Ohio Warrant Search

Ohio warrants are court authorizations allowing the police to search locations and people, arrest individuals suspected of crimes, or conduct surveillance. Such warrants may be uncovered by conducting a warrant search through state or local bodies and, sometimes, third-party vendors.

Warrant searches help people determine if they are wanted by the law or if their loved ones are in danger of being detained over minor issues, such as a failure to appear in court, pay fines, or satisfy court-imposed obligations.

Individuals can find different types of warrants through the office of clerks of courts and local law enforcement agencies in Ohio.

What is a Warrant?

A warrant in Ohio is a legal directive by a judge, mayor, clerk, or magistrate ordering law enforcement (peace officers) to arrest an individual or search and seize property. A warrant is approved when the issuer finds probable cause that the named subject is connected to a crime, harbors criminal evidence, or for any other justified reason stated in a complaint or affidavit.

Common warrants in the Buckeye state include search, bench, arrest, and peace warrants.

Are Warrants Public Record in Ohio?

Yes, Ohio warrants are considered public records. The Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43) designates every document and material collected, generated, and maintained by local and state agencies as public records, with a few exceptions.

Sup. R. 45 also establishes that court records, including warrants, are open to the public unless sealed by court order or restricted by state law, federal law, or court rule.

Exceptions to the Public Records Act include materials and information tied to law enforcement investigations, proprietary documents and information, and certain medical records.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Ohio?

Members of the public can use third-party websites that offer warrant search services to look up warrants in Ohio. Private businesses not affiliated with any official government agency operate these websites.

Third-party warrant search services collate different types of warrants in bulk from various law enforcement and state agencies across Ohio. People who use their services can typically search for warrants across other jurisdictions.

Depending on the vendor, users can access various features and services. They may be able to search by name, alias, description, or case number. They can also select specific counties and courts to search from or use search widely if they do not know the location or agency maintaining a record.

Although using third-party services does not guarantee the completeness of records, it is more convenient since people can perform statewide searches instead of visiting specific local agencies.

The fees for third-party sites vary by vendor. Some businesses run monthly, quarterly, and annual subscription models, while others provide pay-per-search offerings.

What is a Search Warrant in Ohio?

A search warrant in Ohio is an order issued by a judge that permits peace officers to search premises or persons for items connected to a crime. It is issued after a judge reviews an affidavit from law enforcement detailing compelling reasons for the search per Ohio Rev. Code § 2933.21.

The search warrant must be presented at the premises or to the person when it is executed. Per Ohio Rev. Code § 2933.24, it must describe the property or person to be searched, establish the item being sought, and must be directed to a law enforcement officer or other authorized individual. The affidavit used to obtain the warrant must also be attached.

• Are Search Warrants Public Records in Ohio

  Search warrants are generally open to the public in Ohio, and people whose premises have been searched will receive a copy of the executed warrant, including the inventory of materials and property seized during the search (Ohio Rev. Code § 2933.241)

• How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in Ohio

  The duration for obtaining a search warrant in Ohio is not fixed. Judges can approve the warrant immediately after they are convinced reasonable cause exists to search a person or property.

• How Long Does a Search Warrant Last

  Ohio R. Crim. P. 41(C)(2) mandates law enforcement officers to execute a search warrant within three days of issuance.

What is a Bench Warrant in Ohio?

Bench warrants in Ohio are issued by judges for the arrest of individuals who failed to honor their court appointments (Ohio Rev. Code § 2937.43). Also, a bench warrant may be issued to arrest someone who failed to pay a court fine or violated their probationary terms.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Ohio?

Arrest warrants are issued by judges, magistrates, clerks, or other approved judicial officers in Ohio. The documents authorize law enforcement to take people into custody per Ohio Rev. Code § 2941.36.

Arrest warrants are typically issued after a judge or magistrate receives a complaint or affidavit from the police that establishes probable cause to believe a defendant committed or was involved in a crime.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Ohio

People who have had run-ins with Ohio's justice system can check with different government agencies to confirm whether a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

Since warrants are treated as public records, a person can follow each agency's public records request process to check for and order copies of warrants.

Clerk of Courts

Each county's clerk of court keeps records of warrants issued by courts within their jurisdiction. Members of the public can query the relevant court clerk to confirm an existing warrant.

A person can visit the clerk's website to download a request form and mail it to the indicated address. They can also contact the clerk's office via telephone to determine how to order copies of warrants. For example, people can call (330) 643-7772 to contact the Summit County Clerk of Court regarding active warrants.

Sometimes, an individual may need to contact the municipal court separately to discover warrants.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Local law enforcement agencies primarily execute warrants, and they maintain detailed records. Thus, members of the public can contact their local police departments or county sheriff's offices to confirm if they have outstanding warrants.

Most law enforcement agencies have several methods for requesting warrants. For example, the Cleveland Division of Police allows individuals to mail written requests to the Justice Center* at *1300 Ontario Street, 44113, Cleveland, Ohio, with the subject line: Attn: Public Records. The Division also provides a walk-in service on weekdays (work hours).

Can You Check Warrants Online in Ohio?

Yes, different agencies and courts offer online systems for public warrant searches.

County Clerks of Court Online Databases

County clerks of court across Ohio operate case information systems for searching court records, including issued warrants. These tools are typically easy to use, and individuals can start a search by entering the supposed name on the warrant.

Note: Most county court clerks maintain records for the Common Pleas Court General Division, County Municipal Courts, Domestic Relations Court, and District Court of Appeals. For example, people looking for warrants issued by the common pleas court or any other court in Montgomery County can check for warrants using the clerk of court's Public Records Online tool.

However, in some cases, specific court records may have different databases. For instance, individuals may use a tool provided by a municipal court clerk to find warrants issued by a municipal court. A good example is Franklin County's municipal court. People looking to find warrants issued by the court must use the online portal provided by the clerk.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Some county sheriff's offices and local police departments offer online warrant search tools on their websites to inform the public about active warrants and allow them to provide information to law enforcement regarding wanted persons. For example, the Mercer County Sheriff's Office operates an open online database containing active warrants.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

Individuals can view warrant information for free by:

• Using online tools provided by local law enforcement agencies and clerks of courts.
• Visiting a local law enforcement department.
• Visiting courthouses where warrants were issued.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in Ohio

Using online tools provided by local law enforcement agencies and county clerks of courts to check for warrants is generally free. However, people seeking to obtain copies of these records or certify them must pay the required costs for reproduction and certification.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Ohio?

In Ohio, bench and arrest warrants typically stay active until a judge quashes them or a defendant is arrested. Other types of warrants, such as search warrants, have expiry periods dictated by law. Ohio search warrants are only valid for three days.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

Federal judges or magistrates issue federal warrants because of violations of federal law or failures to appear in court. Individuals may attempt to check for federal warrants by submitting a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request to the US Marshals Service or the federal court where a warrant may have been issued. Sometimes, a court may notify a case party of a warrant.

However, it is worth mentioning that the courts usually seal unexecuted federal warrants. Thus, an inquiry may be unsuccessful, and a person may only find out such a warrant exists after being arrested.