>Shelby County Arrest Records Online

Shelby County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Shelby County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Shelby County, Ohio, 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 accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by promoting accountability within the justice system.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by various Shelby County agencies, including the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts. These records typically document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials on suspicion of criminal activity.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:

• Ongoing investigations • Juvenile offenders (pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14) • Records sealed by court order • Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest

Shelby County Sheriff's Office 555 Gearhart Road Sidney, OH 45365 Phone: 937-498-1111 Official Website

Shelby County Clerk of Courts Shelby County Courthouse 129 East Court Street Sidney, OH 45365 Phone: 937-498-7221 Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Shelby County?

Shelby County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official online platforms. The Shelby County Commissioner's Office maintains a public records search portal where citizens may access various court and law enforcement records, including information related to arrests.

The online availability of arrest records is subject to the following conditions:

• Records are typically updated on a regular basis, though there may be a delay between an arrest and its appearance in online databases • Complete arrest records may not be available online, and certain information may be redacted in accordance with Ohio privacy laws • Some detailed information may require in-person requests at the appropriate county office • Access to certain specialized databases may require registration or payment of nominal fees

The Shelby County Jail & Offender Information page provides current information about individuals in custody at the Shelby County Correctional Facility, a 188-bed facility located in Sidney, Ohio.

Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 5120:1-1-36, certain offender information is made available to the public through these online resources to facilitate transparency while balancing privacy considerations.

How to Look Up Shelby County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Shelby County have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following procedures are established for accessing these public documents:

In-Person Requests:

• Visit the Shelby County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) to submit a records request. Proper identification may be required, and fees for copying services may apply.

• The Shelby County Clerk of Courts maintains court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges. These records may be requested at the courthouse during regular business hours.

• The Sidney Municipal Court provides access to records for cases within its jurisdiction, including arrests leading to misdemeanor charges.

Online Access:

• The Shelby County Public Records Search portal allows for remote access to many arrest records. Users may search by name, case number, or date range.

• Request Reports through the Sheriff's Office website for specific incident reports related to arrests.

Written Requests:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency by mail. Requests should include:

• Full name of the subject • Date of birth or approximate age (if known) • Date or approximate timeframe of the arrest • Requestor's contact information • Purpose of the request (optional)

Fees for record retrieval and copying are established pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1) and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested.

Contents of a Shelby County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Shelby County law enforcement agencies and the Shelby County Common Pleas Court typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system and generally include:

• Biographical information of the arrested individual:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address (may be redacted in public versions)
Fingerprints and photograph (booking photo)

• Arrest details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory authority for the arrest
Circumstances leading to the arrest

• Criminal charges:

Specific violations of Ohio law alleged
Statutory citations for each charge
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Weapon involvement (if applicable)

• Case processing information:

Booking details and inmate number
Bail or bond determination
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if resolved)

Juvenile arrest records are subject to different standards of disclosure pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14 and are typically maintained separately by the Shelby County Juvenile Court.

The completeness of publicly available arrest records may vary based on the status of the case, with records related to ongoing investigations potentially containing redactions as permitted under Ohio's public records laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Shelby County

The expungement process in Shelby County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to seal arrest records from public view. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Shelby County include:

• First-time offenders may apply for expungement one year after final discharge for misdemeanors and three years after final discharge for felonies • Individuals with multiple convictions face more restrictive eligibility requirements • Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement • Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be sealed immediately upon disposition

The expungement procedure requires:

• Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case • Payment of filing fees (approximately $50, though fee waivers may be available) • Attendance at a hearing before a judge who will determine if the applicant meets statutory requirements • Demonstration that the applicant's interest in sealing the records outweighs the government's interest in maintaining them

When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by Ohio law. The practical effect is that the record will not appear in standard background checks, and the individual may legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel familiar with Shelby County procedures, as the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements.