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Massillon Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Massillon, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Massillon, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute establishes that government records, including those created by law enforcement agencies in Massillon, must be made available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Ohio Public Records Act serves to promote transparency and accountability in governmental operations by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding arrests and other law enforcement activities within their communities.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions. Such exemptions may include information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information that is protected under state or federal law.

How to Look Up Massillon Arrest Records in 2025

The Massillon Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city limits. Individuals seeking arrest records in Massillon have several methods available to access this information:

Visit the Massillon Police Department Records Office: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Records Office located at the Municipal Government Center.

Massillon Police Department Records Office
2 James Duncan Plaza, SE, Suite 1
Massillon, OH 44646
Phone: 330-830-1735
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Stark County Clerk of Courts: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the county court system.

Stark County Clerk of Courts
101 W. Tuscarawas Street
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-451-7786
Official Website

Online Access: The Massillon Municipal Court provides online access to certain court records, including those related to arrests that have resulted in charges filed with the court.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the arrest in question, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at all reasonable times during regular business hours.

Contents of a Massillon Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Massillon Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Detailed narrative of the alleged offense and circumstances leading to arrest
Arresting agency information and identification of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Enumeration of charges filed at the time of arrest
Bail or bond information, when applicable
Case disposition information, if available
Incident report number for reference purposes

The Records Office of the Massillon Police Department is responsible for processing and maintaining these arrest reports in accordance with departmental policies and state records retention schedules. Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-9-12, law enforcement agencies must maintain certain records for specified periods depending on the nature of the record.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Massillon is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43) establishes the fundamental right of access to government records, including arrest records. This statute operates under the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted by law.

The Massillon Municipal Court and Massillon Police Department are bound by these regulations when processing requests for arrest records. Key legal provisions affecting access include:

Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1) defines public records as records kept by any public office
Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1) requires public offices to promptly prepare records for inspection
Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(2) permits requestors to choose the medium in which they receive records
Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6) limits the fees that may be charged for copies of public records

Certain exemptions may apply to arrest records, including information related to uncharged suspects, confidential informants, or details that might compromise an ongoing investigation. The City of Massillon departments must carefully review records to ensure that exempt information is properly redacted before release.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Massillon

The expungement of arrest records in Massillon is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. This legal process allows eligible individuals to have their arrest records sealed from public view under specific circumstances. When an arrest record is expunged, it is treated as if the arrest never occurred for most purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Massillon 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 may face additional waiting periods or restrictions
Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be eligible for immediate expungement

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Massillon Municipal Court or Stark County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the nature of the case. The court conducts a hearing to determine whether the applicant meets statutory requirements and whether the public interest in maintaining the record is outweighed by the applicant's interest in having it sealed.

Massillon Municipal Court
1 James Duncan Plaza, SE
Massillon, OH 44646
Phone: 330-830-1700
Official Website

Upon granting an expungement, the court orders all official records pertaining to the case sealed, including those held by the Massillon Police Department. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(C)(2), the proceedings in the case shall be considered not to have occurred, and the record of the case shall be sealed.

Limitations on Using Arrest Record Information

The use of arrest record information obtained from Massillon city departments is subject to important legal restrictions designed to protect individual rights. Ohio law places significant limitations on how arrest record information may be used, particularly in employment contexts.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.55, it is unlawful for employers to use sealed or expunged records in making employment decisions. Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) regulates the reporting of arrest records by consumer reporting agencies, generally prohibiting the reporting of arrests that did not result in conviction after seven years.

The City of Massillon advises that arrest records should not be used to:

Discriminate in housing, employment, or educational opportunities
Make credit determinations based solely on arrest information
Publish or disseminate information about arrests that did not lead to conviction
Misrepresent the status of expunged or sealed records

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil liability under various state and federal laws, including the Ohio Civil Rights Act and federal civil rights statutes. Individuals who believe their rights have been violated regarding the improper use of arrest record information may seek legal counsel to explore potential remedies.