>Champaign County Arrest Records Online

Champaign County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Champaign County, Ohio?

Arrest records in Champaign 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 most government records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, are considered public information. The Ohio Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to records documenting official activities.

Members of the public may request and obtain copies of arrest records from the appropriate custodial agencies without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request. However, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with statutory exemptions designed to protect sensitive information such as social security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to ongoing investigations as outlined in ORC § 149.43(A)(1).

The Champaign County Sheriff's Office maintains the primary repository of arrest records for unincorporated areas of the county, while municipal police departments maintain records for arrests within their jurisdictions.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Champaign County?

Digital access to Champaign County arrest records is available through several authorized platforms. The Champaign County Common Pleas Court provides an online portal where members of the public may search for case information related to arrests that have resulted in formal charges. This system, implemented pursuant to the court's administrative authority under Ohio Rules of Superintendence, allows for remote access to public judicial records.

The online availability of arrest records is subject to certain limitations established by Ohio law. Records may not be immediately accessible following an arrest due to processing time requirements. Additionally, pursuant to ORC § 149.43(B)(8), certain records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure until the investigation is complete or until the withholding is no longer necessary to protect the investigation.

Digital access systems are maintained in accordance with security protocols established by the Ohio Court Network and local administrative rules. These systems are regularly updated to ensure compliance with current public records laws and technological standards.

How to Look Up Champaign County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Champaign County. Individuals seeking these records may utilize any of the following methods:

Online Court Records Portal: The Champaign County Circuit Clerk maintains a searchable database of court cases, including those stemming from arrests. This system allows searches by name, case number, or filing date.
Sheriff's Office Records Division: In-person requests may be submitted at the Champaign County Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Champaign County Sheriff's Office
312 E. Court Street
Urbana, OH 43078
(937) 484-6091
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Municipal Court Records: For arrests resulting in misdemeanor charges, records may be obtained from the Champaign County Municipal Court.

Champaign County Municipal Court
205 S. Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078
(937) 484-1102
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Common Pleas Court: For felony cases, the Champaign County Common Pleas Court maintains records accessible to the public.

Champaign County Common Pleas Court
200 N. Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078
(937) 484-1000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to ORC § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection and make copies available within a reasonable period of time. Standard fees for copies may apply in accordance with the fee schedule established by each agency.

Contents of a Champaign County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Champaign County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records are standardized in accordance with Ohio Criminal Justice Information System requirements and generally include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address of residence
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority for the arrest
- Circumstances leading to the arrest
Criminal charges:
- Ohio Revised Code sections allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony or misdemeanor)
- Degree of offense
Case processing information:
- Court case number
- Bail or bond amount and conditions
- Detention facility information
- Initial appearance date
Disposition information:
- Court proceedings and outcomes
- Sentencing details if convicted

The Champaign County Family Court maintains separate records for juvenile arrests, which are subject to different confidentiality provisions under Ohio law. Pursuant to ORC § 2151.14, juvenile records are not public records and access is restricted to parties to the case, their attorneys, and other authorized individuals.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Champaign County

The expungement process in Champaign County allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific statutory conditions. Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36 governs the eligibility criteria and procedures for expungement, which is officially termed "sealing of records" under Ohio law.

Individuals may petition for expungement if they meet the following criteria:

First-time offenders may apply for expungement one year after final discharge for misdemeanors and three years after final discharge for felonies.
Individuals with multiple convictions may face additional waiting periods as specified in ORC § 2953.31(A).
Certain offenses, including most violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement under ORC § 2953.36.

The expungement application process requires:

Filing a petition with the Champaign County Common Pleas Court for felony arrests or the Municipal Court for misdemeanor arrests
Payment of filing fees (approximately $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies)
Completion of a criminal background check
Attendance at a hearing before the presiding judge

Upon successful expungement, pursuant to ORC § 2953.32(C)(2), the proceedings in the case shall be considered not to have occurred, and the record is sealed from public view. However, law enforcement agencies and certain employers required by law to conduct background checks may still access sealed records under limited circumstances.

The Champaign County Prosecutor's Office reviews all expungement applications and may object based on statutory grounds or public interest considerations.

Champaign County Prosecutor's Office
200 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor
Urbana, OH 43078
(937) 484-1900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM