Ohio Arrest Records
Is Ohio an Open Arrest Records State?
Ohio is considered an open arrest records state pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes the state's public records law. Under this statute, arrest records are classified as public records and are generally accessible to members of the public. The state maintains this policy to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system, promote accountability among law enforcement agencies, and provide citizens with access to information that may affect public safety.
The Ohio Public Records Act stipulates that public offices must promptly prepare and make available for inspection all public records, including arrest records, during regular business hours. Requestors are not required to identify themselves or provide a reason for their request. However, certain sensitive information contained within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy rights, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical information
- Juvenile records (in most circumstances)
- Information related to ongoing investigations
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), operating under the Ohio Attorney General's Office, serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state. While the BCI maintains comprehensive criminal history records, access to these records through the BCI is restricted to authorized entities for specific purposes as outlined in Ohio law.
Ohio Attorney General's Office - Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1560 State Route 56 SW
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2000
Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
How to Look Up Ohio Arrest Records in 2025
In 2025, Ohio residents and other interested parties have multiple avenues to access arrest records throughout the state. The Ohio Public Records Act ensures that these records remain accessible to the public through various channels. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:
- County Sheriff's Offices: Each county sheriff maintains records of arrests made within their jurisdiction. These records can typically be requested in person, by mail, or through online portals where available.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
369 S. High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 525-3333
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Municipal Police Departments: Local police departments maintain arrest records for incidents within city limits. Many departments now offer online search capabilities.
Cleveland Division of Police Records Unit
1300 Ontario Street, 5th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 623-5080
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- County Clerk of Courts: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained by the clerk of courts in each county.
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
1000 Main Street, Room 315
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 946-5656
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Court Dockets: Many Ohio counties maintain searchable online databases of court records, which include information about arrests and case dispositions. For example, the Butler County Area Courts Record Search provides public access to court records.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: For information about individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision, the ODRC maintains an Offender Search database that is accessible to the public.
When requesting arrest records, members of the public should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the individual's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Some agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying or certifying records as permitted under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1).
Contents of an Ohio Arrest Record
Ohio arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by state regulations and law enforcement protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest. A typical Ohio arrest record includes the following components:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases or known nicknames, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as scars or tattoos.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); and circumstances leading to the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Ohio law for which the individual was arrested, including statute numbers and offense descriptions.
Booking Information: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and processing details including the facility where the individual was detained.
Case Disposition: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, court appearances, and the ultimate resolution of the case if available.
Agency Information: Contact details for the law enforcement agency that made the arrest and the court handling the case.
It should be noted that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, certain arrest records may be sealed or expunged under specific circumstances, rendering them inaccessible through standard public records requests. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are generally not available to the public unless the juvenile was bound over to adult court.
Understanding the Ohio Open Records Act
The Ohio Open Records Act, codified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, establishes the framework for public access to government records, including arrest records. This legislation is founded on the principle that government transparency is essential to a functioning democracy and that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities.
Under this Act, a "public record" is defined as any record kept by any public office, including state, county, city, village, township, and school district units. This definition encompasses records maintained by law enforcement agencies regarding arrests and criminal investigations, with certain exceptions.
Key provisions of the Ohio Open Records Act include:
Prompt Access: Public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours and make copies available within a reasonable period.
Format Options: Records must be provided in the medium requested if the public office can reasonably comply.
Reasonable Fees: Public offices may charge only the actual cost of making copies, not including labor costs for employee time.
No Identification Requirement: Requestors are not required to identify themselves or explain why they want the records.
Redaction Requirements: If a record contains both public and exempt information, the public office must make available the non-exempt portions.
Exceptions relevant to arrest records include:
- Confidential law enforcement investigatory records that would disclose the identity of an uncharged suspect
- Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel, crime victims, witnesses, or confidential informants
- Specific investigative techniques or procedures
- Information that would create a high probability of disclosing the identity of a confidential source
The Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 provides the complete statutory framework for public records access in Ohio.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Ohio
Ohio law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances, as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61. The process of expungement (legally referred to as "sealing" in Ohio) allows eligible individuals to have their arrest records removed from public view, though the records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Ohio include:
First Offenders: Individuals with no more than one felony conviction, two misdemeanor convictions, or one felony and one misdemeanor conviction may be eligible.
Waiting Periods: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge for misdemeanors and three years for felonies before applying.
Ineligible Offenses: Certain offenses, including most violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses where the victim was under 18 years of age, are ineligible for expungement.
Arrests Without Conviction: If an individual was arrested but not convicted (case dismissed, not guilty verdict, or no bill from grand jury), they may apply for expungement immediately.
The expungement process involves:
- Filing an application with the court where the case was prosecuted
- Payment of a filing fee (which may be waived for indigent applicants)
- Criminal background check
- Court hearing
- Judicial determination based on statutory criteria
If granted, an expungement order directs all public offices and agencies to seal the records. The individual may then legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances.
For detailed guidance on record sealing and rights restoration, the Ohio Supreme Court provides comprehensive information in their Adult Rights Restoration & Record Sealing publication.
How to Find Local Arrests in Ohio
Members of the public seeking information about recent local arrests in Ohio have several resources available to them. These resources provide timely information about law enforcement activities within specific jurisdictions and can be accessed through various channels.
County and municipal law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio maintain records of recent arrests that are generally available to the public. Many agencies now provide online booking logs or arrest reports that are updated regularly. For example:
Miami County Sheriff's Office
201 W. Main Street
Troy, OH 45373
(937) 440-6085
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Public Access Records
Additional resources for locating information about local arrests include:
County Court Websites: Many county courts maintain online dockets that can be searched by name or case number to find recent arrest information.
Local Newspaper Police Blotters: Many local newspapers publish regular updates on police activities, including arrests, based on information provided by law enforcement agencies.
County Jail Inmate Rosters: Most county jails maintain publicly accessible rosters of current inmates, which include information about recent arrests.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: The ODRC maintains a searchable database of individuals currently in state custody or under supervision.
When searching for arrest information, members of the public should be aware that the information available may be limited by privacy laws and ongoing investigation exemptions as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. Additionally, the accuracy and timeliness of arrest information may vary by jurisdiction and platform.
Ohio Attorney General's Criminal Records Request
Miami County Public Records Access
Butler County Court Records Search
Ohio Record Sealing Guidelines
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
