Warrants are considered public records in Switzerland County, Indiana, pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3). This statute establishes that records maintained by governmental agencies shall be accessible to the public, with certain exceptions as provided by law. The Indiana General Assembly enacted this legislation to ensure transparency in government operations and to facilitate public oversight of judicial proceedings.
In Switzerland County, warrant information is maintained as part of the court's official records. These documents become available for public inspection once they have been executed and returned to the court. The Switzerland County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the custodian of these records and is responsible for maintaining their accuracy and accessibility in accordance with state regulations.
Members of the public seeking warrant information should be aware that certain records may be temporarily sealed by court order, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations or matters of public safety. In such instances, access may be restricted until the sealing order expires or is lifted by judicial authority.
Warrant records maintained by Switzerland County authorities typically contain the following information as required by Indiana Code § 35-33-1:
The level of detail contained in warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant issued and the nature of the alleged offense. Search warrants typically include additional information regarding the specific location to be searched and items to be seized.
Switzerland County residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by local authorities:
Individuals conducting warrant searches should note that pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(1), certain information may be redacted from public records to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information.
The Switzerland County Sheriff's Office, located at 405 Liberty Street, Vevay, IN 47043, maintains and executes warrants issued within the jurisdiction. Sheriff Brian Morton's office is responsible for processing three primary types of warrants:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants that is updated regularly as new warrants are issued and existing warrants are served. This information is shared with other law enforcement agencies through the Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to facilitate apprehension across jurisdictional boundaries.
Law enforcement officials execute warrants in accordance with Indiana Code § 35-33-2, which establishes procedures for proper service. The Sheriff's Office prioritizes warrant execution based on the severity of the alleged offense and potential public safety concerns.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Switzerland County in 2025 may utilize several official channels:
Persons with reason to believe they may be subject to an active warrant are advised that Indiana law requires law enforcement to execute valid warrants upon contact with the named individual. Voluntary surrender arrangements may be possible by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly.
Switzerland County maintains several mechanisms for verifying outstanding warrant status in compliance with Indiana public records laws:
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9(c), agencies may require written requests for certain records and are permitted up to seven days to respond to such requests. Identification may be required when requesting warrant information to verify the identity of the requestor.
The Switzerland County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official custodian of warrant records for the county. Members of the public seeking to access these records may do so through the following resources:
Switzerland County Circuit Court Clerk
212 West Main Street
Vevay, IN 47043
Phone: (812) 427-3175
Switzerland County Circuit Court Clerk
Switzerland County Sheriff's Office
405 Liberty Street
Vevay, IN 47043
Phone: (812) 427-3636
Switzerland County Sheriff
Warrant records are maintained in accordance with Indiana's records retention schedule. Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 7, courts must preserve warrant records for specified periods depending on the type of case. Felony warrant records are typically retained for 55 years from the date of final disposition, while misdemeanor warrant records may be disposed of after 10 years.
Individuals requesting warrant information should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate accurate searches. Search fees may apply in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for record retrieval and copying.