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Bath Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bath, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Bath, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The statute is designed to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records maintained by public agencies throughout the state, including those in Bath Township, Summit County.

The Ohio Public Records Act specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest logs, incident reports, and booking information, as public records subject to disclosure. Exceptions to disclosure exist for certain sensitive information, such as ongoing investigation details or juvenile records, as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1). However, basic arrest information remains accessible to the public in accordance with state law.

Law enforcement agencies in Summit County, including the Bath Township Police Department, maintain these records and must comply with public records requests in a timely manner as mandated by state regulations.

How to Look Up Bath Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bath, Ohio have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The following methods are authorized under Ohio's public records statutes:

  • Visit the Bath Township Police Department in person to request arrest records. Records requests may be submitted during regular business hours.

    Bath Township Police Department
    3864 West Bath Road
    Akron, OH 44333
    Phone: 330-666-3736
    Bath Township Police Department
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Submit requests to the Summit County Clerk of Courts, which maintains court records related to arrests within its jurisdiction, including those occurring in Bath Township.

    Summit County Clerk of Courts
    209 South High Street
    Akron, OH 44308
    Phone: 330-643-2212
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Access the Akron Municipal Court records, which has jurisdiction over Bath Township as established in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1901.

    Akron Municipal Court
    217 South High Street
    Akron, OH 44308
    Phone: 330-375-2120
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Utilize online public record databases maintained by Summit County law enforcement agencies and courts. These databases are regularly updated in accordance with Ohio's public records maintenance requirements.

  • Submit a written public records request via mail or email to the appropriate agency, citing Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 as the legal basis for the request.

Pursuant to Ohio law, agencies must respond to public records requests within a reasonable timeframe. Requestors may be required to provide identification and may be charged reasonable fees for copying or certification of records as permitted under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6).

Contents of a Bath Arrest Record

Bath arrest records contain standardized information as required by Ohio law enforcement protocols and state auditing standards. These records typically include the following components:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identifications
  • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest within Bath Township
  • Detailed description of the alleged offense(s), including applicable Ohio Revised Code violations
  • Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony) and degree
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) from the Bath Township Police Department
  • Booking information, including processing date and time
  • Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process
  • Fingerprint records and other biometric identification data
  • Case number assigned for tracking within the Summit County judicial system
  • Initial court appearance information, including date, time, and location
  • Bail or bond information, if applicable
  • Detention facility information if the individual was remanded to custody

As documented in State v. Malson, 2019-Ohio-4447, arrest records from the Bath Township Police Department serve as official documentation in subsequent court proceedings. These records are maintained in accordance with Ohio's records retention schedules as established by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives division.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Bath are generally public, Ohio law establishes certain limitations on access to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations:

  • Records pertaining to juveniles (under 18 years of age) are subject to restricted access under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14, with limited exceptions for specific authorized parties.
  • Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under the investigatory records exception in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h).
  • Records containing confidential informant identities are protected from disclosure pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(g).
  • Medical information contained within arrest records is subject to redaction under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations.
  • Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers must be redacted prior to public disclosure as required by Ohio Revised Code § 149.45.
  • Sealed or expunged records are not available for public inspection, as detailed in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 and § 2953.52.

Government agencies in Bath Township must balance public access rights with these statutory protections when responding to records requests. Requestors may appeal denied requests through administrative channels or seek judicial review in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bath

Individuals with arrest records in Bath, Ohio may petition for expungement under specific circumstances outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. Expungement effectively seals the record from public view, though certain government agencies retain limited access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Bath 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 additional restrictions as detailed in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31(A).
  • Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are ineligible for expungement under Ohio law.
  • Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be sealed immediately upon conclusion of proceedings.

The expungement process requires:

  1. Filing a petition with the court of original jurisdiction, typically the Akron Municipal Court for Bath Township cases
  2. Payment of filing fees as established by the court (approximately $50-$100)
  3. Completion of a criminal background check
  4. Attendance at a scheduled hearing before a judge
  5. Demonstration that the applicant meets all statutory requirements and that expungement serves the public interest

Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Bath Township Police Department, to seal the records. The individual may thereafter legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain employment applications as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.33.

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