>Guernsey County Arrest Records Online

Guernsey County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Guernsey County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Guernsey County, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute establishes that government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Guernsey County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to uphold public trust in the criminal justice system. As established in State ex rel. Rocker v. Guernsey Cty. Sheriff's Office (2010), the public's right to access these records is a fundamental aspect of Ohio's commitment to open government.

Members of the public may request arrest records from the appropriate agencies during regular business hours. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as confidential informant identities, ongoing investigation details, or juvenile information as protected under Ohio law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Guernsey County?

Guernsey County arrest records are available online through several official channels. The Guernsey County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows public access to arrest information as part of Ohio's commitment to government transparency. This online accessibility is consistent with the Ohio Supreme Court's interpretation of the Public Records Act, which encourages the use of technology to facilitate public access to government records.

The online records system provides basic arrest information including names, charges, and booking dates. However, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. The Guernsey County Court Records system also provides access to case information resulting from arrests, though the level of detail may vary depending on the stage of the criminal proceedings.

How to Look Up Guernsey County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Guernsey County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them under Ohio's public records laws. The following options are provided in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43:

Sheriff's Office Records Division: The Guernsey County Sheriff's Office maintains the most comprehensive arrest records and provides public access during regular business hours.

Guernsey County Sheriff's Office
601 Southgate Parkway
Cambridge, OH 43725
(740) 439-4455
Official Website

Clerk of Courts Office: Court records related to arrests can be obtained from the Clerk's office, which maintains records of all court proceedings in the county.

Guernsey County Clerk of Courts
801 East Wheeling Avenue
Cambridge, OH 43725
(740) 432-9230
Official Website

Online Database Access: The Sheriff's Office provides a digital inmate search system that allows the public to search current and recent arrest information.
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation: For comprehensive background checks that include arrest records, individuals may contact the Ohio BCI.

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1560 State Route 56 SW
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2000
Official Website

Requestors must provide sufficient identifying information to locate specific records. Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and processing record requests.

Contents of a Guernsey County Arrest Record

Guernsey County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Ohio law and administrative regulations. These records typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest (Ohio Revised Code citations)
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Property inventory taken during booking
Initial court appearance information
Bond amount and status
Detention facility assignment

The comprehensiveness of these records is mandated by Ohio Administrative Code 5120:1-1-21, which establishes standards for record-keeping in law enforcement agencies. As noted in Ohio Attorney General investigations involving Guernsey County Sheriff's Office, these records serve both administrative and investigative purposes within the criminal justice system.

Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), particularly when it involves confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or juvenile matters.

Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Guernsey County

Arrest records in Guernsey County serve multiple legitimate purposes within the legal and civil frameworks established by Ohio statutes. These records may be lawfully utilized for:

Criminal Justice Proceedings: Prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges rely on arrest records during various stages of criminal proceedings, as established in the Ohio Trial Courts system.
Background Verification: Employers conducting background checks for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations may access arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 109.57.
Housing Applications: Landlords may review arrest records as part of tenant screening processes, subject to Fair Housing regulations and limitations.
Professional Licensing: State licensing boards for professions such as healthcare, education, and legal services may consider arrest records when evaluating applicants' character and fitness.
Statistical Analysis: Government agencies utilize anonymized arrest data for crime trend analysis and resource allocation, as demonstrated in cases like the Byesville investigation.

The Ohio Supreme Court has established in multiple rulings, including State ex rel. Rocker v. Guernsey Cty. Sheriff's Office, that while arrest records are public, their use must be balanced against privacy interests and the presumption of innocence.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Guernsey County

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Guernsey County pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Guernsey County include:

First-time offenders may apply for expungement one year after final discharge for misdemeanors and three years after final discharge for felonies
Individuals with multiple convictions face additional restrictions as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31(A)
Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement under Ohio law
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be sealed immediately upon conclusion of proceedings

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Guernsey County Court of Common Pleas, payment of filing fees, and attendance at a hearing where a judge determines whether the applicant's interest in sealing the records outweighs the government's interest in maintaining public access. As documented in criminal cases investigated by the Ohio Attorney General, the nature and severity of the offense significantly impact expungement eligibility.

Upon successful expungement, the Guernsey County Sheriff's Office and other agencies must comply with court orders to seal records from public view within 60 days, as mandated by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).