Tippecanoe County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Located in west central Indiana about 22 miles from the Illinois border, Tippecanoe County has a population of over 186,900 residents and a land area of 498.9 square miles as of 2022. Named for Kethtippecanoogi meaning “place of the succor fish people,” its seat and largest city is Lafayette City. Part of the 4th Congressional District the county's court system consists of the Tippecanoe County Circuit Court, the Tippecanoe County Superior Court, and the City Court.

The Tippecanoe County Circuit Court is the highest trial court located within the county. It has jurisdiction over matters that are beyond the authority of other courts in the county. The court also has exclusive jurisdiction over probate, trusts, and adoption cases. However, both the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts can hear juvenile, domestic relations, civil, felony, and misdemeanor cases. Tippecanoe County has seven Superior Courts that have jurisdiction over several kinds of criminal, civil, and family cases. However, some of the courts typically adjudicate certain types of cases. For example, while Superior Court 3 majorly hears juvenile cases, Superior Court 4 handles felony drug cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims. Tippecanoe County also has a Magistrate Court that assists the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts in criminal matters. Finally, the City Court located in West Lafayette has jurisdiction over parking and municipal ordinance violations.

In 2022, the trial courts in Tippecanoe County had a total of 20,052 case dispositions, which included 6,093 criminal cases, 898 juvenile cases, and 7,864 civil cases. Within the same period, Tippecanoe County recorded a total of 243 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. The Tippecanoe County Clerk maintains records of court cases and makes them available to the public on the statewide case search portal. Researchers can also request case records through the Tippecanoe County Clerk Portal. Only certain authorized persons or agencies can access confidential court records, like juvenile and adoption records, as well as, medical, mental health, and custodial records within the county. Depending on the actual case, a court order may be required to access information.

In summary, the Circuit Court, Superior Courts, and City Court in Tippecanoe County form the justice system in the county. They ensure justice by hearing parties and handing down judgments that must be followed. Records of the courts' cases are open to the public to ensure transparency in the county's judicial system.