Goshen City Court Traffic Records
Goshen has its own City Court, which handles traffic court records for local ordinance violations and traffic infractions issued within city limits, while state-level violations go through the Elkhart County court system. This page covers how to look up cases, contact the right office, and pay fines for both systems.
Goshen Traffic Court Quick Facts
Goshen City Court: Local Traffic Jurisdiction
Goshen is one of the fewer Indiana cities that still operates its own City Court. That court sits at 111 E. Jefferson Street and is presided over by Judge Richard L. Mehl. The City Court handles ordinance violations and local traffic infractions issued within Goshen's city limits.
Having a city court is a meaningful distinction. It means some traffic matters stay at the local level rather than moving up to Elkhart County courts. City court cases have their own docket, their own hearing schedule, and their own clerk. If your citation came from a Goshen officer and references a city ordinance, your case is almost certainly at Goshen City Court. State traffic infractions, those citing an Indiana Code section rather than a city ordinance, go to Elkhart County courts at the courthouse on Reliance Road.
If you are not certain which court has your case, call Goshen City Court at (574) 533-9365. The clerk can look up your name and tell you whether a case has been filed there. It is worth making that call before you drive anywhere or try to pay online, since paying at the wrong office will not close your case.
Note: City court and county court are separate systems. A payment made to the wrong office will not satisfy your citation.
How to Look Up a Goshen Traffic Court Case
For cases filed in Elkhart County courts, use the Indiana MyCase portal at public.courts.in.gov/mycase. Search by name, case number, or citation number to pull case status, hearing dates, and fines owed. MyCase covers Elkhart County Superior and Circuit courts.
Goshen City Court cases may or may not appear in MyCase depending on whether they have been entered into the statewide system. The most reliable way to check a city court case is to call the clerk directly at (574) 533-9365. The clerk can tell you the current status, whether a fine is due, and what your next step should be.
The screenshot below is from goshen.in.gov/government/city-court, the official Goshen City Court page with contact details and hearing information for local traffic cases.
The page covers the court's role in handling local ordinance and traffic cases, with contact information for the City Court clerk.
Paying Fines Through Goshen City Court
For city court cases, contact the Goshen City Court clerk at (574) 533-9365 to get specific payment instructions. Payment methods and procedures at city courts can vary from county court procedures, so it is worth confirming before you send money.
For Elkhart County cases, you can pay online through the Indiana Courts ePay system at public.courts.in.gov/pay. That portal uses your case number to process credit and debit card payments. In-person payments for county court cases go to the Elkhart County Courthouse at 1905 Reliance Road, Goshen. The county clerk's number is (574) 538-3000 if you need help finding your case or confirming where to pay.
The screenshot below is from goshen.in.gov/traffic-court-in-goshen-rescheduled, a notice page that posts updates when court sessions are moved or cancelled.
The rescheduling notice page gives updates on court date changes and lets you verify your hearing is still on as expected before you show up.
Note: Check the city's rescheduling notice page before any court date, since sessions in Goshen City Court have been moved with limited advance notice.
Elkhart County Courts for State Traffic Violations
Not all traffic violations in Goshen stay at the city court level. State infractions, which include things like most speeding tickets and moving violations cited under Indiana Code, go through Elkhart County courts. The Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office also plays a role in more serious traffic matters.
Information about Elkhart County's criminal and traffic courts is available through the prosecutor's office. The screenshot below is from elkhartcountyprosecutor.com/criminal-division/courts, which describes which courts handle which types of cases and can help you figure out whether your violation is at the county level.
The Elkhart County Prosecutor's page outlines the county's court divisions and which ones handle traffic and criminal matters that originate in Goshen.
The Elkhart County Courthouse is located at 1905 Reliance Road, Goshen, Indiana 46526, and the main number is (574) 538-3000. If you want to contest a state infraction and need to know which specific Elkhart County court your case is in, look it up on MyCase or call the county clerk.
Deferral and Legal Help Options
Deferral for Goshen City Court cases may be available depending on the nature of the violation and your history. Contact the court clerk at (574) 533-9365 to ask about eligibility before paying your fine. For Elkhart County cases, deferral inquiries go to the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office.
If you need legal help and cannot afford an attorney, Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org connects residents with free or low-cost legal services based on county and income. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice has plain-language guides on how to respond to an infraction charge without hiring a lawyer. Traffic laws in Indiana are codified under Indiana Code Title 9. If a past unpaid fine has resulted in a license hold, visit the Indiana BMV at in.gov/bmv to check status and learn what is needed for reinstatement.
Other Indiana Cities - Traffic Court Records
Select another city to find local traffic court resources and payment options.
For county-level traffic court records, visit the Elkhart County traffic court records page.