Courts taking criminal cases (state directory, October 2026):

• Circuit Court: 813 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350, 219-326-6808
• Superior Court #1: 300 Washington Street, #200, Michigan City, IN 46360, 219-874-5611 ext. 7710
• Superior Court #2: 300 Washington Street, #202, Michigan City, IN 46360, 219-874-5611 ext. 7736
• Superior Court #3: 813 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350, 219-326-6808
• Superior Court #4: 300 Washington Street, #116, Michigan City, IN 46360, 219-874-5611 ext. 7750

The clerk's office, 813 Lincolnway, #105, LaPorte, IN 46350, 219-326-6808, files papers and takes payments.

1. Initial hearing: charges and release terms.
2. Omnibus: the court sets a motion deadline.
3. Status hearings: lawyers trade evidence.
4. Trial date: Criminal Rule 4 allows a speedy trial within 70 days.
5. Sentencing: many Level 6 terms are served at the jail.

1. Go to MyCase; it is free.
2. Enter a name or number; filter to La Porte County.
3. The case page lists the next hearing.
4. Still stuck? The clerk answers at 219-326-6808.

Since July 1, 2026, Senate Enrolled Act 76 requires that ICE detainers be reported to the judge. It is logged. At 809 State Street, La Porte, IN 46350, ICE may take custody. The ICE Online Detainee Locator System then shows where.

In La Porte County, 5 courts hear felonies and misdemeanors. With no city court, small cases stay there.

1. Under Appellate Rule 9, the notice is due within 30 days.
2. Notices go to the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court, 216 State House, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, 317-232-1930.
3. There is a $250 filing fee.
4. The Indiana Court of Appeals reviews the record.
5. The last step is the Indiana Supreme Court.

The State Public Defender handles some post-conviction cases.

At the first hearing in La Porte County, ask for a public defender. A financial form may be needed here.

Michigan City, Westville, Trail Creek and Long Beach all rely on the La Porte County Sheriff's Office to serve warrants. Its main line, 219-326-7700, connects to staff who can check a name for an active warrant. Counsel can push for a warrant recall, or pick a day for you to turn yourself over at the jail and get bond set. For case questions, try the clerk's office at 813 Lincolnway, #105, LaPorte, IN 46350 at 219-326-6808. The online tool is MyCase, Indiana's statewide site, which lists public cases and any warrant order.

The Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division, hears them. The clerk is at 204 S. Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601, 574-246-8000. The U.S. Marshals Service may hold defendants in local jails.