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Steubenville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Steubenville, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Steubenville, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that all public records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible for inspection and duplication by any member of the public during regular business hours. The statute defines public records as any records kept by a public office that document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office. The transparency afforded by this legislation serves to maintain governmental accountability and uphold the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.

How to Look Up Steubenville Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Steubenville as of 2025. The City of Steubenville maintains several access points to ensure compliance with Ohio's public records laws:

Online Portal Access: The Steubenville Municipal Court provides a digital platform where citizens may search for arrest records and case information. The Court Connect system allows for remote access to public record information 24 hours per day.
Steubenville Police Department: Individuals may request arrest records in person at the department headquarters.

Steubenville Police Department
300 South Third Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
(740) 283-6090
Steubenville Police Department
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Jefferson County Courthouse: The Clerk of Courts office maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.

Jefferson County Courthouse
301 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
(740) 283-8530
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), citizens may submit written requests for arrest records to the custodian of such records. Requests must reasonably identify the records sought and may be delivered in person, by mail, or by electronic means.

Contents of a Steubenville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Steubenville law enforcement agencies and courts typically contain the following information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Case number assigned by the arresting agency
Detention information, including bail or bond amounts established
Court docket numbers and scheduled appearance dates
Disposition information, when available

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which exempts confidential law enforcement investigatory records, medical information, and certain personal identifiers from disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Steubenville

The expungement of arrest records in Steubenville is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which provides a legal mechanism for the sealing of criminal records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must satisfy statutory eligibility requirements, which vary based on the nature of the offense, time elapsed since arrest or conviction, and the petitioner's criminal history.

For arrests that did not lead to conviction, Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52 permits individuals to apply for expungement immediately following a not guilty finding, dismissal of charges, or no bill from a grand jury. For convictions, Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 establishes waiting periods before eligibility:

For misdemeanor convictions: One year from the date of final discharge
For felony convictions: Three years from the date of final discharge
For multiple convictions: The applicable waiting period for the highest degree offense

The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas or Steubenville Municipal Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case. The petition must include:

The petitioner's identifying information
Case numbers and charges sought to be sealed
Statement explaining why the record should be sealed
Documentation of final discharge and completion of all terms of sentence

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the prosecutor's office, which may file objections. The court will then consider statutory factors including:

Whether the petitioner has been rehabilitated
Whether the interests of the petitioner in having the records sealed outweigh the government's need to maintain those records
Whether the petitioner has completed all requirements of their sentence

If the court grants the expungement, an order will be issued to all relevant agencies to seal the records from public access. 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.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Steubenville operates within a comprehensive legal framework established by state and federal statutes. The Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43) serves as the primary authority governing public access to these documents. This statute establishes a presumption of openness, declaring that all records held by public offices are public records unless specifically exempted by law.

The City of Steubenville has implemented policies in accordance with this legislation to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with privacy protections. Municipal Ordinance 143.05 establishes procedures for requesting public records and sets reasonable fees for reproduction costs, not to exceed actual cost of duplication.

Federal regulations, including the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), may also impact the availability of arrest records when federal agencies are involved in investigations or prosecutions within Steubenville jurisdiction.

Law enforcement agencies in Steubenville must balance the public's right to access with privacy considerations and ongoing investigative needs. The Steubenville Police Department maintains protocols for redacting certain information from arrest records prior to public disclosure, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account information
Information pertaining to juvenile offenders
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations
Information protected by federal law

Individuals seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally public, certain limitations and exemptions may apply to specific information contained therein.