> >Hilliard Arrest Records

Hilliard Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hilliard, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Hilliard, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that most records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, must be available for public inspection and copying. The City of Hilliard maintains these records in accordance with Ohio law and the City's public records policy. Members of the public may access these records unless they are specifically exempted by statute or court order.

Exemptions that may apply to arrest records include:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Records sealed by court order
Juvenile records (with certain exceptions)
Records containing confidential informant information
Records that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel

The Hilliard Division of Police maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in compliance with state transparency laws.

How to Look Up Hilliard Arrest Records in 2025

The Hilliard Division of Police provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B), public agencies must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at reasonable times during regular business hours.

Methods available to the public include:

In-person requests at the Hilliard Division of Police located at 5171 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Telephone requests via the Public Records line at (614) 876-2429
Written requests submitted by mail to the police department address
Email requests to the designated public records officer
Online requests through the City of Hilliard's public records portal

For arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings, individuals may also contact:

Hilliard Mayor's Court
5171 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 334-2150
Official Website

The Mayor's Court maintains records of cases within its jurisdiction, including those stemming from arrests made by the Hilliard Division of Police.

Contents of a Hilliard Arrest Record

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

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint information
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Incident report number
Booking information, including property inventory
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Detention location

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information that would jeopardize an ongoing investigation

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Hilliard is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. Ohio's Public Records Act (ORC § 149.43) establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection.

The City of Hilliard adheres to the following legal principles when managing arrest records:

Records must be promptly prepared and made available for inspection during regular business hours
Copies must be provided at cost within a reasonable period of time
Electronic records may be delivered via the medium requested if reasonably possible
Denial of access must be accompanied by an explanation citing specific legal authority
Redactions must be clearly marked with the legal basis for each redaction

The Hilliard Division of Police maintains compliance with these requirements through established protocols and trained personnel dedicated to public records management.

Fees and Processing Times for Arrest Record Requests

The City of Hilliard may charge reasonable fees for copies of arrest records as permitted by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1). These fees are limited to the actual cost of making copies and do not include labor costs for record preparation.

Current fee schedule for arrest record copies:

Paper copies: $0.05 per page
Electronic copies provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy costs
Photographs: Actual cost of reproduction

Processing times vary based on:

Volume of records requested
Need for legal review and redaction
Current workload of records personnel
Format of records requested

The Hilliard Division of Police strives to fulfill routine requests within 3-5 business days. Complex requests requiring extensive redaction or legal review may take longer. Requestors will be notified if delays are anticipated.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hilliard

Under Ohio law, individuals may petition for the sealing (expungement) of arrest records under certain circumstances. The process is governed by Ohio Revised Code §§ 2953.31-2953.61.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

For non-conviction records: Eligible immediately after case dismissal or acquittal
For misdemeanor convictions: Generally eligible one year after final discharge
For certain felony convictions: Generally eligible three years after final discharge
First-time offender provisions may apply in specific circumstances

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
Payment of filing fees (approximately $50, though fee waivers may be available)
Criminal background check
Hearing before a judge who determines eligibility
Court order directing all relevant agencies to seal records

If granted, the Hilliard Division of Police and other agencies must comply with the court order by removing the records from public access. However, sealed records remain available to law enforcement agencies for certain purposes as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).

Online Reporting and Record Management

The Hilliard Division of Police maintains an online reporting system for non-emergency incidents. This system allows residents to file reports for certain types of incidents and access their own reporting history.

Features of the online system include:

Filing reports for minor incidents such as theft, vandalism, and lost property
Obtaining case numbers for insurance purposes
Printing copies of submitted reports
Checking the status of previously filed reports

While this system does not provide access to arrest records of other individuals, it represents part of the City of Hilliard's commitment to modernizing record management and improving public access to information.