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Washington Court House Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington Court House, Ohio?

Arrest records in Washington Court House, Ohio are considered public information pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to all members of the public for inspection and copying during regular business hours. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office and Washington Court House Police Department maintain these records as required by state law.

The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the presumption of openness, meaning that all government records are considered public unless specifically exempted by law. Exemptions that may apply to arrest records include:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Records that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel
Confidential informant information
Juvenile records (in most circumstances)
Records sealed by court order

Requesters seeking arrest records are not required to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request. Government agencies may not deny a request based on the requester's intended use of the information.

How to Look Up Washington Court House Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Washington Court House have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The following methods are authorized pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 143:1-1-03:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Washington Court House Police Department or Fayette County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. Staff will assist with locating and copying relevant documents.
Online Access: The Fayette County Clerk of Courts maintains an online portal where certain arrest and court records can be accessed. This system allows for searches by name, case number, or date range.
Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via mail or email to the appropriate agency. Requests should include specific information such as the name of the arrested individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.
Third-Party Databases: Commercial services aggregate public records from multiple jurisdictions, though these may require subscription fees and may not contain the most current information.

Requesters should note that processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and availability of staff. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at all reasonable times during regular business hours.

Contents of a Washington Court House Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Washington Court House law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06. These records generally include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, address, physical description, and identifying characteristics of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting Agency: Name and badge number of the arresting officer and the law enforcement agency involved
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers and offense descriptions
Booking Data: Fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), and unique identification numbers assigned during processing
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release on bond, or transfer to other facilities
Court Information: Initial appearance dates, assigned court, and case numbers
Disposition: Outcome of the arrest if available (pending, dismissed, convicted, etc.)

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the policies of the arresting agency. Records are maintained in accordance with the Ohio Department of Public Safety's records retention schedule as specified in Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-01.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Washington Court House

Under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, eligible individuals may petition for the sealing (commonly referred to as expungement) of arrest records in Washington Court House. The expungement process removes arrest records from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Washington Court House include:

For misdemeanor offenses: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge
For felony offenses: Applicants must wait three years after final discharge
First-time offenders have broader eligibility than those with multiple convictions
Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas or Washington Court House Municipal Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case
Payment of filing fees (approximately $50-$100, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants)
Attendance at a hearing where a judge will determine if the applicant meets statutory requirements
Demonstration that the applicant's interest in having the records sealed outweighs the government's interest in maintaining public access

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order to all relevant agencies to seal the records. These agencies must comply within a reasonable timeframe as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).

Search Arrest Records in Washington Court House

Washington Court House Police Department
1103 E Temple Street
Washington Court House, OH 43160
(740) 636-2370
www.cityofwch.com/181/Police-Department

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
113 E Market Street
Washington Court House, OH 43160
(740) 335-6170
www.faycoso.com

Fayette County Clerk of Courts
110 E Court Street
Washington Court House, OH 43160
(740) 335-6371
www.fayettecountyoh.gov/clerk_of_courts.htm

Washington Court House Municipal Court
150 N Main Street
Washington Court House, OH 43160
(740) 636-2340
www.cityofwch.com/191/Municipal-Court