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Cincinnati Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cincinnati, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Cincinnati, Ohio, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This statute establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be made available for public inspection. The law operates under the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Cincinnati Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law and departmental policies to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations.

Members of the public may access arrest records regardless of their purpose or relationship to the arrested individual. However, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal identifying information as specified under Ohio law. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of governmental accountability and public safety awareness.

How to Look Up Cincinnati Arrest Records in 2025

The Cincinnati Police Department maintains multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. As of 2025, the following official methods are available for accessing arrest information:

Cincinnati Police Records Section: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Records Section located at 310 Ezzard Charles Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45214. The public counter operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (513) 352-2927.
Online Records Portal: The Cincinnati Police Department Records System provides digital access to certain arrest records. Users must create an account and may be subject to verification procedures before accessing records.
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts: For arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings, the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts maintains searchable databases at 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The office is accessible Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached at (513) 946-5656.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B), written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the Cincinnati Police Records Section. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, and approximate date of arrest.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with Cincinnati Municipal Code § 910-7. Standard fees include $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of arrest records.

Contents of a Cincinnati Arrest Record

Cincinnati arrest records contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Arresting agency information, including officer identification numbers
Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint records
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and distinguishing physical characteristics
Residential address at time of arrest
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond information
Incident report number and other administrative identifiers

The Cincinnati Police Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policy directive 12.140, which establishes protocols for record creation, maintenance, and retention. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to confidential informants as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cincinnati

Under Ohio law, certain individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records. This legal process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36 and provides a mechanism for eligible persons to remove arrest information from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Cincinnati include:

Completion of all court-ordered requirements related to the arrest
Satisfaction of mandatory waiting periods (typically one year for misdemeanors and three years for eligible felonies)
No pending criminal charges at the time of application
Demonstration that the applicant's interest in sealing the records outweighs the government's interest in maintaining them

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, located at 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The court charges a filing fee of $50.00, which may be waived upon demonstration of financial hardship. Following submission, the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office reviews the petition and may file objections within 30 days.

If granted, an expungement order directs all governmental agencies, including the Cincinnati Police Department, to seal the specified records. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D), sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, licensing boards, and certain employers as specified by statute, but are removed from public access.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Cincinnati, Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 establishes several categories of information that are exempt from disclosure. These restrictions serve to balance transparency with privacy and security concerns.

Protected information includes:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations as defined in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2)(a)
Juvenile arrest records, which are subject to separate confidentiality provisions under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14
Medical information contained within arrest records
Information that would endanger the safety of law enforcement personnel
Records sealed pursuant to court order under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32

Additionally, federal laws including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may further restrict the disclosure of certain information contained within arrest records. The Cincinnati Police Department Records Section is responsible for applying appropriate redactions before releasing records to the public.

Cincinnati Arrest Statistics and Reporting

The Cincinnati Police Department maintains comprehensive arrest statistics as part of its commitment to transparency and data-driven policing. These statistics are compiled through the department's Records Management System (RMS) and are made available through several official channels.

Current arrest data indicates:

Approximately 12,000 adult arrests are processed annually within Cincinnati city limits
The Cincinnati Police Department's crime reporting system provides statistical breakdowns by offense category, geographic district, and demographic information
Quarterly reports are published on the Cincinnati Police Department website in compliance with Cincinnati Municipal Code § 910-23

The Police Data Initiative provides additional context for arrest statistics, including crime mapping tools and trend analysis. This information is utilized by the Cincinnati City Council Public Safety Committee to evaluate departmental performance and resource allocation.

Researchers and members of the public seeking aggregate arrest data may submit requests to the Cincinnati Police Department's Statistical Analysis Unit at 310 Ezzard Charles Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45214, or by telephone at (513) 352-3536.