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Zanesville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Zanesville, Ohio?

Arrest records in Zanesville, Ohio are classified as public records pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made within Zanesville city limits, shall be accessible to members of the public. The statute serves to promote transparency in law enforcement operations and ensures accountability of public officials through citizen oversight.

The Zanesville Police Department and Muskingum County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules. Individuals seeking arrest information may obtain these documents without demonstrating a specific purpose or justification for their request, as stipulated by Ohio law. However, certain portions of arrest records may be redacted if they contain protected information as defined in § 149.43(A)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code.

How to Look Up Zanesville Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Zanesville as of 2025. The Muskingum County Clerk of Courts maintains the official court records related to arrests within the county jurisdiction. Requestors may utilize any of the following methods to obtain arrest documentation:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the records division during standard business hours to submit requests.

Zanesville Police Department
332 South Street
Zanesville, OH 43701
(740) 455-0700
Zanesville Police Department

Muskingum County Sheriff's Office
1840 East Pike
Zanesville, OH 43701
(740) 452-3637
Muskingum County Sheriff

Online Access: The Muskingum County Clerk of Courts provides electronic access to court records through their official portal. Users may search by name, case number, or date range.
Written Requests: Standard mail requests must include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Requests should be directed to the appropriate agency's records division.
Third-Party Vendors: Commercial background check services may provide arrest record information, though these sources may not contain the most current data and typically charge processing fees.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at reasonable times during regular business hours. Reproduction costs may not exceed the actual cost of duplication.

Contents of a Zanesville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Zanesville law enforcement agencies and the Muskingum County court system typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10. These documents generally include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and other identifying characteristics of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; 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 classifications (felony or misdemeanor).
Booking Information: Fingerprint records, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), and unique identification numbers assigned during processing.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including bail or bond amounts, court appearance dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions may be included if relevant to the current charges.

It should be noted that certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to minors, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(dd).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Zanesville

The State of Ohio provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Zanesville. This process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
Successful completion of diversion programs
First-time offenders meeting statutory waiting periods
Victims of human trafficking with convictions related to their victimization

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal applications with the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas. Standard filing fees apply, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants.

Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas
401 Main Street
Zanesville, OH 43701
(740) 455-7102
Muskingum County Courts

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office receives notification and may file objections. If the court grants the expungement, an order is issued directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. Once sealed, these records are no longer accessible to the general public, though certain governmental entities retain limited access rights as specified in § 2953.32(D).

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Zanesville are generally public, Ohio law establishes specific exceptions and limitations to protect certain interests. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.358, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and are not publicly accessible without a court order.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been officially sealed or expunged by judicial order are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to active investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement activities, as permitted under § 149.43(A)(2)(a).
Privacy Protections: Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, and medical data are subject to redaction prior to public disclosure.
Commercial Use Restrictions: Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(H) prohibits public offices from limiting access based on intended commercial use of records, but certain commercial uses of booking photographs are restricted under § 2923.129.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties, including statutory damages of $100 per day (maximum $1,000) plus attorney fees and court costs as provided in § 149.43(C)(2).

Arrest Record Verification in Zanesville

Official verification of arrest records in Zanesville requires adherence to established protocols to ensure accuracy and authenticity. The Muskingum County government maintains the authoritative repositories for these records.

Individuals seeking verified copies of arrest records should:

Request certified copies directly from the originating agency
Provide proper identification when submitting requests
Specify whether standard or certified copies are required
Be prepared to pay applicable certification fees

Certified copies bear official seals and signatures, rendering them acceptable for legal proceedings, employment verification, housing applications, and other formal purposes. Standard copies may suffice for personal reference but lack official authentication.

The Zanesville Municipal Court and Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas can provide verification of case dispositions related to arrests within their respective jurisdictions.

Zanesville Municipal Court
332 South Street
Zanesville, OH 43701
(740) 455-0770
Zanesville Municipal Court

Verification requests typically require processing periods of 3-5 business days, though expedited service may be available for additional fees in certain circumstances.