>Adams County Arrest Records Online

Adams County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Adams County, Ohio?

Arrest records in Adams County, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be made available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The maintenance of public access to these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of governmental functions
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors

The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligations. While certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, the fundamental arrest data remains accessible to interested parties through established channels.

Adams County Sheriff's Office
110 West Main Street
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: 937-544-3441
Adams County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Adams County?

Adams County arrest records are available through digital platforms maintained by county agencies. Pursuant to Ohio's commitment to government transparency, the county has implemented electronic systems that allow for remote access to public records, including those related to arrests and incarcerations. These digital repositories are regularly updated to reflect current information.

The primary online resources for accessing Adams County arrest records include:

The Adams County Sheriff's Office website, which provides a searchable database of recent arrests
The Adams County Clerk of Courts portal, which contains information on cases proceeding through the judicial system
Third-party aggregators that compile public records from multiple jurisdictions

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require formal requests through official channels. Online systems may also experience periodic maintenance or updates that temporarily affect accessibility.

How to Look Up Adams County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methodologies exist for obtaining arrest records in Adams County as of 2025. Interested parties may utilize any of the following procedures in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Adams County Sheriff's Office during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) to submit a records request. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. A valid government-issued identification is required when submitting requests in person.

Mail Requests: Written requests may be directed to the Records Division at the Adams County Sheriff's Office. Such requests should include:

Full name of the subject
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Purpose of the request
Return address and contact information
Required fees (currently $5.00 per record)

Electronic Requests: The Adams County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic portal through which certain arrest records may be accessed. Users must create an account and may be subject to nominal processing fees for document retrieval. The system allows searches by name, case number, or date range.

Adams County Clerk of Courts
110 West Main Street
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: 937-544-2344
Adams County Clerk of Courts

Contents of an Adams County Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Adams County law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and subsequent processing. These records typically include the following components as mandated by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Social security number (partially redacted in public versions)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory violations cited (Ohio Revised Code references)
Arresting agency and officer identification
Circumstances leading to the arrest
Presence of weapons or contraband
Use of force documentation, if applicable

Processing Information:

Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint classification data
Property inventory
Medical screening results
Temporary detention assignment

Case Disposition:

Initial appearance information
Bond determination
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Transfer to other jurisdictions, if applicable

Pursuant to Ohio law, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including juvenile information, victim identifiers in sensitive cases, and medical details protected under HIPAA regulations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Adams County

The expungement process in Adams County provides a legal mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition for the sealing of arrest records. This procedure is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in a formal charge
Charges were dismissed prior to trial
The individual was acquitted of all charges
The conviction was subsequently overturned on appeal
The individual has completed all requirements of a diversion program
The conviction qualifies as an eligible offense under state law

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File an application with the Adams County Court of Common Pleas
Pay the required filing fee (currently $50.00)
Submit to a background check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Attend a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge
Demonstrate rehabilitation and justification for the expungement

If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal the records, removing them from public access. Law enforcement agencies retain limited access to sealed records for specific statutory purposes. The Adams County Clerk of Courts processes these applications and maintains the sealed records in accordance with court orders.

Adams County Court of Common Pleas
110 West Main Street
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: 937-544-2344