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Cleveland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cleveland, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Cleveland, Ohio, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This legislation classifies most government records, including those pertaining to arrests, as public information accessible to any person. The statute establishes that law enforcement agencies must maintain transparency in their operations by making arrest information available for public inspection during regular business hours.

The Cleveland Division of Police maintains these records in accordance with state law and departmental policies. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit requests through designated channels established by the Division. While certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions, the fundamental record of an arrest remains public information.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic functions, including:

Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
Facilitating informed public discourse on criminal justice matters
Enabling background checks for employment and housing purposes
Supporting journalistic and academic research on crime patterns

How to Look Up Cleveland Arrest Records in 2025

The Cleveland Division of Police maintains multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Requestors may utilize the following methods to obtain this information:

Online Access Options

The Cleveland Division of Police Public Records portal provides electronic access to arrest records. Users must complete the online form specifying the information sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest. Processing times vary based on request volume and complexity.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests in person at:

Cleveland Division of Police Records Section
1300 Ontario Street, 1st Floor
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 623-5080
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Cleveland Division of Police

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Section address listed above. All written requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Case number (if available)
Requestor's contact information

Cleveland Municipal Court Records

The Cleveland Municipal Court maintains a separate database of arrest records related to cases processed through its system:

Cleveland Municipal Court
Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 664-4800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Contents of a Cleveland Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Cleveland Division of Police contain specific categories of information as mandated by Ohio Administrative Code § 4501:2-10-06. These records typically include:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Address at time of arrest

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing information
Statutory violations cited at time of arrest
Incident report number

Case Processing Information

Initial court appearance date
Bond amount and conditions (if applicable)
Case disposition (if resolved)
Court case number

Biometric Data

Fingerprint classification
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Other identifying information collected during processing

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Medical information
Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation
Juvenile records (subject to separate statutory provisions)

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cleveland

The State of Ohio provides legal mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61. Individuals meeting statutory criteria may petition the court to remove arrest information from public access.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for expungement in Cleveland is determined by several factors:

For arrests not resulting in conviction: Individuals may apply for expungement one year after the case conclusion
For minor misdemeanor convictions: Eligible one year after completion of sentence
For other misdemeanors: Eligible one year after completion of sentence
For certain felonies: Eligible three years after completion of sentence
For first-time offenders: Special provisions may apply under § 2953.32

Individuals with multiple convictions or those convicted of certain offenses (including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors) face additional restrictions or may be ineligible for expungement.

Application Process

The expungement process requires:

Filing an application with the court of original jurisdiction
Payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors, $100 for felonies)
Fingerprinting at an approved facility
Attendance at a scheduled hearing
Judicial determination of eligibility

Applications are processed through:

Cleveland Municipal Court - Expungement Department
Justice Center, Room 6A
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 664-4790
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an expungement is granted, the court issues an order directing all public agencies to seal the record. Once sealed, the record is removed from public access and the individual may legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances. However, certain government agencies retain limited access to sealed records for specific purposes as outlined in § 2953.32(D).