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Celina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Celina, Ohio?

Arrest records in Celina, Ohio are considered public information pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Ohio Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Celina and surrounding areas within the county. These records document interactions between law enforcement and individuals who have been taken into custody. Under Ohio law, these records must be made available for public inspection during regular business hours, with reasonable accommodations for copying as needed.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which identifies specific categories of records exempt from disclosure. Such exemptions may include information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information that could compromise an individual's privacy or safety.

How to Look Up Celina Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Celina have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these records:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office located at 4835 State Route 29, Celina, OH 45822. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (419) 586-7724.
Written requests for arrest records can be submitted to the Records Division of the Mercer County Sheriff's Office. 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 of time.
The Mercer County Clerk of Courts provides access to court records related to arrests through their public access terminal located at 101 North Main Street, Room 303, Celina, OH 45822. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached at (419) 586-3178.
Online access to certain arrest information is available through the Mercer County Sheriff's Office website, which maintains a current roster of individuals in custody at the county detention facility.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any additional identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of a Celina Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Celina typically contain comprehensive documentation of the circumstances surrounding an individual's 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
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Statutory violations and charges filed against the individual, with reference to applicable Ohio Revised Code sections
Name, badge number, and department of the arresting officer(s)
Narrative description of the incident leading to the arrest, including probable cause determination
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Property inventory documenting items in the individual's possession at the time of arrest
Initial appearance information, including bail determination and court dates
Detention facility assignment if the individual was remanded to custody

The Common Pleas Court of Mercer County maintains additional documentation related to subsequent court proceedings at 101 North Main Street, Room 301, Celina, Ohio 45822. The court can be contacted at (419) 586-2122 for information regarding case progression following arrest.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The disclosure of arrest records in Celina is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and federal levels. Ohio's commitment to governmental transparency is codified in the following statutes and regulations:

Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. This statute defines what constitutes a public record and outlines the procedures for requesting such information.

The Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) provides additional federal protections for public access to government information, though local arrest records are primarily governed by state law.

Law enforcement agencies in Celina must balance public access rights with privacy considerations. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h) exempts confidential law enforcement investigatory records from disclosure when release would create a high probability of disclosing specific sensitive information.

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office has established administrative procedures for record requests in compliance with Ohio Administrative Code 128-4-02, which governs records management for law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Individuals seeking arrest records should be aware that while these records are generally public, certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with applicable exemptions under state and federal law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Celina

Under Ohio law, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained in Celina. This legal process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, which establishes criteria for eligibility and procedures for application.

The expungement process typically involves the following steps:

Filing a petition with the Mercer County Common Pleas Court at 101 North Main Street, Room 301, Celina, Ohio 45822
Payment of applicable filing fees as determined by the court
Completion of a criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Scheduling of a hearing before a judge to determine eligibility
Issuance of a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge records if the petition is granted

Eligibility for expungement in Ohio generally requires that:

The applicant has been convicted of no more than one felony, two misdemeanors, or one felony and one misdemeanor
The applicant has completed all terms of their sentence, including probation and payment of fines
Sufficient time has elapsed since the completion of the sentence (typically one year for misdemeanors and three years for felonies)
The offense is not among those statutorily excluded from expungement consideration

Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement under Ohio law. Additionally, individuals with pending criminal charges are not eligible until those matters are resolved.

When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32.