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Oberlin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oberlin, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Oberlin, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act. This legislation, codified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be made available for public inspection and copying. The statute operates under the presumption that government records are open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Ohio Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this law to favor disclosure, reinforcing the public's right to access information maintained by government entities.

The Oberlin Municipal Court, operating under authority granted by Chapter 1901 of the Ohio Revised Code, maintains criminal case records as permanent public documents. These records may be accessed by any member of the public during regular business hours, subject to reasonable regulations established to protect the records and prevent interference with court operations.

How to Look Up Oberlin Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Oberlin have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The following official channels provide reliable access to arrest record information:

Oberlin Police Department: Citizens may request arrest records directly from the department that created them. The Oberlin Police Department maintains records of arrests conducted within their jurisdiction.

Oberlin Police Department
85 South Main Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Phone: (440) 774-1061
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website
Lorain County Clerk of Courts: The Lorain County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all criminal cases filed within the county, including those originating from arrests in Oberlin.

Lorain County Justice Center
225 Court Street
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: (440) 329-5500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Oberlin Municipal Court: Court records related to arrests within the court's jurisdiction are maintained at this location.

Oberlin Municipal Court
85 South Main Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Phone: (440) 775-1531
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Access: The Oberlin Municipal Court provides limited online access to case information through their web portal. However, comprehensive arrest records may require in-person requests.

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. A nominal fee may be charged for copies of records, not to exceed the actual cost of making copies.

Contents of an Oberlin Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Oberlin law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Ohio law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest with corresponding Ohio Revised Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and photograph
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Initial appearance information and bail determination
Case number assigned for tracking purposes

The Ohio Crash System may contain additional information if the arrest was related to a traffic incident. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to exemptions in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that would endanger officer safety.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Oberlin, certain legal restrictions limit access to specific information. The Ohio legislature has established several statutory exemptions to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations:

Records pertaining to juveniles under 18 years of age are subject to different disclosure rules under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14 and are not publicly accessible in the same manner as adult records.
Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation may be temporarily withheld under the "confidential law enforcement investigatory records" exemption in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h).
Records sealed pursuant to court order following expungement proceedings are removed from public access.
Information identifying victims of certain offenses, particularly those of a sexual nature, may be redacted prior to public disclosure.
Medical and mental health information contained within arrest records is protected from disclosure under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations.

As established in Meekins v. Oberlin, a 2018 Ohio Court of Appeals case, the Oberlin Municipal Court maintains independent authority regarding warrant issuance and related records. This judicial discretion may affect the timing and manner of record availability in certain circumstances.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oberlin

Ohio law provides a mechanism for the expungement (sealing) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement in Oberlin must file a petition with the court that handled their case, typically the Oberlin Municipal Court or Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the severity of the original charge.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Oberlin include:

For non-conviction records: Individuals may apply immediately after the case is dismissed or results in acquittal.
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge (completion of all aspects of the sentence).
For certain felony convictions: A three-year waiting period applies after final discharge.
For first-time offenders: Special provisions exist under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31-2953.36.

The expungement process requires:

Filing an application with the appropriate court
Payment of a filing fee (approximately $50 for misdemeanors, $100 for felonies)
Completion of a background check
Attendance at a hearing before a judge
Demonstration that the applicant's interest in sealing the record outweighs the government's interest in maintaining it

If granted, expungement orders are forwarded to all agencies holding arrest records, including the Oberlin Police Department, requiring them to seal the records from public view. Law enforcement agencies and certain employers authorized by law may still access sealed records for specific purposes.