Ohio Arrest Records

An Ohio arrest record describes a document that Ohio law enforcement officers generate after apprehending or detaining a suspected offender within their jurisdictions. These records are created for varying reasons, including easy tracking of offenders, accountability within the state's criminal justice system, facilitation of legal proceedings, background checks, and administrative efficiency within criminal justice agencies.

In Ohio, the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is the primary custodian of criminal records, including records of arrests. Also, local law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records that they generate. Criminal courts may also store records (including reports of arrests) related to a criminal proceeding.

Upon accessing an Ohio arrest record, individuals can expect to find information about the arrestee, such as their:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Physical description (weight, height, hair color, etc.)
• Identifying marks (scars, tattoos, etc)

Ohio arrest records also contain the following details:

• The arrest date, time, and location
• The arresting agency and officer
• Charges

Are Arrest Records Public in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio's Public Records Law sanctions public access to Ohio arrest records. However, some exceptions apply to the availability of arrest information in Ohio and, in some instances, the persons who may access the data.

For example, juvenile arrest records and records of ongoing investigations are confidential in Ohio. Typically, the records are restricted to the subject of the record and authorized bodies.

How Do I Look Up Arrest Records in Ohio?

Individuals can look up an arrest record in Ohio by querying the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) within the Attorney General's office. According to the BCI, their computerized records are not public, and authorized release is limited. Parties allowed to access arrest information through the BCI include subjects of the arrest records and employers who want to conduct a criminal background check on new hires.

Individuals who want to check their arrest records must submit the following to the BCI:

• Their name, current address, and other identifying characteristics
• A complete set of their fingerprints
• Signed consent permitting the BCI to search for their record
• A business check of $22 made payable to the "Treasurer of the State of Ohio." Money orders and electronic payments are also allowed.

Individuals can submit their electronic fingerprints to the following addresses:

BCI London

1560 State Route 56 Southwest

London, Ohio 43140

BCI Bowling Green

750 North College Drive

Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

*BCI Richfield *

4055 Highlander Parkway

Richfield, Ohio 44286

BCI Youngstown

20 West Federal Street

Youngstown, Ohio 44503

Another option is to submit fingerprints to the BCI through an authorized WebCheck provider in one's locality.

On the other hand, members of the public can obtain arrest records from the sheriff of the county where the arrest took place. These record searches may be done in person, by fax, online, by mail, or over the phone. To facilitate the search, a requester must typically provide certain information, such as a name, date of birth, social security number, or booking number.

Confirming with the sheriff's office how the records can be retrieved is essential. For example, while a local background search at the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department to find arrest records on file is by appointment only, the Union County Sheriff's Office and Warren County Sheriff's Office do not require appointments.

Finally, parties may obtain arrest records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). To do this, they must submit a request to the Bureau online, via mail, or through another FBI-approved channel. It costs $18 for the service.

Free Arrest Record Search in Ohio

Individuals may search arrest records for free in Ohio through arresting law enforcement agencies. Some agencies maintain online databases that parties may access to find arrest information without making any financial commitment. A local arresting agency (like the Worthington Police Department) may also provide copies of a record (up to 25 pages of records) for free.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Ohio

Arrest records created in Ohio State do not disappear automatically. Instead, they remain on a person's record until expunged or sealed. Although there is no specific period for retaining arrest records in Ohio, the Ohio Revised Code establishes a records commission in each county. One of the commission's duties is to provide rules for the retention and disposal of the records within their jurisdiction.

Generally, sheriff's offices draw up record retention schedules for approval and review by the commission, Ohio History Connection, and state auditor. The schedules are made available to the public in compliance with the Ohio Revised Code.

For example, the Geauga, Clermont, Delaware, and Green County Sheriff's Offices make their records retention schedules available to the public online. Individuals can search these schedules to determine the retention period for arrest records in the respective county. If a schedule does not provide the retention period for arrest records, they are kept until the schedule is amended to address them.

Overall, several factors determine the retention periods of arrest records in Ohio. Nonetheless, records are kept until they are no longer of legal, historical, fiscal, or administrative value.

How to Seal Arrest Record in Ohio

In Ohio, only eligible offenders, defined in Section 2953.31 of the Ohio Revised Code, can apply to seal or expunge their arrest records. When a record is sealed, it is no longer publicly available. However, when an arrest record is expunged, the record is destroyed; it will be as though the arrest never occurred.

To seal the record of an arrest that did not result in a criminal charge or conviction, individuals can petition the police chief of the community where they were arrested. However, if charges were filed, the parties must file a motion in a court of competent jurisdiction. If the prosecution does not object to the sealing, the judge will apply their discretion in determining whether the record should be sealed.

Individuals with felony convictions are eligible to file for expungement of their arrest and criminal records with the sentencing court 10 years after their eligibility for record sealing. Note: Some felony convictions are not eligible for record sealing or expungement in Ohio. These include traffic offenses listed in Chapters 4506, 4507, 4510, 4511, or 4549 of the state statutes, more than two third-degree felonies, domestic violence or violating a protection order, some cases involving a victim below 13 years old, and first-degree felonies. 1.