Ohio Criminal Records

Ohio criminal records are formal documentations of an individual's history and interactions with law enforcement, including arrests, warrants, charges, conviction information, sentencing and parole information, and other similar documents.

According to recent crime data, Ohio has a violent crime rate of 2.94 per 1,000 residents and a total crime rate of 20.76 per 1,000 residents. Ohio criminal records are maintained by state and local agencies, including trial courts, local law enforcement agencies, and the state's Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC). Nonetheless, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) serves as the state's central repository for criminal records and provides access to these records for several purposes, such as employment background checks, housing applications, and legal proceedings.

Are Criminal Records Public in Ohio?

Per Ohio's public records law, criminal records are generally considered public information and may be accessed by interested parties. However, the accessibility of these records primarily depends on the record type and the custodian agency (the agency holding the records).

For example, access to criminal history records maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is restricted to specific parties, including the person named on the record and law enforcement. On the other hand, records of criminal cases maintained by Ohio's courts are open to anyone, except for sealed records, juvenile records, and records deemed confidential by statute or court rules. Likewise, law enforcement-related criminal records about ongoing/active investigations and probation/parole-related information are also exempt from public disclosure.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Ohio?

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) offers two main options for accessing criminal records in its database: through the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG) and fingerprint-based record checks. The OHLEG option is only available for employees of criminal justice agencies, such as law enforcement officers, emergency dispatchers, and prosecutors, and requires users to create an account with the BCI, while fingerprint-based checks may be performed by non-criminal justice agencies.

To perform a fingerprint-based record check with the BCI, you will need the following:

• The complete name, address, and identifying characteristics of the subject of the record.
• The person's complete set of fingerprints and signed consent.
• A $22 fee (this fee may be paid electronically or in the form of either a business check or money order made payable to the "Treasurer of State of Ohio").
• A valid ID.
• Any necessary additional documentation. For instance, minors will require a signed waiver from their parent or legal guardian to obtain copies of their criminal records.

You may perform the process (including electronically submitting your fingerprints) at any BCI-authorized WebCheck provider in your area or any of the following BCI locations:

Inquiries can be directed to the BCI at (740) 845-2000 or (877) 224-0043.

How To Search Ohio Arrest Records?

Ohio arrest records are created by local police departments, county sheriff's offices, and other law enforcement agencies (like the Ohio State Highway Patrol) when they carry out an arrest. Standard arrest records contain pertinent details of the arrest, including:

• The name, date of birth, and physical descriptors of the person arrested.
• The time and location of the arrest.
• The arresting officer's name and agency.
• A description of the incident/offense that led to the arrest.
• The charges and bail information (where applicable).

You can typically access Ohio arrest records by visiting the arresting agency, submitting a records request to its records division/department, and paying the stipulated fees (if any). Many law enforcement agencies in Ohio offer mail-in options and/or online portals for submitting records requests (in addition to in-person submissions) and may also provide free online access to their incident reports and arrest databases.

How To Search Ohio Warrants?

An Ohio warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to perform a specific action, such as searching a person's property or arresting a person. The most common types of warrants issued in the state are:

• Arrest Warrants: These are issued when there is probable cause that a person has committed a crime and authorize the arrest of the person.
• Bench Warrants: These are issued for failure to appear in court or comply with court orders.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search for evidence, such as drugs or stolen property, in a specific location.

Ohio arrest and bench warrants typically remain active indefinitely until they are resolved (either by arrest or surrender) or revoked by the court. However, search warrants are time-sensitive and must be executed within 72 hours of being issued (this timeline does not include weekends and legal holidays).

You can typically access warrant information by contacting the Clerk of the Court in the county where the warrant was issued. Some counties also offer online tools or databases (through local courts, sheriff's offices, or police departments) that may be used to search for active warrants. Keep in mind that certain warrant information might not be made publicly available if it could hinder an active investigation.

Can I Obtain an Ohio Criminal History Record of Another Person?

Ohio limits access to official criminal history records (maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation). These records may only be released for specific purposes, such as employment background checks and licensing, and to specific authorized parties, including law enforcement, certain government agencies, the person named on the record, and requesters with this person's signed consent. As such, you will not typically be able to obtain another person's criminal history records in Ohio.

Nonetheless, you may access other public criminal records (such as arrest records and criminal court records) through other criminal justice agencies, including relevant courts, sheriff's offices, and police departments. Note that these agencies will typically only provide access to records about their respective jurisdictions.

How To Expunge or Seal Ohio Criminal Records

Sealing and expungement are legal processes that restrict access to an individual's criminal records in Ohio. Sealing hides the record from public view - sealed records will not turn up on most background checks but may still be accessible to certain entities, such as law enforcement and licensing boards. On the other hand, expungement completely erases the record, making it as if the offense never occurred.

To seal or expunge your criminal record, you will need to take the following general steps:

• Determine if the offense qualifies for the process. While sealing and/or expungement may be done for most dismissed, non-conviction, and conviction records, Section 2953.32 of the Ohio Revised Code outlines offenses that are exempt from these processes. These include:
• 1st and 2nd degree felonies
• 3rd felonies where the person has two or more felonies of any degree or two 3rd-degree felonies, two misdemeanors, and any other convictions
• Traffic convictions
• Sexually oriented offenses that require registration as a sex offender
• Violent felonies
• Offenses where the victim is a minor less than 13 years old
• Domestic violence convictions (however, 4th-degree misdemeanors may be sealed).
• Fulfill the required waiting period after completing the imposed sentence. This can range from six months for sealing misdemeanors to 13 years for expunging 3rd-degree felonies. Note that you must also have no pending charges when looking to seal or expunge your criminal records.
• Apply with the court that handled the case. Necessary forms may be obtained through the relevant Clerk of Courts; you may also contact these officials for information on how to file your application.
• Attend a court hearing. During the hearing, a judge will review the application and decide on whether to grant or deny the request based on factors like the nature of the offense(s) and your observed rehabilitation.

What Are the Limitations to Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Ohio?

Several laws and guidance aim to promote fair opportunities for individuals with criminal records in Ohio by limiting how these records may be used concerning employment, licensing, and housing. These include:

• The Fair Chance Act prohibits federal agencies and contractors from inquiring about a job applicant's criminal history before extending a conditional job offer.
• The Ohio Fair Hiring Act bars state, county, and city employers from including questions about criminal records in initial applications.

Ohio also offers a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE) that provides relief from certain legal restrictions that might otherwise prevent individuals with criminal records from being hired or obtaining a license in specific fields. Similarly, licensing boards, employers, and housing providers cannot broadly or solely deny applicants based on their criminal histories without first considering certain relevant factors, such as:

• The nature and gravity of the offense.
• The time elapsed since the offenses.
• The relevance of the offense to the role or license being sought or to public safety.

Can I Access Ohio Criminal Records for Free Online?

Several private online sites claim to provide access to Ohio criminal records, often for a small fee. However, the accuracy of the information offered by these sites may not always be reliable. To obtain reliable criminal records in Ohio, it is best to directly contact the criminal justice agency holding the required records. Alternatively, you may consider utilizing premier platforms like OhioPublicRecords.us and other similar, reputable third-party websites that aggregate data from verified public and private databases and provide online access to accurate and up-to-date criminal records.