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Chardon Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chardon, Ohio?

Arrest records in Chardon, 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, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The statute mandates transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, to maintain accountability within the criminal justice system and provide citizens with information regarding law enforcement actions within their jurisdiction.

The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates that records kept by any public office, including law enforcement agencies, are public records unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined in the statute. Arrest records generally do not qualify for exemption and are therefore available for public inspection. This accessibility serves multiple public interests, including community awareness, journalistic reporting, and background verification processes.

How to Look Up Chardon Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methodologies exist for obtaining arrest records in Chardon, Ohio. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person during regular business hours. The following options are available to individuals seeking arrest record information:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Chardon Police Department located at 111 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (440) 286-6123. Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Geauga County Municipal Court: The court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in charges filed within its jurisdiction. These records may be accessed at 231 Main Street, Suite 3A, Chardon, OH 44024. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (440) 279-1750.
Online Access: The Geauga County Municipal Court provides electronic access to certain court records, including those related to arrests. The system allows for searches by name, case number, or filing date.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(5), individuals may submit written requests for copies of arrest records. Requests should include specific information to identify the record sought, such as the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6) and are limited to the actual cost of making copies, not including labor costs.

Contents of a Chardon Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Chardon law enforcement agencies and the Geauga County Municipal Court typically contain the following information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, address of residence, and photographic identification when available
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; circumstances leading to the arrest; and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Jurisdictional Information: The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and the jurisdiction in which the arrest occurred
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Ohio Revised Code or Chardon Municipal Code for which the individual was arrested
Case Processing Information: Assigned case number, court of jurisdiction, scheduled court appearances, and bail or bond determinations
Disposition Information: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chardon

The State of Ohio provides statutory mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61. Individuals seeking expungement in Chardon must adhere to the following procedures:

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or no bill by the grand jury
First-time offenders for certain non-violent offenses after a waiting period (typically one year for misdemeanors and three years for felonies)
Juvenile records, subject to specific statutory requirements

The expungement process requires:

Filing an application with the Geauga County Municipal Court or Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the severity of the original charge
Payment of a filing fee (currently $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies)
Completion of a background check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Attendance at a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge

Upon granting of an expungement order, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(C)(2), all official records pertaining to the case shall be sealed and all index references deleted. The proceedings in the case shall be deemed not to have occurred, and the individual may respond accordingly to inquiries regarding the matter.

The Geauga County Clerk of Courts processes expungement applications at 100 Short Court Street, Chardon, OH 44024. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (440) 279-2020.

Legal Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Ohio law establishes specific limitations on public access to certain categories of arrest records. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.358, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and are not generally available for public inspection. Additionally, Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 provides that sealed or expunged records shall not be accessible to the general public.

Law enforcement agencies and courts in Chardon are required to comply with these statutory restrictions when responding to public records requests. Requestors seeking access to restricted records may be required to demonstrate legal authorization or obtain a court order before such records will be disclosed.

Furthermore, Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h) exempts confidential law enforcement investigatory records from public disclosure when release would create a high probability of disclosure of specific investigative work product. This provision may temporarily restrict access to certain arrest records during active investigations.