Bedford Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bedford, Ohio?
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, arrest records are public documents in Bedford, Ohio. The Ohio Public Records Act establishes that all records maintained by public offices, including law enforcement agencies, are subject to public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. This statutory framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.
Members of the public may request arrest records from the Bedford Police Department or other relevant law enforcement agencies. These records are maintained as part of the official documentation of police activities and are generally available during regular business hours. The Ohio Public Records Act does not require requesters to identify themselves, state the reason for their request, or make the request in writing, though certain agencies may have specific procedures for efficiently processing requests.
It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain information contained within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and exemptions outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1). Such exemptions may include confidential law enforcement investigatory records, information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel, and certain personal identifying information.
How to Look Up Bedford Arrest Records in 2025
The Bedford Police Department maintains comprehensive arrest records that are accessible through multiple channels. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize the following methods:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Bedford Police Department located at 165 Center Road, Bedford, OH 44146. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written requests can be mailed to the Bedford Police Department, Records Division, 165 Center Road, Bedford, OH 44146. Requesters should include specific information such as the name of the arrested individual, date of arrest (if known), and case number (if available).
Electronic requests may be submitted through the official public records request portal on the City of Bedford website. This system allows for efficient processing of records requests and electronic delivery of documents when feasible.
Telephone inquiries regarding arrest records may be directed to the Records Division at (440) 232-1234. However, certain records may require in-person inspection or written requests.
The Bedford Municipal Court also maintains records related to arrests within its jurisdiction. Court records may be accessed at the Bedford Municipal Court Clerk's Office, located at 165 Center Road, Bedford, OH 44146, or through the court's online case access system.
Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, requesters seeking certified copies of arrest records may be required to pay a reasonable fee to cover the cost of reproduction. Current fee schedules are available at the Bedford Police Department Records Division.
Contents of a Bedford Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Bedford Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and individuals involved in an arrest. In accordance with Ohio law enforcement standards and the Ohio Criminal Rules of Procedure, these records generally include:
Demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence.
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including the street address or intersection where the apprehension occurred.
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including the specific Ohio Revised Code sections allegedly violated and the classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor).
Identity of the arresting agency and the badge numbers or identifiers of the officers involved in the arrest.
Case number assigned by the Bedford Police Department for administrative tracking purposes.
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots") taken during the processing of the arrested individual.
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process, which are subsequently submitted to state and federal criminal identification databases.
Narrative reports prepared by arresting officers detailing the probable cause for the arrest and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Property inventory listing items in the arrested individual's possession at the time of booking.
Record of preliminary court appearances, including arraignment information and bail determinations.
It should be noted that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it pertains to ongoing investigations or contains confidential informant information. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different disclosure rules under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Bedford
The State of Ohio provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, individuals may petition for the sealing of records related to arrests that did not result in conviction or for convictions after specified waiting periods have elapsed.
The Bedford Municipal Court has jurisdiction over expungement applications for misdemeanor arrests and convictions that occurred within its territorial jurisdiction. For felony matters, applications must be filed with the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas located at 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Bedford include:
For arrests not resulting in conviction: Individuals may apply for expungement immediately following the dismissal of charges or acquittal.
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must have completed all terms of their sentence and observed a one-year waiting period from the date of final discharge.
For felony convictions: Applicants must have completed all terms of their sentence and observed a three-year waiting period from the date of final discharge.
Individuals with more than one felony conviction, certain violent offenses, or offenses where the victim was under 18 years of age may face additional restrictions or ineligibility as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.36.
The expungement process requires the submission of a formal application to the appropriate court, payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors at the Bedford Municipal Court), and attendance at a hearing where a judge will determine whether the applicant meets the statutory requirements for record sealing. If granted, the expungement order directs all governmental agencies, including the Bedford Police Department, to seal the records from public view.
It should be noted that pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D), certain governmental agencies retain limited access to sealed records for specific purposes, including law enforcement investigations and employment screening for sensitive positions.
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