Court records in Hendricks County, Indiana, are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. HendricksINCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Hendricks County. You can also search cases through the Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) portal, visit the Hendricks County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website, or contact the Clerk's Office directly in Danville.
Hendricks County Court System Overview
Hendricks County is part of Judicial District 16 in Indiana, which also includes Morgan County. The county seat is Danville, where the courthouse and clerk's office are located. Indiana's trial court system operates through circuit courts, superior courts, and in some counties, city and town courts. Hendricks County has a Circuit Court and multiple Superior Court divisions that together handle the full range of criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters. The Hendricks County Clerk's Office is led by Marjorie Pike, who serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains all court records.
For specific phone numbers and hours, contact the court directly through the Indiana Judicial Branch Hendricks County page or consult the Directory of Courts & Clerks in Indiana.
Courts Serving Hendricks County
Several courts serve Hendricks County residents at the state and federal level:
| Court | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hendricks Circuit Court | One Courthouse Square | General jurisdiction trial court |
| Hendricks Superior Court (multiple divisions) | One Courthouse Square | Divisions handle criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases |
| Plainfield Town Court | Town of Plainfield | Handles ordinance violations and infractions within Plainfield |
| Danville Town Court | Town of Danville | Handles local ordinance violations |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana | 46 E. Ohio St. | Federal cases for Hendricks County residents |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Indiana | 46 E. Ohio St. | Federal bankruptcy filings |
For the most current phone numbers and hours for each court, check the state court directory.
What Types of Cases Hendricks County Courts Hear
Hendricks County courts handle a broad range of case types across their circuit and superior court divisions:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Infractions and ordinance violations
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims disputes
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate — decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters
- Juvenile — delinquency, status offenses, child in need of services (CHINS)
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Traffic violations and OWI/DUI cases
The sections below explain which court division typically handles each category.
District Court Cases in Hendricks County
In Indiana, the circuit court is the court of general jurisdiction in each county. The Hendricks Circuit Court hears felony criminal cases, civil cases of all amounts, and appeals from town courts. Cases typically arrive at the circuit court through direct filing by the prosecutor (for criminal matters) or by the plaintiff (for civil cases). A judge is assigned based on the court's internal case allocation rules, which distribute the caseload among the circuit court and superior court divisions. Post-conviction proceedings and complex civil litigation are also handled at this level. The presiding judge manages the docket, and parties may file motions, conduct discovery, and proceed to trial or resolution.
Magistrate Court Cases in Hendricks County
Indiana does not use a separate "magistrate court" in the same way some states do. Instead, Hendricks County Superior Court divisions and commissioners handle cases that would fall under magistrate-level jurisdiction elsewhere. These include:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and infractions
- Initial hearings and arraignments for felony cases
- Civil cases, including those with lower dollar amounts
- Small claims — Indiana's small claims jurisdiction covers disputes up to $10,000
- Traffic violations
- OWI arraignments and hearings
Small claims cases in Hendricks County follow Indiana Small Claims Rule procedures, which allow simplified filings and informal hearings. Town courts within the county handle local ordinance violations and certain infractions within their municipal boundaries.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Hendricks County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights are handled by designated divisions of the Hendricks Superior Court. To obtain a copy of a marriage or divorce certificate, contact the Hendricks County Clerk's Office in the county where the event took place. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees are not available online through the state court system.
Probate
Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are filed with the Hendricks County Clerk and heard by the circuit or superior court. Estate administration, will contests, and appointment of personal representatives all proceed through these courts.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases — including delinquency proceedings, status offenses, and Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases — are handled by a designated division of the Hendricks Superior Court. Juvenile court records are generally confidential under Indiana law and are not available through public case search tools.
How Cases Move Through the Hendricks County Court System
- Filing / Initiation: A criminal complaint is filed by the prosecutor; a civil complaint or petition is filed by the plaintiff or petitioner with the Hendricks County Clerk's Office. E-filing is available through the Hendricks County Courts page.
- Case Assignment: The case is assigned to a judge in the circuit court or one of the superior court divisions based on the court's allocation plan.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants appear for an initial hearing or arraignment. Civil cases receive a scheduling conference or preliminary hearing date.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and in criminal cases may engage in plea negotiations. Civil cases may involve mediation.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to bench trial, jury trial, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments. Either party may file an appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Hendricks County
The Hendricks County courts are administered under the direction of the judges of the circuit and superior courts. Judicial District 16 includes Hendricks and Morgan counties. Local court rules for the district govern procedures such as filing deadlines, motion practice, and courtroom conduct.
Under Indiana's Access to Court Records rules (Indiana Administrative Rule 9), most court records are presumptively public. Certain records are excluded from public access, including:
- Juvenile records
- Adoption records
- Records sealed by court order
- Mental health records
- Certain personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, account numbers)
You can search non-confidential case information through the MyCase portal. For records not available online, contact the Clerk's Office or submit a public record request through the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. Hearings are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be available remotely — contact the Hendricks County Courts office for current remote hearing procedures.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Hendricks County
- Court Case Search: Use Indiana MyCase to search non-confidential court cases in Hendricks County by name, case number, or date.
- Public Records Requests: The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains how to request court documents. You can also submit a formal public record request online.
- Clerk of Court Office: The Hendricks County Clerk's Office at 51 W. Main St., Suite 104, Danville, handles certified copies, filing, and records retrieval.
- Criminal History Search: The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History tool provides felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest records statewide.
- Jail Inmate Lookup: Search current Hendricks County Jail inmates through the Hendricks County inmate lookup or the INjail Public Access portal. Bond information is available by calling the jail at (317) 745-9332.
- Indiana Department of Correction: Search for individuals in state custody using the Indiana Incarcerated Database.
- Sex Offender Registry: Access Indiana's sex and violent offender registry through the Hendricks County Prosecutor's helpful links page.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage records are maintained by the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Marriage and divorce certificates should be requested from the county clerk where the event occurred.
- Property and Tax Records: Search Hendricks County assessed values through the DLGF Assessed Value Search or look up tax bills via the DLGF Tax Bill Search.
- Sheriff's Office: The Hendricks County Sheriff's Office provides information on sheriff sales, crime tips, and community resources.