Richmond Traffic Court Records
Richmond operates a dual court system for traffic violations, which means the type of citation you received determines exactly where you pay and what steps to follow. This page explains both paths, covers payment methods, and points you to the right office for your Richmond traffic court records.
Richmond Traffic Court Quick Facts
Richmond's Two-Court System for Traffic Cases
Most cities in Indiana route all traffic citations through one court. Richmond is different. The city runs two separate tracks, and knowing which one applies to your ticket is the first thing to figure out before you do anything else.
City ordinance violations go through the Richmond City Clerk, located at 50 North 5th Street on the 2nd floor of the City Building above the police station. State traffic violations, the kind issued under Indiana Code rather than city ordinance, are handled through the Wayne County Courthouse. If you are not sure which type you received, look at the citation itself. City ordinance tickets cite a municipal code number. State traffic infractions cite an Indiana Code section.
The Richmond City Clerk's office is where you pay ordinance fines directly. If a city ordinance fine goes unpaid, the amount can double and the case may be prosecuted at Wayne Superior Court III. Initial hearings for ordinance violations are held at 1:30pm or 1:45pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. For state traffic infractions, all payments and court activity go through the Wayne County Clerk at 765-973-9220. Do not mix up these two systems. Paying at the wrong office will not resolve your case.
How to Search Richmond Traffic Court Records Online
The State of Indiana provides free online access to traffic court records through two tools. Both are available around the clock and cover cases filed in Wayne County courts.
The main search tool is MyCase, Indiana's public case lookup system. You can search by name, case number, or citation number to pull up case status, hearing dates, and payment history. For cases that still have an open balance, the Indiana Courts ePay portal at publicaccess.courts.in.gov lets you pay online using a credit or debit card. Both tools work for Wayne County cases. City ordinance cases are not always in MyCase, so if you do not find your case there, contact the City Clerk directly to check status.
The Richmond city government also maintains a page at richmondindiana.gov/resources/ordinance-violations with information about the ordinance violation process. The Wayne County Clerk's traffic page covers the state infraction side.
The Richmond City Clerk resource page at richmondindiana.gov explains ordinance violation procedures and where to direct questions.
The page outlines the city's process for unpaid fines, hearing schedules, and how to contact the City Clerk for assistance.
Note: City ordinance cases are not always listed in MyCase, so contact the City Clerk directly if you cannot find your case in the portal.
Payment Methods for Richmond Traffic Fines
Richmond accepts several payment methods, though the options differ between the City Clerk and the Wayne County Courthouse. Know which court handles your case before you try to pay.
For state traffic infractions filed in Wayne County courts, you can pay online through publicaccess.courts.in.gov. In-person payments are accepted at the Wayne County Courthouse. By mail, send a cashier's check or money order made out to the Clerk of Wayne County Courts. The Wayne County Clerk does not accept personal checks by mail, so use only certified funds if mailing a payment. Cash is accepted in person at the courthouse.
For city ordinance violations, payments go to the Richmond City Clerk at 50 North 5th Street. Contact the City Clerk to confirm accepted payment forms for ordinance fines, as procedures can differ from the county court process. Do not wait on either type of fine. Unpaid ordinance fines can double. Unpaid state infractions can lead to a license suspension through the Indiana BMV.
The Wayne County Clerk's traffic and small claims page at co.wayne.in.us lists current procedures for in-person and mail payments.
The page covers accepted payment types, mailing address, and deadlines for responding to state traffic infractions filed in Wayne County.
Standard Fine Amounts in Wayne County
Wayne County uses a published fine schedule for traffic infractions. These amounts are set and do not change based on the individual case unless a judge modifies them in court. Knowing the standard amounts helps you decide whether to pay, contest, or pursue deferral.
Adult seat belt violations carry a $25 fine. Speeding 1 to 15 mph over the limit is $150. Speeding 16 to 25 mph over is $155. Speeding 26 mph or more over the limit is $160. Any other traffic infraction not covered by a specific schedule is $150. Construction zone violations carry additional fines on top of the base amount, ranging from $300 to $1,000 depending on the specific offense. These are court costs plus fine amounts combined, not just the fine alone. If you believe the amount on your citation is different from these figures, contact the Wayne County Clerk at 765-973-9220 for clarification before paying.
Deferral Program for Richmond Drivers
Wayne County offers an infraction deferral program through the Prosecutor's Office. Deferral lets eligible drivers avoid a conviction on their record by completing a probationary period without another violation.
To ask about deferral eligibility, contact the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office at 765-973-9406. Not every infraction qualifies. Serious speeding violations, construction zone tickets, and drivers with recent violations on their record are often not eligible. If you are approved, you will likely pay a fee and agree to a period of no new violations. At the end of that period, the original infraction is dismissed. This can matter for insurance rates and your driving record with the Indiana BMV. Do not pay your ticket before checking deferral eligibility. Paying the fine is the same as admitting the violation, which closes the door to deferral.
The Indiana Courts ePay portal at publicaccess.courts.in.gov can be used to check whether a case has been filed and whether a balance is owed.
The portal lets you search by name or case number and pay outstanding balances on Wayne County traffic cases online.
Note: Do not pay your ticket before checking deferral eligibility with the Wayne County Prosecutor, as paying the fine counts as an admission of the violation.
Legal Help and Additional Resources
If you want to contest a ticket or are dealing with a more serious charge like driving while suspended, free or low-cost legal help is available. Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org connects residents with legal aid organizations based on county and income. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice has guides on how to respond to an infraction without an attorney.
If your license has been suspended due to an unpaid fine or failure to appear, contact the Indiana BMV at in.gov/bmv to check your license status and find out what steps are needed to reinstate it. The BMV can tell you whether a hold or suspension is in place and what court or agency issued it. Clearing a suspension often requires paying the original fine plus a reinstatement fee directly to the BMV. Traffic laws in Indiana are found under Indiana Code Title 9.
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 Wayne County traffic court records page.