Court records in Daviess County, Indiana, are maintained by the Clerk of the Daviess County Circuit Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. DaviessINCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Daviess County. You can also search cases through the state's MyCase portal, visit the Daviess County page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website, or contact the clerk's office directly for records not available online.
Daviess Court System Overview
Daviess County is located in southwest Indiana, with its county seat in Washington. The county is part of Judicial District 25 within the Indiana court system. Like all Indiana counties, Daviess County operates a Circuit Court — the court of general jurisdiction established by the Indiana Constitution. The Daviess County Circuit Court handles the full range of cases, from serious felonies and major civil disputes to family law, probate, and juvenile matters. Indiana does not use a separate magistrate division in the same way some other states do; instead, the circuit court judge may be assisted by magistrates or commissioners who hear certain case types. According to the Indiana Directory of Courts and Clerks, the Daviess County Courthouse is located in Washington, Indiana. The courthouse has experienced fires in 1891, 1927, and 1985, resulting in some historical record losses.
Courts Serving Daviess County
Several courts at the state and federal level serve Daviess County residents:
Daviess County Circuit Court
Daviess County Superior Court
Washington City Court
The City of Washington operates a city court that handles ordinance violations and certain infractions within city limits.
U.S. District Court — Southern District of Indiana (Terre Haute Division)
Federal cases involving Daviess County residents are heard in the Southern District of Indiana. The Terre Haute Division serves this area.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana
Bankruptcy filings for Daviess County residents are handled through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
What Types of Cases Daviess County Courts Hear
Daviess County courts handle a wide range of case types. The Circuit Court and Superior Court share general jurisdiction, meaning cases may be assigned to either court depending on caseload and local practice. Case types include:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Infractions and traffic violations
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate — estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile — delinquency, status offenses, child in need of services (CHINS)
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Mental health commitments
District Court Cases in Daviess County
Indiana's trial courts of general jurisdiction are the circuit and superior courts — not "district courts" as in some other states. In Daviess County, the Circuit Court is the constitutionally established court, and the Superior Court was created by statute to share the caseload. Both courts have full jurisdiction over all case types, including:
- All felony criminal cases
- Civil cases of any dollar amount
- Appeals from city court or administrative agencies
- Post-conviction relief proceedings
Cases are typically filed with the Daviess County Clerk and assigned to either the Circuit Court or Superior Court judge. Criminal cases begin with the filing of charges by the Daviess County Prosecutor. Civil cases begin when a plaintiff files a complaint. The presiding judge manages the case through pretrial proceedings, trial, and any post-judgment matters.
Magistrate Court Cases in Daviess County
Indiana does not operate a separate "magistrate court" system. However, circuit and superior court judges may appoint magistrates or commissioners to assist with certain proceedings. In Daviess County, if a magistrate is appointed, they may handle:
- Initial hearings and arraignments
- Misdemeanor and infraction cases
- Small claims cases (up to $10,000 under Indiana law)
- Traffic violations and ordinance violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Certain family law hearings
Under Indiana's small claims rules, individuals can file small claims for disputes up to $10,000. These cases follow simplified procedures and do not require an attorney. Small claims are filed through the Daviess County Clerk's office. For civil cases beyond the small claims limit, standard civil procedures apply with no upper jurisdictional cap in circuit or superior court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Daviess County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights cases are filed in the Daviess County Circuit or Superior Court. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees are not available online — you must request certified copies from the Daviess County Clerk. The Daviess County Clerk of Court maintains marriage, divorce, and related court records.
Probate
Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are handled by the circuit or superior court. Probate filings are made through the clerk's office. If you need older probate records, be aware that courthouse fires may have destroyed some historical files.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency cases, status offenses, and Child in Need of Services (CHINS) proceedings are heard in Daviess County courts. Juvenile court records are confidential under Indiana law and are not available through public case search tools. Contact the clerk's office for information about accessing juvenile records if you are an authorized party.
How Cases Move Through the Daviess County Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin when the prosecutor files charges. Civil cases start with a complaint filed by the plaintiff. Family, probate, and juvenile matters begin with a petition filed through the clerk's office.
- Case Assignment: The clerk assigns the case to the Circuit Court or Superior Court based on local rules and caseload.
- Initial Hearing: In criminal cases, the defendant appears for an initial hearing or arraignment. In civil cases, a scheduling conference or case management conference is set.
- Pretrial 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 Daviess County
The Daviess County courts are administered under the supervision of the circuit court judge, with oversight from the Indiana Supreme Court through Judicial District 25. You can find local court rules for Daviess County on the Indiana Judicial Branch website. The Indiana Supreme Court approves local rules in specific areas, including selection of special judges, court reporter services, and other administrative matters.
Public Access to Records
Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, court records are presumptively open to the public. However, certain records are excluded or restricted, including:
- Juvenile records
- Records sealed by court order
- Certain mental health and adoption records
- Social Security numbers and other protected personal identifiers
You can search for case information online through MyCase, Indiana's statewide case search tool. For guidance on using MyCase, the Indiana Judicial Branch provides search tips. If a document is not available online, contact the clerk's office in Daviess County to request copies.
Attending Hearings
Court hearings in Daviess County are generally open to the public unless sealed by order. Contact the clerk's office or check the Daviess County court page for information about remote hearing options, if available.
E-Filing
Indiana uses a statewide e-filing system. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically through the Indiana Courts Portal, which also allows users to pay fees online and manage case notifications.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Daviess County
- Case Search: Use MyCase to search Daviess County court cases by party name, case number, or attorney. Electronic access is restricted for certain case types under federal and state law.
- Public Records Requests: If a record is not available online, you can request public records from the Daviess County Clerk's office. Certified copies typically require a fee.
- Court Forms and E-Filing: File documents and access court forms through the Indiana Courts Portal.
- Criminal History Search: The Indiana State Police offers a Limited Criminal History search covering felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. For more options, visit ISP Criminal History Services.
- Inmate Search: Search for individuals currently incarcerated in Indiana through the Indiana Department of Correction Incarcerated Database.
- Victim Notification: Register for alerts about an offender's custody status through Indiana SAVIN.
- Vital Records: Birth and death records are available through the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Daviess County Clerk.
- Daviess County Sheriff: The Daviess County Sheriff's Office is located at 101 NE 4th St., Washington, Indiana, and can be reached at 812-254-1060.
- Genealogy and Historical Records: The Indiana State Library's Daviess County research guide provides resources for locating historical court, marriage, and vital records — including information about records lost in courthouse fires.
- Property Tax Records: View property tax information through the Daviess County Auditor's tax list or the Daviess County Treasurer's office.