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Woodmere Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Woodmere, Ohio?

Arrest records in Woodmere, 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 inspection by any person during regular business hours. The Village of Woodmere maintains these records in compliance with state retention schedules as mandated by Ohio law and federal consent decrees governing police department operations.

The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability of law enforcement agencies. Members of the public may request these records without providing identification or stating the purpose of their inquiry, as stipulated in ORC § 149.43(B)(4). Records custodians in Woodmere are required to promptly prepare these documents for inspection and provide copies at cost when requested.

How to Look Up Woodmere Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records from the Village of Woodmere in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Submit a public records request directly to the Woodmere Police Department located at 27899 Chagrin Boulevard, Woodmere, OH 44122. Requests may be made in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM), by telephone at (216) 831-1234, or via written correspondence.
Access the Woodmere Village website to submit an electronic public records request through the designated portal. The village administration maintains digital archives of public safety records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(7).
Contact the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts at 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, or via their online portal for cases that have proceeded to court proceedings. The Clerk maintains records of all criminal cases within the county jurisdiction, including those originating in Woodmere.
Utilize the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system for information regarding individuals currently in custody following arrests in Woodmere and other municipalities within the county.

Pursuant to Ohio law, requestors may be charged reasonable fees for copies of records but not for inspection of records. Standard fees in Woodmere are $0.05 per page for black and white copies and $0.10 per page for color copies as established by municipal ordinance.

Contents of a Woodmere Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Woodmere Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4501:2-10 and local record-keeping protocols. These official documents typically include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, address of residence, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, and hair color.
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest within Woodmere village boundaries.
Statutory citation and narrative description of the alleged offense(s) for which the individual was taken into custody.
Identity and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and supervising law enforcement personnel.
Booking information including fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), and unique identifier numbers assigned within the Woodmere Police Department and Cuyahoga County criminal justice systems.
Disposition information indicating whether the individual was released on bond, detained pending arraignment, or transferred to county custody.
Property inventory detailing items in the arrested individual's possession at the time of booking.

These records are maintained in both physical and electronic formats at the Woodmere Police Department in compliance with the federal consent decree governing departmental operations and Ohio public records retention schedules.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Woodmere

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Woodmere operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by state and federal statutes. The primary governing authorities include:

Ohio Public Records Act (ORC § 149.43) which establishes the presumption of openness for all public records including those related to arrests.
Ohio Criminal Rule 4, which governs arrest procedures and the documentation required when law enforcement officers take individuals into custody.
The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), which provides certain protections for personal information while still allowing for the public nature of arrest records.
Village of Woodmere Ordinance 220.05, which establishes local protocols for record maintenance and public access in accordance with state requirements.

The Cuyahoga County government provides oversight and coordination of criminal justice information systems that incorporate Woodmere arrest data into countywide databases. This integration ensures that records are properly maintained and accessible through multiple governmental channels while adhering to applicable privacy protections.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Woodmere are generally public, certain statutory exceptions and judicial orders may limit access to specific information. These limitations include:

Records pertaining to juveniles (under 18 years of age) are subject to restricted access pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14 and are not available through standard public records requests.
Information regarding victims of certain offenses, particularly those of a sensitive nature such as sexual assault, may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(v).
Records that have been sealed or expunged by judicial order are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Ongoing investigation exemptions may temporarily restrict access to arrest records when disclosure would impede active law enforcement proceedings as determined by the Woodmere Police Department in consultation with the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Medical and mental health information contained within arrest records is protected under both state and federal privacy laws and is typically redacted from public copies.

The Woodmere Police Department, in accordance with Ohio Auditor requirements, maintains written policies governing these exceptions and the procedures for reviewing and redacting protected information prior to public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Woodmere

The expungement process in Woodmere follows Ohio statutory provisions that allow for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet the following criteria:

The case resulted in a dismissal, no bill from the grand jury, or an acquittal at trial.
For convictions, sufficient time has elapsed since the completion of all sentencing requirements (typically one year for misdemeanors and three years for eligible felonies).
The offense in question is eligible for expungement under state law (certain serious offenses and offenses of violence are ineligible).
The petitioner has no pending criminal charges and has demonstrated rehabilitation to the satisfaction of the court.

Applications for expungement must be filed with the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas or Woodmere Mayor's Court, depending on which court handled the original case. The application fee is $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies, though fee waivers are available for indigent applicants.

Upon granting of an expungement order, the Woodmere Police Department is legally obligated to remove the records from public access and respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred, except in specific circumstances authorized by law for law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.