Franklin County Arrest Records

Franklin County arrest records are public documents containing information about an individual's arrest, including personal details, charges, and the date and location of the arrest. Arrest records benefit the public by encouraging a transparent and public awareness of the legal system through the Ohio Public Records Act. RC §149.43(B)(2). On the other hand, Section 1707.12 regulates the release of confidential or sensitive criminal offender record information.

Arrest records are critical for public safety and administrative processes. They help law enforcement identify individuals with potential threats, especially during routine interactions like traffic stops. They enable proper background checks and due diligence checks for security-relevant judgments, and help victims and defense attorneys monitor the status of their case.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Ohio?

Yes. Public Access to arrest records in Ohio is governed by the Ohio Public Records Act. Under this law, all public records held by state or local governments or their functional counterparts must be kept current and arranged so that they can be viewed or copied. Some records, however, are exempt from the Public Records Act or are marked as confidential or non-public under another federal or state statute. These include:

• Confidential documents of law enforcement investigations
• Documents sealed or expunged by court order
• Information on victims that may be legally protected
• Records of inmates released to the Department of Youth Services by the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
• Social Security and driver's license numbers are examples of personal identifying information.
• Information about juveniles
• documents that hold confidential information.

Franklin County Arrest Search

Individuals who wish to obtain Franklin County arrest records may use resources provided by the arresting agency or the state-level custodian.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction maintains an Offender Search online tool that is open to the general public. Interested persons may find data on incarcerated individuals who are serving time in an Ohio prison, are under department supervision, or have been judicially released. One can search for an arrest record by name, county, hearing date, and other parameters. To search, input the required information and click on "Search". Record seekers may also make inquiries by filling out and submitting the contact form provided by the agency. Alternatively, requests may be made via mail or in person at:

The Ohio State Highway Patrol maintains criminal investigation reports, which may include arrest records taken by troopers. One may contact the Central Records Unit to request records by filling out and submitting a public record request online. Requesters may need to provide the individual's full name and potentially other identifying information, such as a date of birth or case number, to help locate the specific record.

The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) regularly performs criminal background checks. The BCI compares the received fingerprints with a database of criminal fingerprints. Interested parties can visit or contact one of the Web Check Locations displayed on the listing for a background check. Requesters must present a legitimate, official photo ID to have their fingerprints electronically scanned at the facility.

Alternatively, the Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains the Federal Inmate Locator, which provides information about individuals who have been incarcerated by the FBI. The search can be completed by entering the subject's name or BOP register number.

Franklin County Inmate Locator

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office manages the online Inmate Information Search, which is open to the general public. Information available through this search includes current inmates, charges, case numbers, visitation location, and court dates. To search, input the first and last name of the offender and any other required information to narrow the search.

Interested persons may also contact the Public Records Office for criminal records. These records are available for inspection during regular business hours. Those seeking public records will be charged only the actual cost of making copies. Requests may be made in person. One may also contact FCSOPUBLICRECORDS@FRANKLINCOUNTYOHIO.GOV or call (614) 525-6096.

Active Warrant Search in Franklin County

An arrest warrant is a court order signed by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest a specific person believed to have committed a crime. The contents of an arrest warrant in Franklin County include the name of the judge or magistrate who issued it and the name and description of the person to be arrested. It also contains the specific crime the suspect is accused of, the county where the crime occurred, and the officer to whom the warrant is directed, along with commands to arrest the person and bring them before the court to answer the charges.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains information on active warrants issued in the county. To search for a warrant, one may contact the Sheriff's Office via phone or in person at:

Members of the public may also search for active warrants through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts Case Information Online (CIO) county's Municipal Court Search Records online portal.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Franklin

Members of the public who wish to find arrest records for free in Franklin County may utilize the online Inmate Information Search, which is run by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. To search, input the first and last name of the offender. Alternatively, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provides the general public with an Offender Search online tool for free use. One can look up arrest records by name, county, hearing date, and other criteria. Enter the necessary data and select "Search" to begin a search. Furthermore, interested persons may visit any of the local police departments operating within the county to inspect their booking list.

However, it is important to note that free tools might not include supporting documentation or older arrests. Free search tools usually offer only basic information on the arrest; they don't provide all the details. Even in cases when viewing is free, record seekers might still need to give a legitimate ID.

Franklin County Arrest Report

A Franklin County arrest report is a document or narrative prepared by a police officer at the time of an arrest, describing the circumstances of the arrest. It includes the officer's observations, details about the alleged crime, the reason for the arrest, information about the arrested person, and any evidence collected. The arrest report is a primary document used to create the arrest record, which is then added to an individual's comprehensive criminal history, detailing the arrest's date, location, charges, and subsequent court disposition (or lack thereof). An arrest record is a broader, official compilation of arrests and convictions associated with an individual's name. It's often part of a larger criminal record or rap sheet.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Franklin County

Under ORC § 2953.32, a Franklin County arrest record may be eligible for sealing or expungement depending on the type of offense. According to Section 2953.33, the following individuals may apply to the court for an order to seal or expunge their official records in the case at any time:

• Individuals who are found not guilty of an offense by a jury or a court
• One who is the defendant named in a dismissed complaint, indictment, or information,

However, any of the following periods may be used to file an application for expungement in relation to the offense:

• If the offense is a misdemeanor, one year after the offender's final discharge
• Six months from the offender's last discharge if the offense is a minor misdemeanor
• If the offense is a felony, the individual may apply to seal that felony conviction ten years after the allowed time frame.

Furthermore, any individual arrested for a misdemeanor offense and forfeiting their bail may request that the court where the misdemeanor criminal case was pending at the time of the forfeiture seal or expunge the case record related to the charge. An application may be filed:

• At any time following the expiration of one year from the date on which the bail forfeiture was entered upon the minutes of the court or the journal
• For a minor misdemeanor, at any point after 6 months have passed after the date the bail forfeiture was recorded in the court's minutes or journal, whichever comes first.

The court may schedule a hearing and notify the victim and the prosecutor of the offense when an expungement application is submitted in the court where the case was heard. Applicants are required to pay a fee of $50 and may pay a local court fee of not more than fifty dollars. There is no filing fee for cases that were dismissed, in which the defendant was found not guilty, or in which a no-bill charge was given. Before the hearing, the prosecution or the victim may raise objections to the offender's motion.

The court will decide whether to grant or deny the motion to erase a record based on the arguments and facts offered during the hearing. The relevant agencies in charge of the records may then be required to seal the documents through an Order of Expungement and Sealing of Records created and sent to them.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Individuals who wish to remove arrest records from the internet must first ensure that the underlying record is sealed or expunged by the court; it provides grounds to request removal of the online content. One may first try to get the information removed from the original source by contacting the website owner, especially if the record is inaccurate or the arrest led to a dismissal or was expunged.

A request to remove specific outdated content from search engines like Google may also be made. One can send a demand letter to the website proving the underlying record's status if dealing with mugshots. Consider hiring a reputation management service or consulting with a lawyer for complex situations or ongoing issues.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per RC §149.43(B)(2), public arrest records in Franklin County may contain the following information

• Name of offender
• Booking date
• Date of offense
• Arresting date and time
• Arrest the law enforcement agency
• Arresting officer
• The race, weight, height, age, eye color, and hair color of the offender
• Inmate classification
• Charges brought against the offender
• Mugshot of the offender
• Bond agency
• Address