Hammond Warrant Records
Warrant records in Hammond are maintained through Lake County courts and the Lake County Sheriff's Office. This page explains how to search active warrants, access court case data, and contact the agencies responsible for warrant service in Hammond, Indiana.
Hammond Quick Facts
Lake County Warrant Records for Hammond
Hammond is one of four qualifying cities in Lake County, along with Gary, East Chicago, and Crown Point. All criminal warrants for Hammond residents go through Lake County courts and are served by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, located at 2293 N Main St, Crown Point IN 46307. Phone is (219) 755-3400. The sheriff handles warrant service for all of Lake County.
Indiana's free court search tool, MyCase, is the best starting point for searching warrant records. Search by name or cause number to find Lake County cases. Results show charge type, case status, upcoming court dates, and whether a bench warrant has been issued. MyCase is updated regularly but may not reflect warrants issued within the last day or two.
The Lake County Bureau of Identification also handles record checks. Their number is (219) 755-3316, and record checks cost $7.00. This is separate from the court warrant search and covers law enforcement records held by the sheriff's department. It is a useful complement to MyCase for a more complete picture of Lake County records.
Hammond Police Department
The Hammond Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency. The department is at 509 Douglas St, Hammond IN 46320. Non-emergency line is 219-853-6490. Call 911 for emergencies.
The Hammond Police Department website provides department contacts, public information, and service details for Hammond residents.
Hammond Police works alongside the Lake County Sheriff to serve warrants and carry out court orders in Hammond.
Hammond Police serve arrest warrants within city limits. They may also coordinate with the Lake County Sheriff for cases that extend beyond Hammond's boundaries. Police do not issue warrants. Under IC 35-33-2-1, a warrant must be based on probable cause supported by a sworn affidavit, and a Lake County judge must sign it before it has any legal effect. The request comes from police, but the authority comes from the court.
How Warrants Are Issued and Served
When a Hammond police officer believes a crime has been committed and knows who did it, the officer submits an affidavit to a Lake County judge. The judge reviews the facts and decides whether probable cause exists. If the judge agrees, the warrant is signed. Under IC 35-33-2-2, the signed warrant must name the defendant and the offense. It commands law enforcement to arrest that person and bring them before the issuing court.
Once issued, the warrant goes to law enforcement for service. That could be Hammond Police, the Lake County Sheriff, or both depending on the circumstances. If the person lives in Hammond, officers typically make the arrest. If the person has moved elsewhere in Indiana, the warrant remains active and can be served by any law enforcement agency statewide.
At the time of arrest, officers must follow IC 35-33-2-4. They must inform the person of the warrant and show it on request if it is available. The full statute is at findlaw.com. After arrest, the person appears before the Lake County court that issued the warrant. Bail may be set based on the charge.
Lake County Sheriff's Office
The Lake County Sheriff's website provides access to active warrant searches, jail information, and sheriff department contacts for Hammond and all of Lake County.
The Lake County Sheriff handles warrant service for Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Crown Point, and all other parts of Lake County.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains an active warrant search tool on its website at lakecountysheriff.com. You can look up active warrants for individuals across the county. Combined with MyCase, this gives Hammond residents two official tools to check before contacting the sheriff directly. Both are free to use.
Warrant Types in Lake County
Lake County courts issue several types of warrants. Some come from criminal cases. Others come from civil matters or state tax filings.
- Arrest warrants: criminal cases where a judge has found probable cause
- Bench warrants: issued when a defendant misses a Lake County court date
- Search warrants: allow law enforcement to search a specific location
- Tax warrants: filed by the Indiana Department of Revenue for unpaid taxes
- Body attachment orders: civil court orders for non-compliance
Tax warrants are filed by the Indiana Department of Revenue, not by police or the courts directly. They go through the judicial system and eventually reach the Lake County Sheriff for collection. You can search them at the Indiana Tax Warrant Search. The DOR's page on sheriff warrants explains what happens once a tax warrant reaches that enforcement stage.
Criminal History and Other Records
The Indiana State Police provides limited criminal history reports for $15 online. Use the ISP criminal history portal to submit a request, or call 317-232-8262. The report covers charges and convictions from all Indiana counties, including Lake County. It's a broader look than MyCase and covers older records as well.
Under IC 10-13-3-11, the law defines what a limited criminal history report may include and who may access it. Most criminal records in Indiana are public under IC 5-14-3 unless a court has sealed or expunged them. The ISP report and MyCase together give the most complete picture of a person's criminal record in Lake County.
Protection orders issued by Lake County courts appear in the Indiana Protection Order Registry. This free tool covers all civil protective orders statewide. These are civil court orders, not criminal warrants, but violating one can result in criminal charges and a new warrant being issued.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Indiana cities also have warrant records maintained through their county courts.
Lake County Warrant Records
Warrant records for Hammond residents are filed through Lake County. Visit the county page for sheriff office details, courthouse locations, and additional search resources.