Marion County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Marion County was founded in 1822 in Indiana. Approximately 971,700 persons live in the county, making it the most populous in Indiana. The state capital, Indianapolis, is the county's largest city and government seat. According to the US Census Bureau, Marion County covers 396 square miles of land area in central Indiana. The county's court system comprises four Trial Courts: Circuit, Superior, City/Town, and Small Claims Courts.

The Circuit Court in Marion County serves under Indiana's 13th Judicial District. As the general jurisdiction court, the Circuit Court handles all legal matters beyond other lesser courts in Marion County. Legal issues brought before the Circuit Court include felony trials, divorce cases, child custody/support, domestic violence protection orders, and general civil claims without financial limits. Residents can appeal decisions of other lesser courts at the Circuit Court. Marion County has a Superior Court which presides over most civil and criminal cases. The Superior Court Criminal Division hears misdemeanors, class D felonies, and drug-related cases, while the Civil Division resolves probate matters, adoption cases, and guardianships. Most juvenile-related offenses and cases are within the jurisdiction of the Superior Court Family Division. Marion County's City Court in Beach Grove hears ordinance violations and traffic infractions. The nine townships in Marion County establish Small Claims Courts to resolve landlord-tenant issues and other civil claims for not more than $10,000. These courts are located in:

• Center Township
• Decatur Township
• Franklin Township
• Lawrence Township
• Perry Township
• Pike Township
• Warren Township
• Washington Township
• Wayne Township

According to the Indiana Trial Court Statistics, Marion County trial courts receive more than 150,000 new case filings annually. The Circuit Court disposes about 1,000 felony-related cases annually. On the other hand, the Superior Court finalizes more than 20,000 misdemeanors and lesser felonies each year. The Indianapolis Police Department reports a minimum of 9,000 violent crimes yearly, according to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer. The Marion County Clerk's Office maintains all court records except those created in Small Claims Courts. Interested persons can request copies of court records via calls, emails, or in-person visits to the Clerk's Office. They can find case files online through the Indiana Courts Case Search platform. Confidential records are restricted from public view under state laws.

In summary, the Marion County court system, including the Circuit, Superior, and City Courts, ensures fairness in legal proceedings. The Trial Courts provide timely resolution of all legal matters and equitable access to public case files. Public access to court records promotes transparency, accountability, and community trust in the legal process.