>Gallia County Arrest Records Online

Gallia County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Gallia County, Ohio?

Arrest records in Gallia County, Ohio are classified as public documents pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute establishes that government-held records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the presumption of openness, requiring that public records be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person during regular business hours.

The Gallia County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duty to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. These records serve multiple public interests, including promoting transparency in governmental operations, facilitating public oversight of law enforcement activities, and providing citizens with information regarding public safety matters in their communities.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which identifies specific categories of records that may be withheld or redacted. These exceptions may include information that would:

Compromise an ongoing investigation
Reveal confidential informant identities
Disclose juvenile offender information protected under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14
Violate federal law, including HIPAA protections for medical information

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Gallia County?

The Gallia County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to arrest records through its official website. Pursuant to Ohio's commitment to government transparency, the county maintains an electronic database that includes basic information about recent arrests and current inmate populations. This online resource is maintained in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits public offices to adopt policies providing for the transmission of public records by electronic means.

The Gallia County Court Records system offers an electronic portal through which members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. This system, known as eAccess, allows users to search for records using various identifiers including name, case number, and filing date.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction also maintains a statewide Offender Search database that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the county criminal justice system and subsequently entered state custody. This resource is maintained pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 5120-9-49, which governs the public disclosure of offender information.

Users should be aware that online records may not be comprehensive and typically do not include:

Complete arrest reports with narrative details
Evidence documentation
Witness statements
Medical information obtained during booking
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order

How to Look Up Gallia County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Gallia County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which requires public offices to promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection:

Gallia County Sheriff's Office 18 Locust Street Gallipolis, OH 45631 (740) 446-1221 Gallia County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Records request procedures:

Complete a public records request form (available in person or downloadable from the Sheriff's Office website)
Provide sufficient information to identify the specific records being requested
Present valid government-issued identification when collecting records in person
Pay applicable copying fees ($0.05 per page for standard documents)

Gallia County Clerk of Courts 18 Locust Street, Room 1207 Gallipolis, OH 45631 (740) 446-4612 Gallia County Clerk of Courts

The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests, including case filings, hearing schedules, and disposition information. Pursuant to Ohio Supreme Court Rules of Superintendence Rule 44-47, these records are generally available for public inspection during regular business hours.

For arrests resulting in felony charges, records may also be available through the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas. The Court maintains records of all proceedings in accordance with Ohio Rules of Superintendence 26(B), which establishes retention schedules for court records.

Contents of a Gallia County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Gallia County Sheriff's Office are created pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 5120:1-1-21, which establishes standards for law enforcement recordkeeping. These records typically contain the following categories of information:

Biographical data:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Residential address
- Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies)
Arrest information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority for arrest (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
- Criminal charges filed, including Ohio Revised Code citations
- Booking number and processing information
Case processing details:
- Custody status (released on bond, detained, etc.)
- Court assignment information
- Scheduled appearance dates
- Case disposition when available
Identification records:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification data
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars

The Ohio Criminal Rule 4(A) requires that arrest records include the offense charged and a statement of the essential facts constituting the offense. These elements must be documented in sufficient detail to establish probable cause for the arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Gallia County

Under Ohio law, eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records through a formal legal process. This procedure is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

The Gallia County Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over expungement petitions for felony arrests, while the Gallipolis Municipal Court handles misdemeanor expungement applications. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, individuals may apply for expungement if:

The case resulted in an acquittal, dismissal, or no bill from the grand jury
The conviction was for an eligible offense (most non-violent, non-sexual offenses)
The required waiting period has elapsed (1 year for misdemeanors, 3 years for most felonies)
The applicant has no pending criminal charges
The applicant has been rehabilitated to the court's satisfaction

Gallia County Court of Common Pleas 18 Locust Street Gallipolis, OH 45631 (740) 446-4612 Gallia County Court of Common Pleas

The expungement process requires:

Filing a formal petition with the appropriate court
Payment of filing fees (approximately $50, with fee waivers available for indigent applicants)
Notification to the prosecutor's office
Criminal background check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Judicial hearing in some cases

When an expungement is granted, the Gallia County Sheriff's Office and other agencies are required to seal the records pursuant to court order. These records are then removed from public access and may only be viewed by law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).