Hobart Traffic Ticket Records

Hobart traffic ticket records go through the Hobart City Court, which has served Lake County since 1960 and is now known as the William J. Longer Justice Center. The court handles ordinance violations, traffic infractions (countywide), misdemeanors, and civil cases up to $6,000 for residents in and around Hobart. You can look up records at no cost through Indiana's MyCase portal, contact the court to pay or set a hearing date, or visit in person at 705 E 4th Street Suite C. This page covers how to find your case, pay your fine, and understand your options for contesting a ticket.

Hobart City Court

Hobart City Court is located at 705 E 4th Street, Suite C, Hobart, IN 46342. The main phone is 219-942-8218. Fax is 219-942-2697. Judge Joe Nugent currently presides over the court. The court is named the William J. Longer Justice Center, after the judge who served the longest term, from 1992 to 2023.

Court sessions run three times each week. Monday evenings at 6 p.m. are for general matters. Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m. are for eviction and civil filings. Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. handle additional matters. If you have a court date set, confirm which session yours falls in. Showing up on the wrong day means you miss your hearing.

Hobart City Court has broader jurisdiction than some Indiana city courts. It hears ordinance violations, traffic infractions from countywide, misdemeanor cases, and civil matters up to $6,000. The countywide traffic infraction jurisdiction means the court can hear certain Lake County cases even outside Hobart city limits. If you are not sure whether your ticket goes to Hobart City Court, call 219-942-8218 and give them your ticket number.

Lake County also lists the court on their government site at lakecountyin.gov under the court directory. The county site can confirm that Hobart City Court is the right place for your case.

How to Search Hobart Traffic Ticket Records

Indiana's free public case search tool is MyCase. It covers all Hobart City Court filings and updates regularly from the state's Odyssey court system.

Go to https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase. Search by your name and date of birth, or by case number if you have it from your ticket. Results show the charges filed, the current court status, any scheduled hearing dates, and whether the case is resolved. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, these records are available to the public at no charge.

The court also suggests using the Odyssey system, referenced as MyCase, or calling 219-942-8218 to look up your case. If you're not comfortable with online searches, the phone call is a straightforward option. Give the clerk your ticket number and they can tell you the case status and what your options are.

The Indiana MyCase portal is the primary statewide search tool, shown in the screenshot below. It covers all 92 Indiana counties including all Lake County courts like Hobart City Court.

When you find your case in MyCase, check the case type and the court name. If it says Hobart City Court, you are in the right place. The system also shows whether a hearing date has been set and whether any payments have been recorded on the case.

How to Pay a Hobart Traffic Ticket

Hobart City Court handles payments by phone, in person, and potentially online depending on your case type. Contact the court first to confirm the best payment method for your specific ticket.

In person: Visit 705 E 4th Street, Suite C, during regular business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Bring your ticket or case number. The court accepts cash and likely money orders for in-person payments. Confirm accepted forms when you call ahead.

By phone: Call 219-942-8218 and ask the clerk about payment options for your case. They can tell you whether online payment through the state portal is available for your ticket type and give you the information you need to complete it.

Online (state portal): The Indiana Judicial Branch payment portal at https://public.courts.in.gov/pay/ covers many Hobart City Court cases. You need a case number. Enter it in the search box, find your case, and pay by card. Confirm with the court first that your specific case type is set up for online payment.

Traffic infractions in Indiana give you a deadline to respond. If that date passes without action, your case can go to default judgment. Under IC 9-30-10, failing to comply with a traffic citation can result in license suspension. Call 219-942-8218 before your deadline if you are unsure what to do.

Contesting a Hobart Traffic Ticket

You have the right to contest any traffic citation issued in Hobart. The process starts with notifying the court that you deny the violation.

Call 219-942-8218 or visit the court in person and ask to set a court date. The clerk will schedule you for one of the weekly court sessions. Monday evenings at 6 p.m. and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. are the primary sessions for traffic matters. Confirm which session applies to your case when the clerk sets your date.

On your court date, appear before Judge Nugent and explain why you believe the citation was issued in error. The officer may also be present. If you have evidence, bring it. Photos, dashcam footage, and witnesses all help. If the officer fails to appear, cases are often dismissed. Come prepared and arrive on time. The evening session at 6 p.m. on Mondays can be a good option for people who work during the day.

Speed violations fall under IC 9-21-5. Indiana uses absolute limits, so the speed shown on the radar is what matters. OWI charges under IC 9-30-5 are criminal and require a court appearance. You cannot simply pay an OWI ticket online.

Driving Record and BMV Points

Every moving violation conviction in Indiana adds points to your driving record at the BMV. Minor speeding adds 2 points. Reckless driving adds 8. At 18 points in two years, the BMV suspends your license.

After a conviction in Hobart City Court, the court sends the record to the BMV. You can see your current point total and full driving history at mybmv.com. A certified copy of your driving record costs $4. You can order it online or get it at any BMV branch.

If your license is suspended, operating a vehicle adds a separate charge under IC 9-25-8. This can extend your suspension and add more legal problems. Check your status at mybmv.com before driving if there is any question about whether your license is currently valid.

Local Resources in Hobart

Hobart is in Lake County, about 10 miles south of Gary and 15 miles from the Illinois border. County-level legal resources are also accessible from Hobart.

Indiana Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying Lake County residents. If your case has turned into a misdemeanor or your license is at risk, call 1-800-869-0212 to check eligibility. They can advise you on your rights before a court hearing.

The Lake County Clerk's Office at lakecountyin.gov handles county-wide court records. If you have a question about a case that may have been routed to a Lake County Superior Court rather than Hobart City Court, the Clerk can help distinguish which court has your file.

The Indiana BMV has a branch in Merrillville, a short drive from Hobart. You can check your license status, get a certified driving record, or begin the reinstatement process there. Check mybmv.com for current hours before visiting.

The Indiana State Bar Association's lawyer referral service at (317) 269-2222 can help you find a local attorney. For misdemeanor charges or cases involving license suspension, legal advice before your hearing date is a smart step.

Indiana Payment Portal

The Indiana courts payment site allows online payment for many Hobart City Court cases. The screenshot below shows what the portal looks like when you access it.

Enter your case number in the search box to find your case. Select it from the results, review the amount due, and pay by debit or credit card. Save the confirmation number when the transaction is done. Contact the court at 219-942-8218 if the payment does not appear in MyCase within two business days.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Hobart also have traffic ticket records searchable through Lake County courts and the MyCase system.