Dayton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dayton, Ohio?
Arrest records are public in Dayton, 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 accessible to any person upon request. The Ohio Public Records Act establishes that public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person during regular business hours. The statute further mandates that copies of public records must be made available at cost within a reasonable period of time.
The Dayton Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records are subject to public disclosure with certain statutory exceptions that protect sensitive information, ongoing investigations, and individual privacy in specific circumstances. The public accessibility of arrest records serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability in the criminal justice system.
How to Look Up Dayton Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Dayton, Ohio, as of 2025. The City of Dayton has implemented several access points to facilitate public record retrieval in compliance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:
Submit a public records request through the City of Dayton's designated portal, which processes requests pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act.
Visit the Dayton Police Department Records Section in person to request and review arrest records during regular business hours.
Dayton Police Department Records Section
335 W. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 333-1070
Dayton Police Department
Access the Dayton Municipal Court online case search system for information on arrests that have resulted in criminal charges within the court's jurisdiction.
Contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for arrest records related to incidents under their jurisdiction.
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
345 W. Second Street
Dayton, OH 45422
(937) 225-4357
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
- Utilize third-party aggregator services that compile public records, though these may not always contain complete or current information and may charge additional fees.
Requestors should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted in accordance with Ohio law, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to minors.
Contents of a Dayton Arrest Record
Dayton arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals by law enforcement authorities. These records are maintained in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and local record-keeping protocols. A typical Dayton arrest record includes the following components:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Ohio Revised Code or Dayton Municipal Code citations
Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking details, including the booking number, date, and time of processing
Custody status information, including bond amount if applicable
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Photographic documentation (mugshots) taken during the booking process
Property inventory listing items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest
Preliminary case disposition information, if available
The Dayton Police Department maintains these records in both physical and digital formats, with increasing emphasis on digital storage and retrieval systems to improve efficiency and accessibility. The Dayton Police Department follows established protocols for the collection, storage, and dissemination of arrest record information in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dayton
The expungement process in Dayton provides a legal mechanism for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances prescribed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. When an arrest record is expunged, it is removed from public access, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Dayton include:
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must have no more than two misdemeanor convictions, or one misdemeanor and one felony conviction, and must wait at least one year after final discharge.
For felony convictions: Applicants must wait at least three years after final discharge and meet additional statutory requirements.
For cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal: Applicants may apply immediately following the conclusion of proceedings.
For cases involving first-time offenders under Ohio's "Treatment in Lieu of Conviction" program: Special provisions apply pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2951.041.
The expungement application process requires:
Filing a petition with the Dayton Municipal Court for misdemeanors or the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas for felonies.
Payment of the applicable filing fee (approximately $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies as of 2025).
Attendance at a scheduled hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition based on statutory criteria.
If granted, the court will issue an order to all relevant agencies to seal the record.
Dayton Municipal Court
301 W. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 333-4131
Dayton Municipal Court
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
41 N. Perry Street
Dayton, OH 45422
(937) 225-4512
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent crimes, sex offenses, offenses against minors, and offenses where the victim was under 13 years of age. Additionally, individuals with pending criminal charges are ineligible until those matters are resolved.
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