Arrest records are public documents in Marietta, Ohio, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The legislative intent behind this provision is to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Marietta Police Department maintain arrest records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. These records become public at the time of booking, subject only to specific statutory exemptions. Exemptions may apply to records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure would compromise public safety.
Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are public, certain personal identifying information may be redacted prior to release in compliance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.45, which protects against identity theft and fraud.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Marietta, Ohio. The following methods are available for record retrieval:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Marietta Police Department located at 301 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (740) 376-2007.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of county-wide arrests, including those occurring within Marietta city limits. Records may be requested at 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone: (740) 376-7070.
The Marietta Municipal Court provides access to case information for arrests that have resulted in charges filed within its jurisdiction. The court is located at 259 Butler Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (740) 373-4474.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the official websites of the respective agencies. Processing times for electronic requests typically range from 3 to 5 business days, in accordance with Ohio Public Records Act requirements.
Third-party commercial services offer arrest record searches for a fee. The Washington County Clerk's Office does not endorse any specific commercial service and advises that information obtained through such channels should be verified through official sources.
Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, requestors seeking copies of arrest records may be required to pay reasonable duplication fees not exceeding the actual cost of reproduction.
Arrest records maintained by Marietta law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10. A typical arrest record includes the following components:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and last known address
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of booking, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers and offense descriptions
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken from frontal and profile perspectives
Fingerprint impressions collected in accordance with Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation standards
Arresting officer's name, badge number, and affiliated agency
Incident report number and any related case file references
Custody status information, including bond amount if applicable
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if any exists
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Marietta Police Department maintain these records in compliance with Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-03, which establishes minimum retention periods for law enforcement records. Standard arrest records are retained for a minimum of five years from the date of arrest, while records pertaining to felony arrests are maintained for a minimum of twenty-five years.
The State of Ohio provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained in Marietta and throughout Washington County. This process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Marietta include:
First-time offenders may apply for expungement one year after the final discharge of misdemeanor convictions or three years after the final discharge of felony convictions, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(A)(1).
Individuals with multiple convictions face more restrictive eligibility requirements as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31(A).
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies, sex offenses, offenses against minors, and offenses where the victim was under 13 years of age.
Arrests that did not result in conviction may be sealed immediately upon case dismissal or acquittal under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52.
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
File an application with the Marietta Municipal Court for misdemeanor offenses or with the Washington County Court of Common Pleas for felony offenses.
Pay the applicable filing fee, which is $50 for misdemeanors and $100 for felonies as of fiscal year 2025.
Attend a scheduled hearing where the court will consider factors including the petitioner's criminal history, evidence of rehabilitation, and the prosecutor's position.
Upon granting of an expungement order, all public records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings are sealed from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to sealed records for limited official purposes as permitted under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D).
The Marietta Municipal Court provides expungement application assistance through its probation department, located at 259 Butler Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Telephone: (740) 373-4474. Consultation hours are available by appointment Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.