Pickaway County, Ohio Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Pickaway County, Ohio?
Arrest records in Pickaway County, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, must be made available for public inspection. The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, confidential informants, and juvenile records as outlined in § 149.43(A)(1)(h).
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions. These records enable citizens to monitor law enforcement activities, promote transparency in the criminal justice system, and provide necessary information for background checks. The Pickaway County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Ohio Historical Society and the State Records Administration.
Individuals seeking arrest records may encounter certain restrictions. Records pertaining to juveniles receive special protection under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.358, which limits public access to such information. Additionally, records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld pursuant to § 149.43(A)(2)(c) until the investigation concludes.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pickaway County?
Digital access to Pickaway County arrest records is available through several official platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Pickaway County Sheriff's Office provides an online database that contains arrest information dating back approximately 10 years. This database is updated regularly in compliance with Ohio Administrative Code 113:53-3-09, which establishes standards for electronic record maintenance.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction maintains a comprehensive offender search database that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system. This resource provides details about current inmates and those released from custody, including their arrest information, conviction details, and custody status.
Online access to these records is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits governmental agencies to provide records in electronic format. Users of these online systems should note that while basic information is typically available without charge, fees may apply for certified copies or extensive searches as permitted under § 149.43(F).
How to Look Up Pickaway County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Pickaway County as of 2025. Members of the public may utilize any of the following methods to access these documents:
Pickaway County Sheriff's Office Records Division
600 Island Road
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-2176
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Records Division processes requests for arrest records in person, by mail, or via their official website. Requestors must complete a Public Records Request Form and provide identification. Standard processing time is 3-5 business days pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1).
Pickaway County Clerk of Courts
207 South Court Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-6026
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMThe Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings. These records may be requested in person or through the county's online court records portal.
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
1560 State Route 56 SW
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2000The BCI provides comprehensive criminal history checks that include arrest records from all Ohio counties. Individuals may request their own criminal records through this agency, which maintains the state's central repository for criminal history information.
Circleville Municipal Court
151 East Franklin Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-3150
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Municipal Court maintains records of arrests within its jurisdiction and provides public access to these documents in accordance with Ohio court access rules.
Contents of a Pickaway County Arrest Record
Arrest records in Pickaway County contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any documented aliases or known identifiers.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the statutory authority under which the arrest was made.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Ohio Revised Code or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including the degree of each offense (felony or misdemeanor) and the corresponding code section.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether the individual was released on bail, the amount of bail set, court appearance dates, and ultimate resolution of the charges.
Agency Identifiers: Case numbers, incident report numbers, and other administrative identifiers used by law enforcement agencies to track the arrest through the criminal justice system.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Pickaway County
The expungement process in Pickaway County operates under the authority of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which provides mechanisms for sealing criminal records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the court that handled their case, typically either the Pickaway County Court of Common Pleas or Circleville Municipal Court.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pickaway County 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 cannot have more than one felony conviction.
For cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal: Applications may be filed immediately following the conclusion of the case.
The expungement process requires submission of a formal application, payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies), and attendance at a hearing before a judge. If granted, expungement results in the sealing of records from public view, though certain government agencies retain limited access pursuant to § 2953.32(D).
Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally state that the arrest did not occur when asked by private employers or other non-governmental entities. However, expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, licensing boards, and certain employers as specified in § 2953.32(D)(1).
Appeals of expungement denials may be filed with the Fourth District Court of Appeals within 30 days of the court's decision, as provided in Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure 4(A).
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