Niles Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Niles, Ohio?
Arrest records in Niles, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for inspection by any person during regular business hours. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations serves the public interest by promoting accountability and informed civic participation.
The Niles Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols. Members of the public seeking arrest information should note that while most arrest records are public, certain exceptions may apply to records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure would compromise public safety as outlined in ORC § 149.43(A)(1).
How to Look Up Niles Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Niles, Ohio. Pursuant to established procedures, interested parties may access these records through the following official channels:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Niles Police Department during regular business hours to submit a public records request. Staff will assist with locating and providing copies of available arrest records.
Online Access: The Niles Municipal Court maintains an electronic database of court cases, including those stemming from arrests within the jurisdiction. This system allows for remote access to public case information.
Written Requests: Formal written records requests may be submitted to the appropriate agency. Requests should include specific information such as the individual's full name, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
Third-Party Aggregators: Commercial services compile public records from multiple jurisdictions, though the accuracy and timeliness of such information cannot be guaranteed by municipal authorities.
When requesting records, individuals should be prepared to provide identification and may be required to pay reasonable fees for copying services as permitted under ORC § 149.43(B)(1).
Niles Police Department
213 West State Street
Niles, OH 44446
(330) 652-9944
Official Website
Contents of a Niles Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Niles Police Department and accessible through the Niles Municipal Court typically contain the following information as required by Ohio law:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and any documented aliases or previous identities.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred, along with the statutory authority under which the arrest was executed.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Ohio Revised Code or Niles Municipal Ordinances alleged at the time of arrest, including citation numbers and statutory references.
Arresting Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and the badge numbers of officers involved in the apprehension.
Booking Documentation: Photographs taken during processing (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and other biometric data collected during the booking procedure.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including bail or bond information, court dates, and eventual resolution if proceedings have concluded.
Custody Status: Information regarding whether the individual remains in custody or has been released, and any conditions attached to such release.
The Law Department of Niles processes these records in accordance with Ohio's public records statutes. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to exemptions outlined in ORC § 149.43(A)(1), including Social Security numbers, medical information, and confidential investigatory techniques.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Niles
The expungement process in Niles provides a legal mechanism for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances prescribed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36. Individuals seeking expungement must file a formal petition with the court of jurisdiction, typically the Niles Municipal Court for misdemeanor offenses or the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas for felony matters.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Niles include:
First Offenders: Individuals with no more than one conviction may qualify for expungement after statutorily defined waiting periods (generally one year for misdemeanors and three years for felonies).
Non-Conviction Records: Arrests that did not result in conviction may be sealed immediately upon dismissal or acquittal pursuant to ORC § 2953.52.
Ineligible Offenses: Certain categories of offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses where the victim was under 18 years of age.
The expungement process requires:
- Filing of a petition with the appropriate court
- Payment of filing fees (currently $50 for the Niles Municipal Court)
- Criminal background check
- Judicial review of the petition
- Hearing before a judge or magistrate
Upon granting of an expungement order, all public records of the arrest are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in ORC § 2953.32(D).
Niles Municipal Court
15 East State Street
Niles, OH 44446
(330) 544-2215
Official Website
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