available in Johnson County Court Records?
Members of the public can view the following case information when they search for court records:
- Party names, case numbers, case titles, and names of presiding judges and courts
- Docket entries showing case events and their dates
- Filed pleadings, motions, complaints, and probable cause affidavits
- Judgments, sentencing orders, jury verdicts, rulings on motions, and judicial opinions
- Traffic citations, arrest and search warrants, bail and bond details, and offense descriptions
Johnson County Court Records Search
Obtaining a Johnson County court record involves using resources or channels provided by record custodians, such as online case portals, in-person inspection, and mail-in and phone requests.
Online Access
The Indiana Judiciary Branch's case search system, MyCase, is the statewide resource for viewing summaries of court cases online. It allows the public to search cases by party name; case, citation, or cross-reference number; or attorney name or number.
Using the Court drop-down menu allows users to limit search results to selected courts. Choosing Johnson County limits searches to the county's Circuit and Superior Courts, while selecting Franklin or Greenwood City Court keeps the search limited to the respective municipal courts.
One can also select which case type to view, specify filing dates, and choose case status to further narrow down results. The search result displays details, such as the case number, presiding court, case type, filing date, details of case parties, and chronological case summaries.
In-Person Access
The Office of the Clerk of Courts, which serves the Circuit Courtand all four superior courts, allows the public to inspect civil, criminal, probate, and family case records at its Johnson County Courthouse office for free. The office can, upon request from visitors, produce plain and certified copies of case documents for a fee during regular business hours.
Records tied specifically to misdemeanor and infraction cases filed within city limits may instead be reviewed at the Franklin City Court or the Greenwood City Court, depending on where the case was filed. Each court's clerk, like the county's Clerk of Courts, can also reproduce copies of case files for a fee.
Mail and Phone Requests
Individuals who want to order copies of court records without visiting the custodian's premises can contact the relevant clerk's office for information regarding mailing and phone request options. These request channels may require requesters to provide case details, such as case numbers and filing dates.
In situations where those details are not known, the individual can use the MyCase portal to look up the information required for the request.
Fees for Court Records in Johnson County
Court clerks set the following fees for record copies, certification, and exemplification:
- Plain Copies: $1 per page
- Certification: $3 per document
- Exemplification: $9 per document
Johnson County Courthouse Locations
The following are contact addresses of courts within Johnson County:
Johnson County Circuit Court
5 East Jefferson Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4400
Phone: (317) 346-4441
Fax: (317) 736-3996
Johnson County Superior Court 1
5 East Jefferson Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4413
Phone: (317) 346-4441
Fax: (317) 736-7911
Johnson County Superior Court 2
18 West Jefferson Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4420
Phone: (317) 346-4441
Fax: (317) 738-5698
Johnson County Superior Court 3
18 West Jefferson Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4441
Phone: (317) 346-4432
Fax: (317) 738-4458
Johnson County Superior Court 4
5 East Jefferson Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4349
Phone: (317) 346-4441
Fax: (317) 738-4458
Johnson County Juvenile Court
1121 Hospital Road
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4691
Fax: (317) 736-9817
Greenwood City Court
Suite B
186 Surina Way
Greenwood, IN 46143
Phone: (317) 865-8244
Fax: (317) 887-5720
Franklin City Court
2851 North Morton
Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 736-3619
Fax: (317) 736-3629
Criminal Records Access in Johnson County
Criminal records are spread across records maintained and created by courts, law enforcement agencies, and detention facilities. They include arrest information, details about criminal proceedings, and, if the individual was convicted, information related to their incarceration and post-conviction activities, such as probation and parole.
Johnson County arrest records, which include details about a person's apprehension and detention, are primarily created by the Sheriff's Office and city police departments. They include the suspect's offense of arrest, booking details, and release information. One can obtain these records from arresting agencies and the Sheriff's jail division.
Getting criminal case information and arrest details under one report requires using the Indiana State Police's Limited Criminal History Search system. However, it is worth noting that the search system only provides details about felony and Class A misdemeanors that meet conditions outlined under IC 10-13-3-27. People interested in using the search system, which requires the name, date of birth, gender, and race of the subject, must obtain a user account with Indiana Interactive.
Johnson County Probate Records
Probate records, filed with the office of the Clerk of Courts, are produced during matters related to conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, wills, and estate administration for the deceased and incapacitated.
Individuals can contact the clerk's office for information about obtaining copies of case records or viewing physical case files. The MyCase portal also reveals summaries of probate proceedings in Johnson County.
However, it should be mentioned that some case records, especially those related to mental health and minors, may not be disclosed by the record custodian.
Johnson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Johnson County, also called domestic relations cases, cover divorce, child custody, adoption, visitation, and child support. They are heard by the Circuit Court, Superior Court Number 1, and Superior Court Number 4. The county also has a dedicated Juvenile Court that handles specific juvenile-related cases that can be classified as family matters.
Non-confidential filings, including most divorce dockets, are searchable through MyCase and can be inspected in person at the office of the Clerk of Courts. People can also contact the office for details about ordering copies of case records.
Federal Court Records in Johnson County
Federal court records produced in Johnson County come from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Cases that create these records include federal bankruptcy cases in the district's bankruptcy court, federal criminal prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice (Southern District of Indiana), and civil litigation seeking clarification of constitutional matters or initiated under laws enacted by the U.S. Congress.
Parties seeking these records can access PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), the federal judiciary's online case search system. They can also use courthouse search options, such as free public access terminals.
