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Elyria Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Elyria, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Elyria, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are accessible to members of the public for inspection and duplication. The statute mandates transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, to maintain public oversight and accountability.

The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with limited exceptions for certain protected categories such as juvenile records, ongoing investigation materials, or records sealed by court order. Members of the public seeking arrest information in Elyria may access these records without demonstrating a specific purpose or justification for their request, as stipulated by state law.

How to Look Up Elyria Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Elyria, Ohio. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Elyria Police Department Records Division, located at 18 West Avenue, Elyria, OH 44035. The records counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors should be prepared to complete a public records request form and provide identification.
Written requests may be directed to the Elyria Police Department Records Division by mail. Correspondence should include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the record being sought, and any relevant dates or names to facilitate record location.
The Lorain County Clerk of Courts maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Their office is located at the Lorain County Justice Center, 225 Court Street, Elyria, OH 44035, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Electronic access to certain arrest information may be available through the Lorain County Court Records online portal, which provides public access to court case information, including those stemming from arrests within Elyria city limits.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection and make copies available within a reasonable period. Standard fees for duplication may apply in accordance with departmental fee schedules.

Contents of a Elyria Arrest Record

Elyria arrest records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. Standard information included in these records consists of:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at the time of arrest.
Temporal and geographical information pertaining to the arrest, including the precise date, time, and location where the apprehension occurred.
Detailed enumeration of all criminal charges filed against the individual, including the specific Ohio Revised Code sections allegedly violated.
Identification information for the arresting officer(s), including name, badge number, and departmental affiliation.
Booking information, including fingerprints, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), and the individual's unique booking identification number.
Preliminary case disposition information, such as bail determination, initial court appearance dates, and temporary detention location.
Incident report narratives describing the circumstances leading to the arrest, as documented by responding officers.

The Elyria Municipal Court processes cases resulting from arrests within its jurisdiction, maintaining additional documentation regarding subsequent judicial proceedings. The court is located at 601 Broad Street, Elyria, OH 44035, and can be reached at (440) 326-1770.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Elyria

Under Ohio law, certain individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Elyria. The process is governed by Ohio Revised Code §§ 2953.31-2953.61, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility for expungement in Elyria is determined by several factors:

For cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, acquittal, or no bill), individuals may apply for expungement immediately following the conclusion of proceedings, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52.
For misdemeanor convictions, applicants must demonstrate status as a "first offender" or "eligible offender" as defined by statute, and must have completed all terms of their sentence, including probation, fines, and restitution.
For certain felony convictions, applicants must meet the "eligible offender" criteria, have completed all sentencing requirements, and observe mandatory waiting periods (typically three years for lower-level felonies).
Specific offenses, including most violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of waiting period.

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, located at 225 Court Street, Elyria, OH 44035. The court conducts a hearing to determine whether the applicant meets statutory requirements and whether granting expungement serves the public interest.

Upon successful expungement, physical and digital records of the arrest are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).

Jurisdictional Considerations for Elyria Arrest Records

Arrest records in Elyria may be maintained by multiple jurisdictional authorities, each with distinct record-keeping systems and access protocols. The jurisdictional framework includes:

The Elyria Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency within city limits, maintaining arrest records for incidents occurring within their jurisdiction.
The Lorain County Sheriff's Office may conduct arrests within Elyria and maintains separate record systems for such incidents. Their office is located at 9896 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035, and can be reached at (440) 329-3709.
The Elyria Municipal Court has territorial jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses occurring within Elyria and certain surrounding municipalities, while felony cases are transferred to the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas following initial appearance.
State law enforcement agencies, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, may conduct arrests within Elyria city limits for violations of state law, maintaining separate record systems accessible through their respective administrative offices.

Individuals seeking comprehensive arrest information should consider contacting multiple agencies, as records may be distributed across various jurisdictional databases depending on the arresting authority and subsequent case processing.