>Erie County Arrest Records Online

Erie County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Erie County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Erie County, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the county jurisdiction. The statute explicitly states that public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person during regular business hours. Requestors are not required to provide identification or justify their reason for seeking such information.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including promoting transparency in the criminal justice system, enabling community awareness of public safety matters, and facilitating background checks for employment or housing purposes.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Erie County?

Erie County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Erie County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to current inmate information through their official website. This online resource includes a regularly updated inmate roster that contains information about individuals currently in custody.

Additionally, the Erie County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database of court records, which may include information related to arrests that have proceeded to court proceedings. These digital resources are provided as a public service in accordance with Ohio's commitment to government transparency and public information accessibility.

Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices. Online systems typically provide limited information such as the arrestee's name, booking date, and charges, while complete arrest records may contain additional details not published on public-facing websites.

How to Look Up Erie County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Erie County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:

Erie County Sheriff's Office 10 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870 Phone: (419) 627-7668 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records and booking information. Requestors may visit the Records Division during business hours to submit a formal request. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), the office must provide prompt inspection of records during regular business hours.
Erie County Clerk of Courts 323 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870 Phone: (419) 627-7705 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Clerk's Office maintains court records that may include information about arrests that have proceeded to court action. These records can be requested in person or through their online portal.
Erie County Prosecutor's Office 247 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870 Phone: (419) 627-7697 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The Prosecutor's Office may provide information regarding arrests that have resulted in formal charges. Requests should specify the case number or individual's name and approximate date of arrest.

When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record retrieval. Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4501:1-12-02, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying services, typically ranging from $0.05 to $0.25 per page for standard documents.

Contents of an Erie County Arrest Record

Erie County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Ohio law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency conducting the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Ohio Revised Code or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested
Booking Information: Unique booking identification number, date and time of booking, fingerprint classification
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, court appearance dates, and current detention status
Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process
Property Inventory: List of personal items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest

In accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to different confidentiality standards under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.358 and are generally not available to the public without a court order.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Erie County

Erie County residents may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. Expungement, legally referred to as "sealing of records," removes arrest information from public access while maintaining it for limited law enforcement purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Erie County include:

Dismissal of charges or acquittal at trial
Successful completion of diversion programs
Conviction of certain misdemeanors after statutorily defined waiting periods
First-time non-violent felony convictions after a three-year waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a formal application with the Erie County Court of Common Pleas located at:

Erie County Court of Common Pleas 323 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870 Phone: (419) 627-7750 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Applicants must submit Form 2953.32 "Application for Sealing of Record" along with the required filing fee of $50.00. The court will schedule a hearing date, typically within 60-90 days of filing. The Erie County Prosecutor's Office and any victims associated with the case will receive notification of the application and may present objections at the hearing.

If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal the arrest record, including the Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and FBI. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D), sealed records remain accessible only to law enforcement agencies, licensing boards, and certain employers as specified by statute.