Put-in-Bay Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Put-in-Bay, Ohio?
Arrest records in Put-in-Bay, Ohio are classified as public documents pursuant to Ohio's Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The statute serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and ensures accountability within the criminal justice system.
Members of the public may access these records regardless of their purpose or relationship to the arrested individual. However, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly when the records contain sensitive personal identifiers or information pertaining to ongoing investigations.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, which provides law enforcement services to Put-in-Bay, maintains these records in compliance with state retention schedules as prescribed by the Ohio Historical Society and the State Records Administration.
How to Look Up Put-in-Bay Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple avenues exist for individuals seeking to obtain arrest records in Put-in-Bay. The following methods are available pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B), which requires public offices to promptly prepare records for inspection:
• Put-in-Bay Police Department: Citizens may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. Records custodians will process requests during regular business hours.
Put-in-Bay Police Department
431 Catawba Avenue
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
(419) 285-4121
Put-in-Bay Police Department
• Ottawa County Sheriff's Office: As the primary law enforcement agency for the county encompassing Put-in-Bay, the Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records.
Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
315 Madison Street
Port Clinton, OH 43452
(419) 734-4404
Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
• Ottawa County Clerk of Courts: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings, are maintained by this office.
Ottawa County Clerk of Courts
315 Madison Street, Room 304
Port Clinton, OH 43452
(419) 734-6755
Ottawa County Clerk of Courts
• Online Access Systems: The Ottawa County Municipal Court provides electronic access to certain case information through their online portal. Users must comply with the terms of service when accessing these systems.
Requestors should note that pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, certain fees may apply for copies of records. Standard document reproduction costs are $0.05 per page for black and white copies and $0.10 per page for color copies. Certified copies may incur additional charges as established by local ordinance.
Contents of a Put-in-Bay Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Put-in-Bay law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10. These records generally include:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name
- Known aliases or nicknames
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies)
• Arrest details:
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Statutory violations cited (Ohio Revised Code sections)
- Narrative description of the alleged criminal activity
- Weapons or contraband seized during the arrest
- Property inventory taken during booking procedures
• Law enforcement information:
- Arresting officer's name, badge number, and agency
- Booking officer's identification
- Witness statements (with appropriate redactions)
- Incident report number and related case identifiers
• Post-arrest processing:
- Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Detention facility assignment
- Bail or bond information
- Initial court appearance scheduling
• Case disposition information:
- Charges formally filed by the prosecutor
- Court case numbers
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Final disposition (if available)
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information may be withheld from public disclosure, including confidential informant identities, intelligence information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Put-in-Bay
The State of Ohio provides statutory mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953. Individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public access in Put-in-Bay must adhere to these provisions.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
• For arrests not resulting in conviction:
- Individuals may apply for expungement immediately after charges are dismissed or a not guilty verdict is rendered (ORC § 2953.52)
- The application must be filed with the court where the case was adjudicated
- No pending criminal proceedings may exist at the time of application
• For convictions:
- First-time offenders may apply for record sealing after a prescribed waiting period (typically one year for misdemeanors and three years for felonies) pursuant to ORC § 2953.32
- Applicants must demonstrate rehabilitation and a legitimate interest in having records sealed
- Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are statutorily ineligible for expungement
The expungement process requires:
• Filing a formal petition with the Ottawa County Municipal Court or Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the level of the original offense • Payment of filing fees (approximately $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies) • Attendance at a hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition • Notification to the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office, which may contest the application
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. These agencies include the Put-in-Bay Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings or for certain employment positions as specified in ORC § 2953.32(D).
Search Arrest Records in Put-in-Bay
• Put-In-Bay Municipal Court Records • Ottawa County Sheriff Inmate Search • Ohio Court Records Online • Ottawa County Clerk of Courts Case Search
