>Ross County Arrest Records Online

Ross County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ross County, Ohio?

Arrest records in Ross 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 pertaining to arrests, shall be made available for public inspection. The statute serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies operating in Ross County.

Members of the public may request arrest records from various county agencies without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request. However, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with Ohio law, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and details pertaining to ongoing investigations as specified in ORC § 149.43(A)(1).

The Ross County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. Records are typically retained for a minimum of seven years in compliance with state record retention schedules.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ross County?

Ross County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Ross County Clerk of Courts provides digital access to certain court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This online accessibility is authorized under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits public offices to adopt policies providing for the transmission of public records by electronic means.

The online record system is updated regularly by county personnel, though processing delays may occur between an arrest and the appearance of records in the digital system. Users should note that pursuant to ORC § 149.43(B)(7), the county is not obligated to create new records or formats to accommodate specific requests.

Digital access is provided through the following methods:

The county's official case management system
Public access terminals located at the Ross County Courthouse, 2 N. Paint St., Chillicothe, OH 45601
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search for individuals who have been incarcerated

Requestors seeking comprehensive arrest information may need to supplement online searches with in-person requests, as certain documents may not be digitized in their entirety.

How to Look Up Ross County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Ross County as of 2025. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, these records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person during regular business hours. The following procedures have been established for record retrieval:

Ross County Sheriff's Office
28 N. Paint Street
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 773-1186
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records, arrest reports, and incident documentation. Requestors may submit written applications in person or by mail. Standard processing time is 3-5 business days for non-expedited requests.

Ross County Clerk of Courts
2 N. Paint St., Suite B
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 702-3010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

The Clerk's office maintains court records related to criminal proceedings following arrests. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through the online portal. Fees for certified copies are $1.00 per page pursuant to ORC § 2303.20.

Ross County Recorder's Office
Ross County Courthouse
2 N. Paint Street, Suite H
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 702-3000
Official Website

While primarily responsible for property records, the Recorder's office can provide guidance on accessing public records within the county system.

Requestors should be prepared to provide the following information when seeking arrest records:

Full name of the individual
Date of birth or approximate age
Date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if available)

Contents of a Ross County Arrest Record

Ross County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06 and related statutes. These documents serve as the official record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during an arrest procedure. Standard arrest records in Ross County contain the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of booking
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to ORC § 109.60
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Detention status and bail determination
Case disposition information if available
Court docket numbers for associated legal proceedings

Certain information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information pertaining to minors
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The Ross County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both physical and digital formats. Records are indexed by name, date, and case number to facilitate retrieval upon public request.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ross County

The expungement process in Ross County operates under the authority of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which provides mechanisms for the sealing of criminal records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must file applications with the Ross County Court of Common Pleas.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Ross County include:

For misdemeanor offenses: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge
For felony offenses: Applicants must wait three years after final discharge
First-time offenders may qualify for expedited processing
Individuals with multiple convictions face additional restrictions as outlined in ORC § 2953.31

The application process requires:

Submission of a formal petition to the Ross County Court of Common Pleas
Payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors, $100 for felonies)
Completion of a background check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Attendance at a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge

Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all county agencies to seal the relevant records. Pursuant to ORC § 2953.32(C)(2), these agencies must comply within 60 days of receiving the court order.

The Ross County Prosecutor's Office may object to expungement petitions based on statutory grounds or public interest considerations. The final determination rests with the judicial authority after weighing all relevant factors.

Ross County Court of Common Pleas
2 N. Paint Street
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 702-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website