Howard County Warrant Records
Howard County warrant records are managed by the Howard County Sheriff's Office and the county circuit court in Kokomo, Indiana. Residents and others with a need to search active warrants or criminal case records can use Indiana's free MyCase portal, the state tax warrant database, or contact the local sheriff's office or courthouse directly. This page explains the main tools and procedures for finding warrant records in Howard County, what types of warrants exist, and how local warrant service operates.
Howard County Quick Facts
Searching Howard County Warrant Records
The primary free tool for searching Howard County warrant records is Indiana's MyCase portal. This statewide system is open to the public and allows name-based or case number searches. MyCase covers Howard County criminal and civil cases, showing charges, case status, and full event history. If a warrant was issued in a Howard County criminal case, the associated case record in MyCase will often show that activity in the events log.
MyCase may not show events from the last day or two. For the most current information on active warrants in Howard County, contacting the Howard County Circuit Court clerk in Kokomo or calling the Howard County Sheriff's Office directly is the right approach. The sheriff's office is at 1800 W Markland Avenue, Kokomo, IN 46901, reachable by phone at 765-456-2020. Kokomo is the county seat and home to the majority of Howard County's population, so most court activity in the county runs through the Kokomo courthouse.
Tax warrants in Howard County are separate from arrest warrants. The Indiana courts system provides a free tax warrant search tool that covers most Indiana counties, including Howard. A tax warrant is a civil judgment for unpaid state taxes. It does not result in arrest, but it can lead to property liens and financial account levies. If you need to check for a tax warrant tied to Howard County, that tool is available at no cost.
Types of Warrants in Howard County
Arrest warrants are the most serious type in the criminal system. Under IC 35-33-2-1, a Howard County judge can issue an arrest warrant after a grand jury indictment or upon finding probable cause that a crime took place. Once a judge signs the warrant, it goes to the Howard County Sheriff's Office for service. Deputies carry out arrest warrants across Howard County, and the Kokomo Police Department may assist when needed within city limits.
Bench warrants arise when a defendant misses a court date or violates a court order. They are issued directly by the Howard County judge handling the case. Any law enforcement officer in Indiana can act on a bench warrant once it is signed. If you think you may have a bench warrant in Howard County, the safest move is to check MyCase or call the courthouse before any police contact. Bench warrants in criminal cases do not resolve on their own.
Under IC 35-33-2-4, misdemeanor warrants expire after 180 days if not served. Felony warrants have no expiration. They stay active until the person is arrested or the court withdraws the warrant. A felony warrant issued years ago in Howard County is still valid today. If you are unsure whether an old warrant is still open, checking MyCase or calling the circuit court clerk is the right move.
Warrant Contents Under Indiana Law
Per IC 35-33-2-2, every arrest warrant must be in writing. It must name the specific offense charged and carry a judge's or court clerk's signature. The warrant must also be directed to a law enforcement officer. A warrant missing any required element can be challenged in court.
Once a warrant is served, it is a public record under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3). You can request copies of executed warrants from the Howard County Circuit Court clerk in Kokomo. Active warrants that have not yet been served may have restricted public access so that law enforcement can serve them without the subject being alerted in advance.
Howard County Sheriff's Office
The Howard County Sheriff's Office handles warrant service for the entire county. The office is at 1800 W Markland Avenue, Kokomo, IN 46901, with a main phone number of 765-456-2020. The sheriff manages the county jail, patrols unincorporated areas, and coordinates with other agencies on warrant service within city limits like Kokomo.
When a judge signs an arrest or bench warrant in Howard County, it goes to the sheriff's office. Deputies log it into their system and actively work to serve it. You can call the sheriff's office to ask whether a warrant is on file for a specific person. They may not share full details on unserved warrants, but they can often confirm one is active. Turning yourself in voluntarily at the Howard County Jail can sometimes lead to a smoother process than an unexpected arrest in the field.
The Indiana State Police maintain a statewide sheriffs directory with contacts for every county, including Howard. The Indiana Sheriffs Association also provides resources for residents dealing with warrant-related issues throughout the state.
Criminal History Records in Howard County
For a detailed criminal history tied to Howard County, the Indiana State Police offers a limited criminal history check for $15. This covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. Mail a request to Indiana State Police, P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188, or call 317-232-8262. Under IC 10-13-3-11, the report covers arrest records and court dispositions for covered offense classes.
The ISP report is more thorough than what MyCase provides. It pulls data from all Indiana counties and can show arrests tied to Howard County that do not appear in a court portal search. It is a dependable option for anyone who needs a complete record of arrests or wants to verify their own criminal history.
Protection Orders in Howard County
Indiana's free Protection Order Registry can be searched by name or cause number. If someone in Howard County violates an active protection order, a warrant can be issued quickly. The registry covers all Indiana counties and is updated regularly. Checking it is the right move if you need to verify whether a protection order is currently active in Howard County.
Public Records Portal and MyCase for Howard County
The MyCase portal is the main free resource for Howard County court records. You can search by name and filter to Howard County. Results show criminal and civil cases with charges, case status, and event history. If a warrant was issued in a Howard County case, the event log will often reflect that, even if it is not labeled in plain terms as an active warrant.
When you find a case in MyCase, look through the event log carefully. Entries about bench warrants, failures to appear, or warrant issuance orders can tell you whether a warrant was issued and whether it has been served. Open cases with recent court activity are worth reviewing closely.
Indiana's public records portal at in.gov/courts/public-records has guidance on what records are available in each county and how to request physical copies. That resource is useful if you need certified copies of court documents from Howard County.
Indiana's public records portal at in.gov/courts/public-records provides guidance on how to access Howard County court records and what types of documents are open to the public.
The public records portal covers Howard County and provides direction on how to request court documents, including warrant-related records, from local courts.
Cities in Howard County
Kokomo is the county seat and largest city in Howard County, with a population over 25,000, and has a dedicated warrant records page.
Nearby Counties
Warrant records in counties near Howard County can be searched using the same Indiana state tools, including MyCase and the tax warrant database.