Napoleon Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Napoleon, Ohio?
Arrest records are public documents in Napoleon, Ohio, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The legislative intent behind this provision is to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to maintain public oversight of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. The Napoleon Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules and make them available through established protocols.
Requestors should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted in compliance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which exempts specific categories of information from disclosure, including confidential law enforcement investigatory records that might compromise ongoing investigations.
How to Look Up Napoleon Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Napoleon, Ohio may utilize several official channels established by local authorities. The following methods are available for record retrieval:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Napoleon Police Department, located at 310 Glenwood Avenue, Napoleon, OH 43545. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should complete a public records request form and provide identification.
The Henry County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records at 123 East Washington Street, Napoleon, OH 43545. Public counter hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (419) 592-8010.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the official Napoleon city website or the Henry County government portal. Processing times for electronic submissions typically range from 3 to 5 business days.
The Henry County Clerk of Courts provides access to court records related to arrests at 660 North Perry Street, Napoleon, OH 43545. Public access terminals are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Background check services through the Ohio Attorney General's Office may include arrest information for employment or licensing purposes.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at reasonable times during regular business hours. Reasonable fees may be assessed for copies of records in accordance with § 149.43(B)(6).
Contents of a Napoleon Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Napoleon law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06. These records typically include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, address of residence, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Arrest details, including date, time, and precise location of apprehension
Statutory violations alleged, with reference to specific Ohio Revised Code sections or Napoleon Municipal Code provisions
Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the primary arresting officer
Booking data, including fingerprint records and photographic documentation (mugshots)
Custody status information, including bond amount if applicable, and detention facility location
Case disposition tracking, including court docket numbers and scheduled appearance dates at the Napoleon Municipal Court
Property inventory of items seized during arrest
The Napoleon Municipal Court, located at 265 West Front Street, Napoleon, OH 43545, maintains judicial records related to arrests within its jurisdiction. Court records may be accessed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or by telephone at (419) 599-9096.
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records are subject to different disclosure regulations under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14 and may not be publicly accessible without a court order.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Napoleon
The State of Ohio provides statutory mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, individuals may petition for the sealing of records related to arrests that did not result in conviction or for convictions that qualify under state law.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Napoleon include:
For arrests not resulting in charges or where charges were dismissed: Individuals may apply immediately after case dismissal or the decision not to prosecute, as provided in § 2953.52
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge, including completion of any probation terms, as stipulated in § 2953.32(A)(1)(a)
For eligible felony convictions: A three-year waiting period applies after final discharge, pursuant to § 2953.32(A)(1)(b)
For first-time offenders: Special provisions may apply under § 2953.31
The expungement process requires:
Filing a formal petition with the court of original jurisdiction, typically the Napoleon Municipal Court for misdemeanors or the Henry County Court of Common Pleas for felonies
Payment of filing fees as established by the court (approximately $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies)
Attendance at a scheduled hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition based on statutory criteria
Notification to prosecuting authorities, who may object to the expungement request
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Napoleon Police Department, Henry County Sheriff's Office, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, to seal the specified records. Once sealed, these records are removed from public access and may only be viewed by law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances defined in § 2953.32(D).
The Napoleon Municipal Court provides standardized forms for expungement petitions and can offer procedural guidance to applicants. Legal representation is not required but may be beneficial for complex cases.
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