Vermillion County Booking Reports

Vermillion County booking reports are handled by the Sheriff's Office in Newport, Indiana. The county sits along the Illinois border in west-central Indiana and has a population around 15,500. Every arrest made within Vermillion County produces a booking report that becomes a public record. You can search for arrest details, find out if someone is in jail, and get copies of booking records by contacting the sheriff. This page covers the main ways to access Vermillion County booking reports and what Indiana law says about your right to see them.

Vermillion County Sheriff Booking Records

The Vermillion County Sheriff's Office keeps all booking reports for the county jail. Sheriff Mike Phelps runs the office. You can reach them at (765) 492-3838. The office is in Newport and handles all local arrests. Staff can look up who is in custody and give you details from a booking report over the phone or in person.

Under IC 5-14-3-5, Vermillion County must share booking data with anyone who asks. This includes the person's name, age, address, charges, and the time and place of the arrest. The arresting officer and bond amount are also public. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The law is clear on this point. Vermillion County booking reports are open to public inspection at no cost.

For written requests, mail them to the Vermillion County Sheriff's Office in Newport, IN 47966. Include the person's name and date of arrest if you know it. The sheriff has up to seven days to respond under IC 5-14-3-9, but most simple requests are handled faster than that in Vermillion County.

How to Search Vermillion County Arrest Records

Vermillion County does not have its own online inmate lookup tool. The county is small and relies on phone and in-person access for booking report requests. Call (765) 492-3838 to check on a booking or find out if someone is in custody at the Vermillion County Jail.

State-level tools fill in the gaps for Vermillion County. The VINELink system lets you check custody status across all Indiana counties for free. You can sign up for alerts when a person's status changes. The toll-free VINE number is 1-866-959-8463. The Indiana MyCase portal shows court case details tied to Vermillion County arrests. Search by name or case number to see charges, filings, and court dates.

The screenshot below shows the Indiana DOC Offender Locator, which covers state-level records that may relate to Vermillion County bookings.

This tool tracks individuals who have been transferred from county facilities like the Vermillion County Jail to Indiana state prisons.

Note: Vermillion County booking data from active investigations may be withheld under IC 5-14-3-4.

What Vermillion County Booking Reports Contain

Each booking report from Vermillion County has a set of required fields. The person's full name and date of birth are listed. Their address goes on the report. The charges that led to the arrest are shown. The time and place of the arrest are documented, along with the arresting officer and agency. If bond has been set, that amount is part of the public record too.

The Vermillion County daily arrest log tracks all suspected crimes and complaints. IC 5-14-3-5(c) says this log must be created within 24 hours. It shows the time, substance, and location of each complaint along with how the agency responded. You can view this log at the sheriff's office during business hours. There is no fee to look at it. If you want copies of Vermillion County booking records, the cost is $0.10 per page for standard copies under IC 5-14-3-8.

Your Right to Vermillion County Records

Indiana law gives everyone the right to see booking reports. The Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3-3 says any person may inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. This covers all Vermillion County booking reports. The sheriff cannot ask why you want the records. That is a protection built into the law.

IC 5-14-3-5 lists the exact data that must be released when someone is arrested or booked into jail in Vermillion County. The name, age, address, charges, arrest circumstances, and bond amounts must all be shared. These are mandatory disclosures. The law uses the word "shall" to make it clear there is no room for the agency to refuse. Some records from active investigations can be held back under IC 5-14-3-4, but the basic booking report is always public in Vermillion County.

Vermillion County Booking Record Costs

Inspecting records costs nothing. Copies have set fees. Standard black and white copies are $0.10 per page. Color copies go up to $0.25 per page. Certified copies can cost up to $5 per document. The fees cover paper and machine costs only. No labor charges. Vermillion County follows the state rules on all copy fees for booking records.

For bulk requests or formal records inquiries, you can use the state APRA portal to submit your request online. This portal covers all state agencies in Indiana. For Vermillion County-specific records, direct contact with the sheriff's office is still the fastest option.

Expungement in Vermillion County

Old booking reports from Vermillion County can be sealed through Indiana's expungement process. Under IC 35-38-8, the waiting periods are: one year for arrests that did not lead to a conviction, five years for misdemeanor convictions, and eight years for felonies. Once a record is expunged, it will not show up in a Vermillion County booking search.

The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History tool costs $15 and covers felonies and Class A misdemeanors. For expungement questions, contact ISP at Expungement@isp.IN.gov or (317) 234-4427. The Indiana State Sheriff's Association directory confirms current contact info for the Vermillion County Sheriff and all other Indiana sheriffs.

Note: Expunged records are removed from public databases but may still exist in sealed court files.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Vermillion County. Booking reports are kept in the county where the arrest happened. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check the arrest location.