>Ashland County Arrest Records Online

Ashland County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ashland County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Ashland County, Ohio, 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 accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in government functions serves the public interest and promotes accountability.

The Ashland County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit requests to the records division during regular business hours. Requestors are not required to identify themselves or state the purpose of their inquiry, as stipulated in ORC § 149.43(B)(4).

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Ohio law, including:

Social Security numbers
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information pertaining to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (subject to separate regulations under ORC § 2151.14)
Information that would endanger law enforcement personnel

The Ashland County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within the county jurisdiction.

Ashland County Sheriff's Office
1205 East Main Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 289-3911
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ashland County?

Ashland County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals. The county has implemented electronic record-keeping systems in accordance with Ohio's commitment to government transparency and public information accessibility as outlined in ORC § 149.43(B)(6), which encourages public offices to maintain records in formats that facilitate prompt access.

The Ashland County Clerk of Courts maintains an online database that includes:

Case information for individuals processed through the county court system
Booking information and current inmate status
Court appearances and scheduled hearings
Case dispositions and outcomes

Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive or immediately updated. Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 143-1-01, government agencies must make reasonable efforts to maintain current information, but processing delays may occur. Additionally, certain sensitive cases or those under seal by judicial order may not appear in online databases.

For comprehensive searches, the Ashland County government portal provides links to various departmental resources. Records available online typically date back to approximately 2005, when the county implemented its digital record-keeping system.

How to Look Up Ashland County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Ashland County have multiple methods available for conducting searches in 2025. Each method varies in terms of comprehensiveness, processing time, and associated fees as established under ORC § 149.43(B)(1).

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Ashland County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 1205 East Main Street, Ashland, OH 44805
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (excluding county holidays)
Complete a public records request form (identification not required per ORC § 149.43(B)(4))
Standard processing time is 3-5 business days for non-expedited requests

Online Access:

Navigate to the Ashland County Sheriff's Office website
Access the public records portal through the "Records" section
Search parameters include name, date of arrest, and case number
Digital copies may be available for immediate download or email delivery

Written Requests:

Submit formal written requests to:

Ashland County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
1205 East Main Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Include specific information such as full name, approximate date of arrest, and case number (if known)
Pursuant to ORC § 149.43(B)(7), the county may charge reasonable fees for copying costs, not for the search itself

Third-Party Services:

Commercial record search services aggregate public data from multiple jurisdictions
These services may offer additional search parameters but typically charge service fees
Information obtained through third parties should be verified through official channels

Requestors should note that pursuant to ORC § 149.43(B)(2), if a request is denied, the public office must provide an explanation citing the specific legal authority for denial.

Contents of an Ashland County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Ashland County Sheriff's Office contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06 and local record-keeping protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following components:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender and race (for identification purposes)
Residential address at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory charges filed (Ohio Revised Code citations)
Incident report number and booking reference
Weapon involvement (if applicable)
Property seized during arrest (pursuant to ORC § 2981.11)

Processing Information:

Booking photographs (mugshots) taken from front and profile views
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Detention facility assignment
Bail or bond information
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if resolved)

Additional Documentation:

Arresting officer's narrative report
Witness statements (with appropriate redactions)
Evidence inventory
Related warrant information
Prior criminal history within jurisdiction

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, investigative requirements, and procedural compliance. Pursuant to ORC § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain investigatory work product may be withheld if disclosure would create a high probability of disclosure of specific investigatory techniques or procedures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ashland County

The expungement process in Ashland County provides a legal mechanism for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as authorized by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. This procedure effectively removes eligible records from public access while maintaining them for limited official use.

Eligibility Criteria:

First-time offenders who have completed all court-ordered requirements
Individuals whose charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Persons arrested but never formally charged
Specific offense categories as defined in ORC § 2953.36
Completion of mandatory waiting periods (typically 1-3 years depending on offense level)

Application Process:

File a petition with the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas
Court filing fee of $50 (as of 2025) must accompany the petition
Include certified copies of case disposition documents
Submit to background check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Ashland County Court of Common Pleas
142 West Second Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 282-4220
Official Website

Legal Considerations:

Pursuant to ORC § 2953.32(C)(1), the court must determine if the applicant is a first-time offender or eligible offender
The court evaluates whether criminal proceedings are pending against the applicant
Prosecutors may file objections within 30 days of petition filing
Judicial review considers rehabilitation evidence and public interest factors

Effect of Expungement:

Records are removed from public access and sealed by court order
Law enforcement agencies retain access for specific authorized purposes
Expunged arrests need not be disclosed on most employment applications
Certain professional licensing boards and government agencies maintain statutory access rights

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves legal complexities. The court may schedule a hearing to evaluate the petition, during which the applicant may present evidence supporting rehabilitation and the public interest in sealing the record.