Obetz Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Obetz, Ohio?
Arrest records are public documents in Obetz, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The statute serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system.
The Village of Obetz maintains arrest records through the Obetz Police Department, which operates under the jurisdiction of local ordinances and state laws. These records document the official actions of law enforcement personnel and constitute public information except in specific circumstances where exemptions apply under Ohio law.
Exemptions to public disclosure may include:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Juvenile records (subject to restrictions under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14)
- Records sealed by court order
- Information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel
Individuals seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the information is generally public, certain personal identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established by state statute.
How to Look Up Obetz Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public may access Obetz arrest records through several official channels established by municipal authorities. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest record information:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Obetz Police Department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating and providing copies of available public records during regular business hours.
Obetz Police Department
4175 Alum Creek Drive
Obetz, Ohio 43207
Phone: (614) 491-3211
Official Police Department Website
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail. Requests should include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if available)
- Contact information for the requestor
Electronic Access: The Village of Obetz may provide limited electronic access to certain public records through its official website. Users may search for basic arrest information through the municipal court portal.
Mayor's Court Records: For cases processed through the Obetz Mayor's Court, records may be accessed at:
Obetz Mayor's Court
4175 Alum Creek Drive
Obetz, Ohio 43207
Phone: (614) 491-1080
Mayor's Court Information
Court Sessions: Wednesdays at 5:00 P.M.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices are required to promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at reasonable times during regular business hours. Requestors may be charged reasonable fees for copies of records, not exceeding the actual cost of making copies.
Contents of an Obetz Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Obetz Police Department typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and generally include the following elements:
Biographical Information:
- Legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as categorized by law enforcement)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of the arrest
- Location where the arrest occurred
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (typically Obetz Police Department)
- Arrest method (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
Criminal Charges:
- Specific charges filed
- Statutory citations (references to the Codified Ordinances of Obetz or Ohio Revised Code)
- Classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony)
- Case number assigned
Processing Information:
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Detention facility information
- Bond amount (if applicable)
Case Disposition:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearances
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Final disposition (if resolved)
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may contain redactions or limited information in accordance with exemptions under Ohio public records law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Obetz
The expungement process in Obetz follows Ohio state law regarding the sealing of criminal records. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, eligible individuals may petition for the sealing of arrest and conviction records under specific circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria:
For arrests that did not lead to conviction:
- Individuals may apply for expungement immediately following dismissal of charges or acquittal
- Cases resulting in no bill from grand jury may be expunged after the statute of limitations expires
- Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52, individuals may apply regardless of prior record
For conviction records:
- First-time offenders may apply for expungement of misdemeanor convictions one year after final discharge
- Eligible felony convictions may be expunged three years after final discharge
- Applicants must have no pending criminal charges
- Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement
Application Process:
- Eligible individuals must file a petition with the court that handled the original case
- For Obetz cases, petitions are typically filed with:
Franklin County Municipal Court
375 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 645-8186
Obetz Mayor's Court
4175 Alum Creek Drive
Obetz, Ohio 43207
Phone: (614) 491-1080
The petition must include:
- Original case information
- Statement of eligibility
- Filing fee (may be waived for indigent applicants)
The court will schedule a hearing date
The prosecutor's office receives notification and may object
Law enforcement agencies provide input regarding the petition
Effects of Expungement:
When an expungement is granted, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32:
- The record is sealed from public view
- The proceedings are deemed not to have occurred
- The individual may legally state they have not been arrested or convicted of the expunged offense
- Government agencies retain limited access to sealed records for specific purposes
Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that while local records maintained by the Obetz Police Department will be sealed, federal agencies and certain employers may still have access to expunged records under specific circumstances authorized by law.
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