>Summit County Arrest Records Online

Summit County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Summit County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Summit County, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation classifies arrest records as public records that must be made available for inspection by any person during regular business hours. The Ohio Public Records Act establishes that all records maintained by public offices, including law enforcement agencies, are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties under Ohio Revised Code § 311.07. These records document the official actions of law enforcement personnel and serve as an important mechanism for governmental transparency and accountability. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may obtain them through various governmental agencies within Summit County.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:

Ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (protected under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14)
Records sealed pursuant to court order
Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Summit County?

Summit County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The County of Summit provides digital access to certain public records through its official website. Additionally, the Summit County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database of court records, including information related to arrests that have resulted in formal charges.

The Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6) permits public offices to adopt policies providing for the transmission of public records via electronic means. Pursuant to this authority, Summit County has implemented several online systems that allow for remote access to arrest records and related information. These systems are designed to enhance public access while maintaining compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.

Online access to arrest records may be obtained through:

The Summit County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
The Summit County Clerk of Courts public access portal
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction offender search database for individuals who have been sentenced to state custody

Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive and may require supplementation through in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

How to Look Up Summit County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Summit County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them under Ohio's public records laws. The following procedures have been established for obtaining these records:

Summit County Sheriff's Office
175 S. Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2181
Summit County Sheriff's Office Records Division

The Records Division accepts public records requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requesters must complete a public records request form, which may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), the Sheriff's Office must promptly prepare records for inspection and make copies available at cost.

Summit County Clerk of Courts
209 S. High Street
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2212
Summit County Clerk of Courts

The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to criminal cases, including information about arrests that have led to formal charges. These records may be accessed through the public terminals at the courthouse or through the Clerk's online portal. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Akron Police Department
217 S. High Street
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 375-2552
Akron Police Department Records

For arrests made by the Akron Police Department, records may be requested directly from their Records Unit. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through their online portal. The Records Unit operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide:

The full name of the person whose record is being sought
Date of birth or approximate age
Date or approximate date of arrest
Case number (if known)

Contents of a Summit County Arrest Record

Summit County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies throughout the state. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in an arrest.

A typical Summit County arrest record includes:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including booking number and processing details
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
Residence address at time of arrest
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Photograph (mugshot) taken during booking process
Disposition information (released on bond, held for court, etc.)
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest

These records are maintained in accordance with the records retention schedule established under Ohio Revised Code § 149.39, which requires law enforcement agencies to preserve arrest records for specified periods based on the nature of the offense and final disposition of the case.

The Ninth District Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Summit County, has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records while balancing privacy concerns in cases involving sensitive information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Summit County

The expungement process in Summit County allows eligible individuals to have their arrest records sealed from public view pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. This legal remedy is designed to mitigate the collateral consequences of an arrest record for those who meet statutory qualifications.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has established guidelines for the expungement process, which is administered through the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. Eligibility criteria include:

First-time offenders who have completed all terms of their sentence
Individuals arrested but not convicted (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52)
Persons convicted of certain minor misdemeanors after specified waiting periods
Individuals convicted of eligible felonies after a waiting period of three years from final discharge
Victims of human trafficking with convictions related to their victimization

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Summit County Clerk of Courts
Payment of filing fees (currently $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies)
Completion of a background check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Attendance at a hearing before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Issuance of a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the record

Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is sealed and removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies and certain governmental entities retain limited access to sealed records under specific circumstances outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).

The Summit County Adult Probation Department offers assistance to individuals seeking expungement through their record sealing clinic, which provides guidance on eligibility and application procedures.

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