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Northfield Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Northfield, Ohio?

Arrest records are public documents in Northfield, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Village of Northfield adheres to these transparency requirements, ensuring citizens have access to information regarding arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Northfield Village Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Ohio law, which mandates the preservation of public records and establishes protocols for their dissemination.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where release would compromise public safety. However, the presumption under Ohio law favors disclosure, with the burden of proving exemption resting with the governmental entity. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while basic arrest information is generally available, certain sensitive details may be redacted in compliance with privacy provisions outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1).

How to Look Up Northfield Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Northfield as of 2025. The Village of Northfield has implemented systems to facilitate public access to these documents in accordance with Ohio's commitment to governmental transparency. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:

In-Person Requests at Police Department: Citizens may submit requests directly at the Northfield Village Police Department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating and providing available records during regular business hours.

Northfield Village Police Department
10455 Northfield Road
Northfield, OH 44067
(330) 467-7139
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Municipal Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Mayor's Court or Stow Municipal Court, which processes violations of the Village's criminal code.

Northfield Mayor's Court
10455 Northfield Road
Northfield, OH 44067
(330) 467-7139 ext. 11
Hours: Court sessions held bi-weekly on Wednesdays at 5:00 PM

Stow Municipal Court
4400 Courthouse Drive
Stow, OH 44224
(330) 564-4100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Online Public Records Portal: The Village of Northfield maintains an electronic records system where certain public documents, including basic arrest information, may be accessed remotely.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), citizens may submit written public records requests via mail, email, or fax. Requests should specify the information sought with reasonable clarity.

Contents of a Northfield Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Northfield Village Police Department typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio law and departmental policies. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Residence address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable sections of the Northfield Codified Ordinances or Ohio Revised Code
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint information and identification numbers
Custody status and bail information
Case numbers and court assignment details

The comprehensiveness of publicly available arrest records may vary based on the status of related investigations and applicable exemptions under Ohio Public Records Law. Records related to arrests that resulted in convictions typically contain more complete information than those involving dismissed charges or ongoing cases.

Legal Uses of Northfield Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Northfield authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes in accordance with Ohio law. These documents serve important functions beyond mere public information. Authorized uses include:

Background Screening: Employers conducting pre-employment verification for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations may review arrest records in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Ohio employment laws.
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may evaluate arrest records when assessing rental applications, subject to limitations imposed by fair housing regulations.
Professional Licensing: Regulatory boards overseeing occupational licenses may consider arrest records when evaluating applicants' character and fitness requirements pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4776.
Personal Safety Research: Individuals may access arrest records to make informed decisions regarding personal associations and community safety.
Legal Proceedings: Attorneys may utilize arrest records in preparation for criminal defense, civil litigation, or family court matters where relevant.
Academic and Statistical Research: Researchers may analyze anonymized arrest data for studies on criminal justice trends, policy effectiveness, and community safety initiatives.

Users of arrest record information should be aware that Ohio law prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.55, it is unlawful to use sealed or expunged records for most purposes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Northfield

The Village of Northfield follows Ohio state law regarding the expungement and sealing of arrest records. This legal process allows eligible individuals to have their arrest records removed from public access under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, expungement may be available in the following situations:

Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
Certain convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods
First-time offenders meeting statutory eligibility requirements

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the court that handled the original case. For Northfield arrests, this typically involves either the Mayor's Court or Stow Municipal Court, depending on the severity of the original charges. The petition must comply with formatting and content requirements specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the Northfield Village Prosecutor's Office, which may file objections. The court considers factors including the petitioner's criminal history, rehabilitation evidence, and public interest concerns before rendering a decision. If granted, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining the records, including the Northfield Village Police Department, which must then seal the designated records from public view.

Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes but are removed from public databases and cannot be lawfully disclosed in most circumstances. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally answer "no" to questions about the expunged arrest on applications for employment, housing, or education.

Limitations on Access to Northfield Arrest Records

While the Ohio Public Records Act establishes a presumption of accessibility, certain categories of arrest records maintained by the Northfield Village Police Department are subject to access restrictions. These limitations are codified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and relevant sections of the Codified Ordinances of Northfield. Protected categories include:

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age)
Records pertaining to victims of sex crimes or domestic violence
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Records sealed or expunged by court order
Medical and mental health information obtained during arrest processing
Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers
Information that would endanger law enforcement personnel
Records where release would create a substantial risk of identity theft

The Northfield Village Police Department is required to review requested records and redact exempt information before release. When records are withheld in whole or part, the department must provide a written explanation citing the specific legal authority for denial. Requesters who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek legal remedies through mandamus action in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Northfield Village Police Department, retain access to all arrest records for legitimate investigative purposes regardless of public access restrictions. Additionally, certain authorized entities such as criminal justice agencies and regulatory boards may access otherwise restricted records through established protocols.