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Norwood Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Norwood, Ohio?

Arrest records in Norwood, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act, these records are classified as public records and must be made available upon request. The statute establishes that all government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies, are presumed public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. This legal framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and accountability of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction of Norwood.

The City of Norwood maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules as prescribed by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives division. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the records themselves are public, certain information contained within them may be redacted in compliance with privacy protections established under Ohio law.

How to Look Up Norwood Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Norwood provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Norwood Police Department located at 4701 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45212. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Online Access Portal: The Norwood Police Department maintains a digital records system accessible through the city's official website. Users may search for arrest records using name, date, or case number identifiers.
Written Requests: Public records requests may be submitted in writing to the Administrative Section of the Police Department. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), the department must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours.
Mayor's Court Records: For cases processed through the Norwood Mayor's Court, records may be obtained from the Clerk of Courts office located in the Municipal Building at 4645 Montgomery Road, Norwood, OH 45212. Court sessions are held Monday mornings at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers.

Norwood Police Department
4701 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45212
(513) 458-4520
Official Website

Contents of a Norwood Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Norwood Police Department contain specific categories of information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10. These records typically include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including relevant sections of the Norwood Ordinances or Ohio Revised Code
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking information, including booking number and processing details
Demographic information of the arrested individual, including:
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- Fingerprint classification
Photograph (mugshot) taken during booking process
Custody status and bail information
Case disposition, if available

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to juveniles. Additionally, records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld in accordance with investigatory exceptions provided in state law.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Norwood is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and local levels. Ohio's commitment to governmental transparency is codified in the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43), which establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law.

The City of Norwood operates under this framework and has established local procedures for records access in compliance with state requirements. Key legal provisions affecting arrest record access include:

Response Time Requirements: Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours and make copies available within a reasonable period.
Fee Structure: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), the Norwood Police Department may charge only the actual cost of making copies, not including labor costs for record preparation.
Electronic Records: Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6)(b) permits agencies to provide records in electronic format when requested, potentially reducing costs for requestors.
Redaction Requirements: Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), when making a redaction, the public office shall notify the requester of the redaction or make the redaction plainly visible.

The Building Department of Norwood, as part of the City's Safety Department, may also maintain certain records related to code enforcement actions that may correlate with arrest records in cases involving property violations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Norwood

The expungement process in Norwood provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to seal arrest records from public view. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances. The process requires judicial review and approval before records can be sealed.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records in Norwood include:

Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
Cases where no formal charges were filed within statutory time limits
First-time offenders who have completed all court-ordered requirements
Individuals who have maintained a clean record for the statutorily required waiting period

The expungement application process requires:

Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent applicants)
Completion of a background check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Attendance at a scheduled court hearing
Judicial determination of eligibility based on statutory criteria

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Norwood Police Department, to seal the specified records. Once sealed, these records are no longer accessible to the general public, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32.

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
1000 Main Street, Room 315
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 946-5656
Official Website