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.
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).
Bath arrest records contain standardized information as required by Ohio law enforcement protocols and state auditing standards. These records typically include the following components:
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.
While arrest records in Bath are generally public, Ohio law establishes certain limitations on access to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations:
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.
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:
The expungement process requires:
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.