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McConnelsville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in McConnelsville, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in McConnelsville, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public offices, including law enforcement agencies, are subject to public inspection and copying. The Ohio Public Records Act serves as the legal foundation for transparency in governmental operations, ensuring citizens have access to information regarding arrests, bookings, and other law enforcement activities conducted within the jurisdiction of McConnelsville and Morgan County.

The public nature of these records supports governmental accountability and allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities. Pursuant to state law, these records must be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person during regular business hours. Requesters may obtain copies at cost, as prescribed by the statute. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under specific statutory exemptions, such as confidential informant identities or ongoing investigation details.

How to Look Up McConnelsville Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in McConnelsville, Ohio. The following methods are available to requesters pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the McConnelsville Police Department located at 9 West Main Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Records custodians are required by law to make records available during regular business hours.
Morgan County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff maintains comprehensive arrest records for the county, including McConnelsville arrests. Their office is located at 37 East Main Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756. Telephone: (740) 962-4044. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Morgan County Clerk of Courts: The Morgan County Courts maintain records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges. The Clerk's Office is situated in the Morgan County Courthouse at 19 East Main Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756. Telephone: (740) 962-4752. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Online Resources: The Morgan County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of recent arrests and inmate information. This resource is updated regularly and provides basic arrest information to the public.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Ohio law, citizens may submit written public records requests to the appropriate agency. Requests should specify the records sought with reasonable clarity.

Contents of a McConnelsville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by McConnelsville law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code § 5120:1-1-21. These records generally include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers and charge descriptions. Both misdemeanor and felony charges are documented.
Case Identifiers: Unique booking number, case number, and other administrative identifiers used for tracking the case through the criminal justice system.
Biometric Data: Fingerprints collected during booking procedures and stored in accordance with Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation requirements.
Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken from front and side views, dated and labeled with the arrestee's identifying information.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, release conditions, or continued detention.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions may be included if relevant to the current case or charging decisions.
Property Inventory: Listing of personal property taken from the arrestee during the booking process.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Ohio

The management and accessibility of arrest records in McConnelsville operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by Ohio statutes. This framework balances public access rights with privacy considerations and law enforcement needs.

The Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43) establishes the fundamental right of access to public records, including arrest records. Under this statute, public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection during regular business hours. Copies must be provided at cost within a reasonable period.

Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61 governs the sealing and expungement of criminal records, providing mechanisms for eligible individuals to limit public access to certain arrest records under specific circumstances.

The Ohio Criminal Justice Information System (OCJIS) regulations establish protocols for the electronic sharing of arrest information between law enforcement agencies throughout the state, ensuring McConnelsville arrest data is properly documented and accessible to authorized criminal justice personnel.

Federal regulations, including 28 CFR Part 20, establish guidelines for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information that applies to all Ohio jurisdictions, including McConnelsville.

Expungement of Arrest Records in McConnelsville

The expungement process in McConnelsville follows procedures established under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. Eligible individuals may petition the Criminal Court of Morgan County to have arrest records sealed from public view under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in McConnelsville include:

First-time offenders may apply for expungement one year after final discharge for misdemeanors and three years after final discharge for felonies.
Individuals with multiple convictions face additional waiting periods and restrictions.
Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are statutorily ineligible for expungement.
Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or no-bill from the grand jury may qualify for immediate expungement.

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Morgan County Court of Common Pleas located at 19 East Main Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756.
Payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies).
Notification to the Morgan County Prosecutor's Office, which may object to the expungement.
Judicial review and determination based on statutory eligibility and the petitioner's rehabilitation.

Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies but are removed from public access.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in McConnelsville are generally public, certain statutory limitations restrict access to specific information. These limitations serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and other compelling governmental interests.

Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1) enumerates specific categories of records exempt from public disclosure, including:

Medical information of arrestees
Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers
Information that would endanger the safety of law enforcement personnel
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations where release would impede law enforcement
Juvenile arrest records, which are subject to different confidentiality standards under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14

Additionally, federal laws including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may further restrict the disclosure of certain information contained within arrest records.

The Morgan County Job and Family Services department, located at 155 East Main Street, Room 009, McConnelsville, OH 43756 (Telephone: 740-962-4616), provides assistance to individuals concerned about the impact of public arrest records on employment or benefits eligibility.