Yes, arrest records are public in New Albany, Ohio. These records are considered public under the Ohio Public Records Act, which mandates that all government records, unless specifically exempted by law, must be made accessible to the public. This transparency ensures that residents have the ability to obtain information about arrests, which can be crucial for various legal and personal reasons.
To get information on how to access arrest records in New Albany, residents have several options available to them. These methods cater to individuals needing to verify legal history or conduct background checks. Here are the primary ways to search for arrest records in New Albany:
A New Albany arrest record typically includes the following information:
In New Albany, individuals may have the opportunity to have their arrest records expunged, which means the records are sealed or erased from general review. Expungement is available to those who meet specific criteria set forth by Ohio law, such as the nature of the crime, the time elapsed since the arrest, and the individual's criminal history. To initiate an expungement, the individual must file a petition in the court where the arrest occurred. The court then reviews the petition, considers any objections by the prosecution, and determines whether the expungement is in the interest of justice.