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Lorain Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lorain, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Lorain, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation classifies most government records, including arrest records, as public documents that must be made available for inspection by any person. The Ohio Public Records Act establishes the legal framework for transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities within Lorain County and its municipalities.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions, including:

  • Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
  • Providing transparency in the criminal justice system
  • Enabling background checks for employment and housing purposes
  • Facilitating research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
  • Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public interest

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives.

How to Look Up Lorain Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lorain, Ohio have multiple methods available to access this information. The following governmental agencies maintain and provide access to arrest records:

Lorain County Sheriff's Office
9896 Murray Ridge Road
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-329-3709
Lorain County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Lorain County Clerk of Courts
Justice Center
225 Court Street
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-329-5500
Lorain County Clerk of Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Lorain Police Department
100 West Erie Avenue
Lorain, OH 44052
Phone: 440-204-2100
Hours: 24 hours daily (Records Division: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

Methods for obtaining arrest records include:

  • In-person requests at the agencies listed above
  • Written requests submitted via postal mail
  • Online searches through the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas portal for cases that have been filed with the court
  • Public access terminals located at the Lorain County Justice Center
  • Formal public records requests submitted pursuant to ORC § 149.43

Requestors should note that while basic arrest information is typically available without charge, agencies may assess reasonable fees for copies of documents, certified records, or extensive searches in accordance with ORC § 149.43(B)(1).

Contents of a Lorain Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Lorain County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual
  • Any known aliases or alternative names
  • Date of birth and demographic information
  • Date, time, and location of the arrest
  • Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Arresting agency identification
  • Booking information, including:
    • Booking number
    • Fingerprint classification
    • Booking photographs ("mugshots")
  • Detention facility information
  • Case disposition status
  • Court case number (if formally charged)
  • Bail or bond information

Pursuant to ORC § 149.43(A)(1), certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public release, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Medical information
  • Information regarding confidential informants
  • Juvenile records (unless the juvenile was bound over to adult court)
  • Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments follow standardized protocols for the collection and maintenance of arrest data in compliance with the Ohio Criminal Justice Information System standards.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lorain

Under Ohio law, certain individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained in Lorain County. The legal authority for expungement is established in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which provides specific eligibility criteria and procedures.

Eligibility for expungement in Lorain County generally requires one of the following conditions:

  • The arrest did not lead to formal charges
  • Charges were dismissed
  • The individual was acquitted at trial
  • The individual completed a diversion program
  • The conviction qualifies as an eligible offense under ORC § 2953.31 and § 2953.32

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the court that had jurisdiction over the case. For most Lorain County cases, petitions must be filed with:

Lorain County Court of Common Pleas
Justice Center
225 Court Street
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-329-5000
Lorain County Court of Common Pleas
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Petitioners must meet statutory waiting periods, which vary based on the nature of the offense:

  • For misdemeanors: One year after final discharge
  • For felonies: Three years after final discharge
  • For first-degree felonies and certain specified offenses: Five years after final discharge

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will:

  1. Schedule a hearing date
  2. Notify the prosecutor's office, which may file objections
  3. Request an investigation by probation department personnel
  4. Determine whether the petitioner meets statutory eligibility requirements
  5. Consider whether the petitioner has been rehabilitated
  6. Weigh the public interest in maintaining the record against the petitioner's interest in having it sealed

If granted, an expungement order directs all governmental agencies, including the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, to seal the records pertaining to the arrest and any subsequent proceedings.

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