>Knox County Arrest Records Online

Knox County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Knox County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Knox County, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, are subject to public inspection. The Knox County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public may request access to these records without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request. This transparency measure serves to uphold governmental accountability and the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities within the county.

The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public records unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined in the statute. These exemptions may include records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or records sealed by court order. The Knox County Sheriff's Office is required by law to provide reasonable access to non-exempt arrest records during regular business hours.

Knox County Sheriff's Office
11540 Upper Gilchrist Road
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: (740) 397-3333
Knox County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Knox County?

Arrest records can be found online in Knox County through several official digital platforms maintained by county agencies. The Knox County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate roster that is updated regularly, allowing public access to current arrest information. Additionally, the Knox County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic case management system that includes information about criminal cases resulting from arrests.

The online availability of these records is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits public offices to adopt policies providing for the transmission of public records by electronic means. The Knox County Sheriff's Records Division oversees the management and dissemination of these digital records, ensuring compliance with state regulations regarding public access while maintaining necessary security protocols.

Users of these online systems should be aware that while basic arrest information is typically available, certain details may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions. The electronic court records system maintained by the Clerk of Courts provides case information that is deemed public record under Ohio law, though access to certain documents may require in-person requests.

Knox County Clerk of Courts
117 East High Street, 1st Floor
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: (740) 393-6788
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

How to Look Up Knox County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Knox County arrest records in 2025, members of the public may utilize several methods established by county agencies. The following options are available for accessing these records:

Visit the Knox County Sheriff's Records Division in person at 11540 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Records requests can be submitted Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), the Records Division must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours.
Access the Sheriff's Office online inmate roster, which provides current information about individuals in custody. This resource is updated daily and includes basic arrest information as required by Ohio law.
Submit a written records request to the Records Division by mail or email to records@knoxcountysheriff.com. Include specific information about the record being requested to facilitate prompt processing.
Utilize the Knox County Clerk of Courts online portal to search for criminal cases associated with arrests. This system provides access to docket information, hearing schedules, and case dispositions.
Contact the Knox County Common Pleas Court for records related to felony cases resulting from arrests. The court maintains records of criminal proceedings pursuant to Ohio Rules of Superintendence.
Check the Mount Vernon Municipal Court records for misdemeanor arrests and cases within their jurisdiction.

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1) and are subject to change. As of 2025, standard paper copies are $0.25 per page, while certified copies may incur additional fees.

Contents of a Knox County Arrest Record

Knox County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Ohio law and established by the Ohio Department of Public Safety. These records typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known identifiers
Date of birth and demographic information including gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated agency
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during the intake process at the Knox County Jail
Fingerprint records collected during booking, which are submitted to state and federal databases
Case number assigned by the Sheriff's Office for tracking purposes
Bond or bail information, including amount set and conditions of release if applicable
Initial court appearance date and location
Detention status indicating whether the individual remains in custody or has been released

These records are maintained in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 2935.36 and related statutes governing law enforcement record-keeping requirements. The jail roster provides a subset of this information for individuals currently in custody, while complete arrest records are maintained by the Records Division.

Certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records if it falls under exemptions specified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, such as social security numbers, medical information, or details that would compromise an ongoing investigation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Knox County

The expungement of arrest records in Knox County is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which establishes procedures for sealing criminal records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the court that had jurisdiction over their case. The Knox County Common Pleas Court handles expungement applications for felony cases, while the Mount Vernon Municipal Court processes applications for misdemeanors.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Knox County include:

For non-conviction records: Individuals may apply for expungement if charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52, there is no waiting period for these applications.
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge, including completion of any probation or community control sanctions, as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32.
For felony convictions: A three-year waiting period applies after final discharge, provided the applicant meets all other eligibility requirements under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32.
Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including most violent offenses, sex offenses, and offenses where the victim was under 18 years of age.

The expungement process requires payment of a filing fee established by the court. As of 2025, the fee is $50 for the Knox County Common Pleas Court and $75 for the Mount Vernon Municipal Court. Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of an affidavit of indigency.

When an expungement is granted, the court issues an order directing all official records pertaining to the case to be sealed. This includes records maintained by the Knox County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, and other agencies. Sealed records are not accessible through standard background checks and are removed from public view, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances as permitted by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).