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Circleville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Circleville, Ohio?

Arrest records in Circleville, Ohio are public documents pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours. The Ohio Public Records Act serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities, thereby enabling citizens to remain informed about criminal justice proceedings within their community.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information contained within these records may be redacted in accordance with Ohio law. Such redactions typically include Social Security numbers, medical information, and details pertaining to ongoing investigations that, if disclosed, might compromise law enforcement efforts or judicial proceedings.

How to Look Up Circleville Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Circleville maintains multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records as of 2025. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare and make available for inspection all public records, including arrest documentation. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:

Submit a public records request directly to the Circleville Police Department, which maintains primary custody of arrest records within city limits.
Visit the Circleville Police Department in person to submit a records request:

Circleville Police Department
151 East Franklin Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-8888
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Access records through the Pickaway County Clerk of Courts for cases that have proceeded to court:

Pickaway County Clerk of Courts
207 South Court Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-6026
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Circleville Municipal Court online portal for cases processed through the municipal court system:

Circleville Municipal Court
151 East Franklin Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-3585
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Requestors should note that while Ohio law does not require disclosure of identity or intended use when requesting public records, providing specific information about the desired records will facilitate more efficient processing of the request.

Contents of a Circleville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Circleville Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Pickaway County typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code § 4501:2-10. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest and generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Date of birth and demographic information including age, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Residential address at time of arrest (may be redacted in certain public copies)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
Case number and incident report identifiers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers collected during processing
Custody status information, including bail determination if applicable
Preliminary hearing dates and initial court appearances

The Circleville Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the department's records retention schedule as approved by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.39.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Circleville is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and local levels. Ohio's commitment to governmental transparency is codified in the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43), which establishes the presumption that public records shall be promptly available for inspection to any person during regular business hours.

The City of Circleville has implemented specific procedures for records access in accordance with state requirements. Municipal Ordinance 220-17, adopted pursuant to authority granted under the Ohio Revised Code, establishes the following provisions:

Public records requests may be submitted verbally or in writing
Requests need not include the requestor's identity or intended use of the records
Records must be provided at actual cost, not including labor charges for preparation
Records must be provided in the medium requested if the public office can reasonably do so
Denial of records must include explanation and legal authority

The Circleville Police Department, as the primary custodian of arrest records within city limits, has established internal policies (Policy Directive 2023-05) to ensure compliance with these legal requirements. These policies include provisions for redaction of protected information and procedures for expedited processing of time-sensitive requests.

Individuals seeking arrest records should be aware that while the law provides for broad access, certain exceptions exist under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(a)-(mm) that may limit disclosure in specific circumstances.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Circleville

The State of Ohio provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained by Circleville authorities. This process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.61, which establishes criteria for eligibility and procedures for application.

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or no bill from grand jury
First-time offenders who have completed all court-ordered requirements
Certain non-violent offenses after specified waiting periods
Victims of human trafficking with convictions related to their victimization

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the court of original jurisdiction:

Pickaway County Court of Common Pleas
207 South Court Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-6026
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Circleville Municipal Court
151 East Franklin Street
Circleville, OH 43113
(740) 474-3585
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the Circleville City Prosecutor's Office, which may file objections. The court will consider factors including the petitioner's criminal history, evidence of rehabilitation, and the public interest in maintaining the record.

If granted, an expungement order directs all governmental agencies, including the Circleville Police Department, to seal the records pertaining to the case. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(C)(2), the proceedings shall be deemed not to have occurred, and the individual may respond accordingly to inquiries about their criminal record.