Bowling Green Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bowling Green, Ohio?
Arrest records in Bowling Green, Ohio are considered public information pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This statute establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to any person upon request. The City of Bowling Green maintains these records in accordance with state transparency requirements, ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.
The Wood County Sheriff's Office and Bowling Green Police Division are required by law to maintain these records and make them available through established protocols. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including promoting governmental accountability, facilitating informed community awareness, and supporting research and statistical analysis of law enforcement practices.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which exempts specific categories of information from disclosure, including confidential law enforcement investigatory records that might compromise ongoing investigations.
How to Look Up Bowling Green Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Bowling Green. The following methods are available pursuant to established municipal procedures:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Records Division of the Bowling Green Police Division located at 175 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. A valid government-issued photo identification must be presented when requesting records in person.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for arrest records via postal mail. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Written requests should be addressed to:
Bowling Green Police Division - Records Department
175 W. Wooster Street
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Phone: (419) 352-1131
City of Bowling Green Police Division
Online Access: The Bowling Green Police Division maintains an online portal through which certain arrest record information may be accessed. The Authority Web Connect system provides limited information on recent arrests and case dispositions.
Wood County Sheriff's Records: For arrests made by county authorities within Bowling Green city limits, requests may be directed to:
Wood County Sheriff's Office
1960 East Gypsy Lane Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Phone: (419) 354-9001
Wood County Sheriff's Office
Requesters should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record reproduction as established by municipal ordinance. Current fees are $0.05 per page for standard documents and $2.00 per certified copy. Additional fees may apply for specialized searches requiring extensive staff time.
Contents of a Bowling Green Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Bowling Green law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10. Standard arrest records include the following categories of information:
Biographical Data: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases or alternative spellings, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; statutory charges filed at the time of booking; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Case Information: Assigned case number, incident report reference numbers, and preliminary court appearance information if applicable.
Booking Documentation: Fingerprint records collected pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 109.60, booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), and property inventory lists.
Detention Information: Record of temporary detention location, bail or bond amounts established, and release conditions if applicable.
Procedural Notes: Documentation of Miranda rights advisement and other procedural requirements fulfilled during the arrest process.
Requesters should be aware that certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information collected during the booking process.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Bowling Green
Under Ohio law, specifically Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953, eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained by Bowling Green authorities. The expungement process effectively removes arrest information from public access, though records remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Bowling Green include:
For cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal: Individuals may apply for expungement immediately following the conclusion of proceedings pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52.
For minor misdemeanor convictions: Applications may be submitted one year after the final discharge of the case, including completion of any probationary period.
For most misdemeanors: Applications may be submitted one year after final discharge.
For certain felony convictions: Applications may be submitted three years after final discharge, subject to statutory limitations.
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Wood County Court of Common Pleas located at:
Wood County Court of Common Pleas
One Courthouse Square
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Phone: (419) 354-9280
Wood County Court of Common Pleas
Petitioners must pay a filing fee of $50.00 for misdemeanor expungements and $100.00 for felony expungements. Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of appropriate financial documentation.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date and notify the Wood County Prosecutor's Office, which may file objections to the requested expungement. The court will consider factors including the petitioner's rehabilitation, the nature of the offense, and the public interest in maintaining the record before rendering a decision.
If granted, the expungement order will be transmitted to all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the Bowling Green Police Division, Wood County Sheriff's Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, directing these agencies to seal the relevant records from public view.
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