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Shaker Heights Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Shaker Heights, Ohio?

Arrest records in Shaker Heights, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The statute ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to access information regarding law enforcement activities within their community.

The Shaker Heights Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking information about arrests may obtain these records through established procedures. The Ohio Public Records Act stipulates that public agencies must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours and make copies available at cost within a reasonable period.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would compromise public safety. These exceptions are narrowly defined by statute and judicial interpretation to preserve the general principle of open access to governmental records.

How to Look Up Shaker Heights Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Shaker Heights. The Shaker Heights Police Department maintains these records and provides several access options for the public's convenience. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following procedures:

Visit the Shaker Heights Police Department in person at 3355 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Access the online police reports database through the official city portal, which allows for remote searching of public arrest records.
Submit a written request via mail to: Records Division, Shaker Heights Police Department, 3355 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120.
Complete the Police Records Request form available on the city's website for specific incident information.
Contact the Records Division by telephone at (216) 491-1220 for assistance with record requests.

When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific record sought, including the name of the arrested individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection and make copies available at cost within a reasonable period.

Contents of a Shaker Heights Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Shaker Heights Police Department contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. These documents typically include the following elements as required by Ohio law and departmental procedures:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed against the individual
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and photographs
Custody status and bail or bond information
Case disposition if available
Incident report number for reference purposes

The Shaker Heights Municipal Court, located at 3355 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, maintains additional records related to court proceedings following arrests. These records may include arraignment information, plea entries, and case outcomes. The court clerk's office is accessible by phone at (216) 491-1300 for inquiries regarding court records related to arrests.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Shaker Heights, certain statutory restrictions limit access to specific categories of records. The Ohio Revised Code establishes several exemptions to public disclosure requirements that the Shaker Heights Police Department must observe:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14 and are not available for public inspection except under limited circumstances.
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2) if disclosure would impede law enforcement activities.
Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel may be redacted from public records.
Certain personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, may be redacted to protect privacy interests.
Records sealed by court order following expungement proceedings are removed from public access.

The Shaker Heights Police Department evaluates each record request in accordance with these statutory provisions. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the department will redact the exempt portions and release the remainder as required by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Shaker Heights

The expungement process in Shaker Heights allows eligible individuals to have arrest records sealed from public view. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, certain arrest records may qualify for expungement if statutory criteria are met. The Shaker Heights Municipal Court administers this process for cases within its jurisdiction.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Shaker Heights include:

For non-conviction records: Individuals may apply at any time after the case concludes with dismissal or acquittal.
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge from all penalties.
For certain felony convictions: A three-year waiting period applies after final discharge.
First-time offenders receive priority consideration under Ohio law.
Individuals with multiple convictions face more stringent eligibility requirements.

The expungement application process requires:

Filing a petition with the Shaker Heights Municipal Court (for misdemeanors) or Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas (for felonies)
Payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors at the Municipal Court)
Completion of a background check
Attendance at a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all governmental agencies, including the Shaker Heights Police Department, to seal the relevant records. Once sealed, these records are no longer accessible to the general public but remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records from Shaker Heights may be utilized for background verification purposes in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Ohio law establish parameters for the use of criminal history information in employment and housing decisions.

When conducting background checks using Shaker Heights arrest records, the following regulations apply:

Employers must obtain written consent before accessing arrest record information for employment purposes.
Housing providers must comply with fair housing laws when utilizing arrest information in tenant screening.
Financial institutions may access arrest records when evaluating loan applications, subject to regulatory restrictions.
Volunteer organizations working with vulnerable populations may conduct background checks on potential volunteers.

The Shaker Heights Police Department does not provide interpretation of arrest records or make recommendations regarding their use in decision-making processes. Organizations utilizing these records for background verification purposes bear responsibility for compliance with all applicable laws governing their use.

Users of arrest record information should note that an arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission advises that employment decisions should not be based solely on arrest records without convictions, as this practice may have a disparate impact on protected classes.

Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal History Reports

Arrest records and comprehensive criminal history reports represent distinct categories of documentation within the Shaker Heights criminal justice system. Understanding these differences is essential for individuals seeking accurate information:

Arrest records document specific incidents of detention by law enforcement and typically contain information about a single event.
Criminal history reports compile multiple interactions with the justice system, including arrests, charges, court appearances, and case dispositions.
Arrest records are maintained primarily by the Shaker Heights Police Department at 3355 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120.
Complete criminal history information requires coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.
Arrest records may not reflect subsequent case dismissals or acquittals unless specifically updated.
Criminal history reports attempt to provide the full context and outcome of each case.

For comprehensive criminal background information, individuals may need to contact multiple agencies, including:

Shaker Heights Police Department: (216) 491-1220
Shaker Heights Municipal Court: (216) 491-1300
Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts: (216) 443-7950
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation: (877) 224-0043

Each agency maintains different components of an individual's criminal history, and complete information may require coordination between these entities.