If you are searching for Indiana mugshots, you have likely landed on BustedNewspaper.com. It is currently one of the most visited sites for booking photos because it scrapes data from county jails faster than almost anyone else.
But here is the critical warning: Busted Newspaper is a scraper site. It pulls data automatically and often fails to update it.
This means you might see a mugshot of a friend who was released days ago, or charges that were dropped last week. To get the truth, you need to use the “Official Source Strategy” below.
Step 1: How to Search “Busted Newspaper Indiana” Correctly
Busted Newspaper is messy and full of ads. If you scroll the main feed, you will see a confusing mix of arrests from Evansville, Gary, and Fort Wayne all jumbled together.
The “County Filter” Trick: Do not waste time on the main homepage. You must filter by the specific county where the arrest happened to find accurate results.
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For Indianapolis: Click “Marion County” (Records are filed by county, not city).
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For Fort Wayne: Click “Allen County”.
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For Gary/Hammond: Click “Lake County”.
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For Evansville: Click “Vanderburgh County”.
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For South Bend: Click “St. Joseph County”.
The “48-Hour Rule”: Look closely at the “Booking Date” under the photo on their site.
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If the date is older than 48 hours, STOP.
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Do not assume they are still in jail. Most people bond out within 24 hours. Busted Newspaper rarely removes the mugshot when they leave. You must use the official links in Step 2 to verify.
Step 2: The “Truth Check” (Official Verification)
This is the most important step. You have seen the photo, now you need the facts. You must check the official government database to see if they are actually in custody.
The “Gold Standard”: MyCase Indiana
This is the official statewide court system. It is free, accurate, and updates in real-time.
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Go to the Official Site: mycase.in.gov
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Select “Criminal”: Uncheck the “Civil” and “Family” boxes to speed up your search.
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Enter the Name: Type the Last Name and First Name.
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Read the Real Status:
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“Pending”: The case is active, and they might still be in jail.
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“Bond Posted”: They have paid bail and are OUT, even if Busted Newspaper says they are in.
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“Dismissed”: The charges were dropped.
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Step 3: Official 2026 Indiana Jail Directory
If you need to post bail, drop off money, or visit an inmate, do not contact Busted Newspaper. They cannot help you.
Here are the verified 2026 contacts for the busiest county jails in Indiana. Use these official links to get the real-time roster.
Marion County (Indianapolis)
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Area Covered: Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Lawrence, Speedway.
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Official Inmate Search: Indy.gov Inmate Locator
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Jail Address: 695 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203
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Phone: (317) 327-3811
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Insider Tip: This is the busiest jail in the state. Processing paperwork here is slow—it can take 8-12 hours after an arrest for them to appear on the official list.
Lake County (Gary / Crown Point)
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Area Covered: Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Merrillville.
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Official Inmate Search: Lake County Sheriff Inmate Search
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Jail Address: 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307
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Booking Phone: (219) 648-6300
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Insider Tip: Lake County is known for listing inmates slowly. If you can’t find them online but know they were arrested, call the booking desk directly at the number above.
Allen County (Fort Wayne)
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Area Covered: Fort Wayne, New Haven, Leo-Cedarville.
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Official Inmate Search: Allen County Inmate Detail
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Jail Address: 417 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
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Phone: (260) 449-7376
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Insider Tip: This website updates very fast—usually within 2 hours of booking. It is much more reliable than third-party sites.
Vanderburgh County (Evansville)
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Area Covered: Evansville, USI Campus.
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Official Inmate Search: Vanderburgh Jail Roster
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Jail Address: 3500 N. Harlan Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711
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Phone: (812) 421-6200
St. Joseph County (South Bend)
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Area Covered: South Bend, Mishawaka, Notre Dame.
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Official Inmate Search: St. Joseph Inmate Lookup
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Jail Address: 401 West Sample Street, South Bend, IN 46601
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Phone: (574) 245-6535
Hamilton County (Noblesville / Fishers)
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Area Covered: Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield.
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Official Inmate Search: [suspicious link removed]
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Jail Address: 18102 Cumberland Road, Noblesville, IN 46060
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Phone: (317) 776-9800
Step 4: Practical FAQ & Troubleshooting
Is Busted Newspaper legal in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana has “Open Records” laws (Sunshine Laws) that make arrest logs public information. Busted Newspaper has the legal right to republish this data. However, they are a private company, not a government agency.
How do I remove my mugshot from Busted Newspaper?
It is difficult, but possible if you have the right paperwork.
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If you were convicted: They usually refuse to remove it unless the record is legally expunged.
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If your case was DISMISSED: You have leverage.
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Go to MyCase.in.gov and print your “Order of Dismissal”.
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Scroll to the bottom of the Busted Newspaper website and look for the “Removal” or “Contact” link.
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Upload your official court document. They are much more likely to delete the post if you provide legal proof of innocence.
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Does “Released on Own Recognizance” mean they are free?
Yes. If you see “ROR” or “OR Bond” on the official site, it means the judge let them go without paying any money. They just signed a promise to return to court. They are back home, even if their photo is still online.