Stow Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Stow, Ohio?
Arrest records are public documents in Stow, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by promoting accountability and informed civic participation.
The City of Stow maintains arrest records through its Police Department, which is legally obligated to provide these records to requesting parties, subject to certain statutory exemptions. These exemptions may include records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or information that could compromise public safety if disclosed. The determination regarding which portions of arrest records may be withheld is made in accordance with state law and municipal regulations.
How to Look Up Stow Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Stow have multiple methods available for obtaining this information. The Records Division of the Stow Police Department serves as the primary custodian of these documents. Individuals may access arrest records through the following officially sanctioned channels:
Online Access: The City of Stow maintains a digital records portal through which certain arrest records may be accessed. Users must navigate to the official city website and follow the established protocols for records requests. Some records may require registration or payment of nominal fees as permitted under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6).
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Stow Police Department Records Division. Staff members are available during regular business hours to process requests and provide guidance regarding available records.
Stow Police Department
3800 Darrow Road
Stow, OH 44224
Phone: 330-689-5700
Official Website
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. Such requests must include specific information regarding the record sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest, if known.
Telephone Inquiries: Preliminary information regarding the availability of specific arrest records may be obtained by contacting the Records Division at 330-689-5790. However, formal requests typically require written documentation.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices are required to promptly prepare records for inspection and make copies available within a reasonable period of time. The Stow Police Department typically processes routine records requests within 3-5 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.
Contents of a Stow Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Stow Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of law enforcement interactions with arrested individuals. These records are standardized in accordance with Ohio law enforcement protocols and generally include the following categories of information:
- Biographical Data: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and other identifying information of the arrested individual
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
- Offense Information: Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged violations of municipal ordinances or state laws
- Arresting Officer Information: Name, badge number, and departmental affiliation of the law enforcement personnel who executed the arrest
- Booking Documentation: Photographs (mugshots), fingerprint records, and personal property inventories collected during the booking process
- Custody Status: Information regarding bail determinations, bond amounts, and pretrial detention decisions
- Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including scheduled court appearances at the Stow Municipal Court
Stow Municipal Court
4400 Courthouse Drive
Stow, OH 44224
Phone: 330-564-4100
Official Website
It should be noted that while arrest records document the fact that an individual was taken into custody, these records do not constitute evidence of guilt. Under the American judicial system, all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Stow Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with departmental retention schedules approved by the Ohio Historical Society pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.39.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Stow
The State of Ohio provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by the Stow Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. This process is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals seeking expungement must file a formal application with the Stow Municipal Court or the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the nature and severity of the charges associated with the arrest. The court with jurisdiction over the original case typically maintains authority over expungement proceedings. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, the following conditions generally apply to expungement eligibility:
- For misdemeanor offenses, applicants must demonstrate that at least one year has elapsed since the final discharge of the case
- For felony offenses, applicants must demonstrate that at least three years have elapsed since the final discharge of the case
- Applicants must have no pending criminal charges
- Applicants must demonstrate rehabilitation to the satisfaction of the court
The expungement process requires the submission of standardized forms, payment of filing fees (which may be waived upon demonstration of financial hardship), and attendance at a judicial hearing. If the court grants the expungement petition, an order is issued directing all relevant agencies, including the Stow Police Department, to seal the specified records from public view.
It is important to note that expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, certain licensing boards, and other governmental entities as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D). However, these records are removed from public access and individuals whose records have been expunged may legally state that the arrest did not occur in most contexts.
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