Yes, arrest records are public in Butler County, Ohio. This accessibility is mandated by the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43), which ensures that government records, including arrest records, are available to the public. The Act promotes transparency and accountability within governmental operations by allowing citizens to access various types of administrative documents. Pursuant to Ohio law, these records must be made available for inspection during regular business hours at the relevant government offices, and copies may be requested for a reasonable fee.
The Butler County Clerk of Courts maintains official records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit a public records request to the appropriate agency. The Butler County Sheriff's Office also maintains arrest records and booking information for individuals processed through their facilities.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Butler County. The county provides digital databases that facilitate access to these records for public viewing. This online availability ensures that individuals can obtain necessary information conveniently and efficiently without visiting government offices in person.
The Butler County Area Courts Record Search system allows users to search for case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Additionally, the Butler County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of current inmates and recent bookings. These digital resources are updated regularly to provide timely information to the public.
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete historical records, and some older arrest records may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Furthermore, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records in accordance with Ohio privacy laws.
To obtain Butler County arrest records in 2025, several official channels are available to members of the public. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility:
Visit the Butler County Sheriff's Office in person to request physical copies of arrest records. Butler County Sheriff's Office 705 Hanover Street Hamilton, OH 45011 513-785-1000 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Butler County Clerk of Courts website to search for arrest records that have resulted in court cases. Butler County Clerk of Courts 315 High Street Hamilton, OH 45011 513-887-3278 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Butler County Area Courts Record Search portal to view digital copies of court records related to arrests.
Submit a formal public records request through the Butler County Commissioners Office if the information is not readily available through other channels. Butler County Commissioners Office 315 High Street, 6th Floor Hamilton, OH 45011 513-887-3159 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Contact the Court of Common Pleas if the arrest has led to a felony case; court clerks can provide records associated with judicial proceedings. Butler County Court of Common Pleas 315 High Street Hamilton, OH 45011 513-887-3000 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide identifying information such as the full name of the person, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate the search process. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at all reasonable times during regular business hours.
A Butler County arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:
It should be noted that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, records related to juvenile arrests are generally not available to the public unless specifically ordered by the Butler County Juvenile Court.
In Butler County, individuals who meet specific criteria may petition for the expungement of their arrest records under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953. This legal process, also known as sealing of records, removes arrest information from public access, though the records remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by law.
Eligibility requirements for expungement in Butler County include:
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Butler County Court of Common Pleas or the Butler County Area Courts, depending on where the case was originally heard. The court will schedule a hearing to determine if the applicant meets all statutory requirements and whether justice would be served by granting the expungement.
If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies, including the Butler County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the FBI, to seal the records. After expungement, the individual may legally state that the arrest never occurred in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain professional licensing applications and law enforcement inquiries.