Arrest records in Warren, Ohio are public documents accessible to all citizens. This accessibility is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act, which establishes that government records are public unless specifically exempted by law. Law enforcement agencies in Warren maintain these records as part of their official duties, and the public has a legal right to access them. The transparency of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including community awareness, accountability of law enforcement agencies, and the fundamental right of citizens to be informed about governmental activities.
Pursuant to Ohio law, public agencies must provide reasonable access to these records during regular business hours. While certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy in specific circumstances, the general rule favors disclosure. The Warren Police Department and Trumbull County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Warren have several official channels through which they may obtain this information. Each method offers varying levels of detail and convenience:
Warren Police Department 220 South Pine Avenue SE Warren, OH 44481 (330) 841-2512 Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Citizens may request arrest records in person by completing a public records request form. The department typically processes these requests within 3-5 business days, though complex requests may require additional time. A nominal fee for copying services may apply in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1).
Trumbull County Sheriff's Office 150 High Street NW Warren, OH 44481 (330) 675-2508 Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and booking information. Requestors must provide the name and, if possible, the date of birth of the individual whose records are being sought. Photo identification is required when submitting requests in person.
Trumbull County Clerk of Courts 161 High Street NW Warren, OH 44481 (330) 675-2557 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges. Their online portal allows for remote searching of case information, though certain documents may only be available for in-person inspection.
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) 1560 State Route 56 SW London, OH 43140 (740) 845-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
For comprehensive criminal history information, citizens may request a background check through BCI. This requires fingerprint submission and payment of statutory fees as outlined in Ohio Administrative Code 109:5-1-01.
Warren arrest records contain standardized information pursuant to Ohio law enforcement protocols and record-keeping requirements. These documents typically include:
Subject identification information:
Arrest details:
Processing information:
Case disposition:
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), certain information may be redacted from public copies, including medical information, confidential informant identities, and information that would endanger officer safety.
The expungement process in Warren follows Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, which provides legal mechanisms for sealing criminal records under specific circumstances. Eligible individuals may petition the court to have their arrest records removed from public access, effectively restoring their privacy and mitigating collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Warren include:
For non-conviction records (arrests not resulting in conviction):
For misdemeanor convictions:
For felony convictions:
The expungement petition must be filed with the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas for felonies or Warren Municipal Court for misdemeanors. The filing fee is $50 at the Court of Common Pleas and $75 at Municipal Court, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants.
Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing and notifies the Warren City Prosecutor's Office, which may object to the expungement. The court considers factors including the petitioner's rehabilitation, the government's need to maintain the records, and the public interest in sealing the records.
If granted, the expungement order directs all governmental agencies, including the Warren Police Department, Trumbull County Sheriff's Office, and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, to seal their records. Private background check companies are not directly bound by expungement orders but are required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) to maintain accurate information.
Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings or certain employment contexts as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).