>Mercer County Arrest Records Online

Mercer County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Mercer County, Ohio?

Arrest records in Mercer County, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, must be made available for public inspection to maintain transparency in governmental operations. The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, confidential informant information, and juvenile records as outlined in § 149.43(A)(1)(h).

Members of the public may access these records to monitor law enforcement activities, conduct background checks, or gather information about individuals within their community. The Mercer County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Ohio Historical Society under § 149.39. Public access to arrest records supports the fundamental principle of governmental accountability and allows citizens to exercise their right to information about public safety matters within their jurisdiction.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Mercer County?

Mercer County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Mercer County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website, including current inmate populations and recent booking data. Additionally, the Mercer County Jail Inmate Search portal allows users to search for individuals currently in custody or recently released.

The online availability of these records is governed by Ohio Administrative Code 143:1-12-01, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to public records. Digital access facilitates efficient information retrieval while reducing administrative burden on county offices. Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, complete arrest records with detailed documentation may require in-person requests at the appropriate county office.

Online record systems are updated according to schedules established by the maintaining agencies, with most booking information appearing within 24-48 hours of processing. The Mercer County Court system also maintains electronic case records that may contain information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

How to Look Up Mercer County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Mercer County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Visit the Mercer County Sheriff's Office: Records may be requested in person at the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Mercer County Sheriff's Office 4835 State Route 29 Celina, OH 45822 419-586-7724 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Access the Online Inmate Database: The Sheriff's Office Jail Inmate Search provides information on current inmates and recent bookings.
Submit a Request to the Clerk of Courts: Court records related to arrests may be obtained through the Clerk's office. Mercer County Clerk of Courts 101 North Main Street, Room 205 Celina, OH 45822 419-586-6461 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Check the Warrant Search Portal: Active warrants in Mercer County can be searched online through the Sheriff's Office warrant database.
Request Records from Municipal Police Departments: Local police departments maintain their own arrest records for incidents within their jurisdiction. Celina Police Department 225 North Main Street Celina, OH 45822 419-586-2345 Hours: 24 hours daily (Records Division: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday)

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection during regular business hours and make copies available at cost within a reasonable period of time. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth when possible.

Contents of a Mercer County Arrest Record

Mercer County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies. A typical arrest record includes:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; arrest method; and whether force was used
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Ohio Revised Code or local ordinances, including statute numbers and charge descriptions
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and photograph (mugshot)
Case Processing Data: Court case number, bail/bond amount, detention status, and preliminary hearing date
Vehicle Information: If applicable, details about vehicles involved in the incident
Property Inventory: List of personal property taken into custody during booking
Medical Screening Notes: General health status at time of booking (with protected health information redacted)

In accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, medical information beyond basic status, and information related to confidential informants. Juvenile arrest records are generally not public unless the case is transferred to adult court pursuant to § 2152.12.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Mercer County

The expungement process in Mercer County follows procedures established under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which provides for the sealing of criminal records under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements:

First-time offenders may apply for expungement one year after final discharge for misdemeanors and three years after final discharge for felonies (§ 2953.32)
Individuals with multiple convictions face additional waiting periods and restrictions as outlined in § 2953.31
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be sealed immediately upon final disposition (§ 2953.52)
Certain offenses, including most violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement under § 2953.36

The expungement application process requires:

Filing a petition with the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas Mercer County Court of Common Pleas 101 North Main Street Celina, OH 45822 419-586-2224 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Payment of filing fees (approximately $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies, with fee waivers available for indigent applicants)
Completion of a background check through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Attendance at a hearing where the court considers factors including the applicant's rehabilitation, the nature of the offense, and any governmental need to maintain the records

Upon granting of expungement, all public records of the arrest and conviction are sealed from public view pursuant to § 2953.32(C)(2). Law enforcement agencies, however, retain access to sealed records for specific purposes outlined in § 2953.32(D). Expunged records will not appear in standard background checks, though they may be discoverable in certain employment contexts, particularly those involving vulnerable populations.

Search Arrest Records in Mercer County

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