New Albany Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in New Albany, Ohio?
Arrest records in New Albany, Ohio are classified as public documents pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provision. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings.
Members of the public may access these records for various legitimate purposes, including:
- Background verification for employment or housing
- Personal legal matters
- Research and statistical analysis
- Journalistic investigations
- Public safety awareness
The New Albany Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols that balance public access rights with privacy considerations as mandated by Ohio law.
How to Look Up New Albany Arrest Records in 2025
The New Albany Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest record information. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public agencies must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours and make copies available at cost within a reasonable period of time. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records in New Albany:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the New Albany Police Department Records Division to submit requests for arrest records. Staff will assist with locating and providing the requested information.
New Albany Police Department
50 Village Hall Road
New Albany, OH 43054
(614) 855-1234
New Albany Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMOnline Access: The Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains a searchable database of court records, including those related to arrests within New Albany jurisdiction. This system allows for remote access to public records 24 hours per day.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
373 South High Street, 23rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 525-3600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWritten Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records via postal mail or email. Requests must include sufficient identifying information to locate the specific records sought.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the New Albany Municipal Building for public use in searching arrest records and other public documents.
New Albany Municipal Building
99 West Main Street
New Albany, OH 43054
(614) 855-3913
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contents of a New Albany Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the New Albany Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by the New Albany Police Directives and Procedures. These records typically include comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual's processing through the criminal justice system. Standard components of an arrest record include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory violations and charges filed
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking information, including processing date and facility
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Photographic documentation (mugshot)
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Preliminary hearing information and bail determination
- Case disposition if available
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which exempts confidential law enforcement investigatory records, medical information, and certain personal identifying information from public disclosure requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in New Albany
The State of Ohio provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records. This process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61 and is administered through the Mayor's Court of New Albany or the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the nature and jurisdiction of the original case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in New Albany include:
- Completion of all court-ordered sanctions and requirements
- Satisfaction of mandatory waiting periods (typically 1-3 years for misdemeanors and 3-5 years for eligible felonies)
- Absence of pending criminal charges
- Limitation on number of convictions eligible for expungement
- Nature of offense (certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors are statutorily ineligible)
The expungement process requires:
- Filing of a formal petition with the appropriate court, accompanied by the prescribed filing fee
- Verification of eligibility through background check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Judicial review of the petition, including consideration of the prosecutor's position
- Hearing before the presiding judge, if deemed necessary
- Judicial determination based on statutory eligibility and whether the applicant has been rehabilitated
Upon granting of an expungement order, the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure require that all public offices and agencies that maintain records of the case must seal those records from public access. The practical effect is that the records are removed from public databases and cannot be accessed through standard record searches. However, certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and licensing boards, retain limited access to sealed records for specific statutory purposes.
The New Albany Police Department, in accordance with the City of New Albany Policy and Procedure Manual, maintains protocols for the proper handling of expunged records to ensure compliance with court orders and state law.
Search Arrest Records in New Albany
