Champaign County Arrest Records

In Champaign County, an arrest is the first step in a criminal justice process. According to the Ohio Revised Code, the magistrate may issue a warrant to the peace officer to make an arrest (O.R.C. 2935.07). Without a warrant, the police officer should have probable cause to believe a person has committed or is about to commit a crime. Once an arrest happens, the police will take the arrestee to the Tri-County Regional Jail for booking. The process involves background checks and collecting personal and arrest information that makes up Champaign County arrest records.

The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is a major custodian of arrest records in the county. Other law enforcement agencies may provide access to information if the arrest proceeds to trial, which is available in Champaign County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Champaign County?

Yes. The Ohio Sunshine Laws makes arrest records public records across Ohio. This means that members of the public can access and inspect Champaign County Arrest Records upon request to the right custodians in the county or state.

However, the law allows access to these records if it does not pose a risk to the record subject or unreasonably interfere with the record custodian’s duties. Some arrest information is not open to the public and may be sealed to keep the parties involved safe. These non-public arrest records include the following (O.R.C. 149.43):

• Confidential law enforcement investigatory records.
• Records containing information that is confidential under section 2710.03 or 4112.05 of the Revised Code.
• Inmate records released under division (E) of section 5120.21 of the Revised Code.
• Records the release of which is prohibited by state or federal law.
• Juvenile information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A typical Champaign County arrest record contains information such as:

• The arrestee's personal details (first and last name, age, date of birth, home address, fingerprint, mugshot, etc.)
• Physical description (skin color, eye color, height, hair color, etc.)
• Arrest information (date and time of arrest, location, name of arresting officer)
• Charge and offense details (type, level, description, bond amount)
• Warrant information.

Champaign County Arrest Statistics

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided statistics on arrests in Ohio. In 2019, the arrest report shows 20,149 arrests for offenses from people under 18 and 205,987 arrests for offenses from people of all ages.

The most prevalent arrests for people under 18 were for offenses like property crime (3,287), other assaults (4,684), larceny-theft (2,549), and all other offenses except traffic (5,410). The total arrests for all ages from the most prevalent offenses were property crime (29,869), other assaults (34,495), larceny-theft (25,142), and all other offenses except traffic (53,227).

Find Champaign County Arrest Records

Members of the public can find arrest records on inmates currently in custody in Champaign County through the Tri-County Regional Jail. The jail has a public inmate roster that lists every inmate housed in the jail in alphabetical order. Individuals may search for inmate information such as inmate’s booking number, name, DOB, arrest date, and booking date using their last name.

The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office Division of Records keeps and disseminates public records such as arrest, incident, and traffic accident reports. Requests can be made in person or online on the Sheriff’s Office website. Visit the Records Division for further information:

Champaign County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
308 Miami Street
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-6091

Note that the report number, name of the involved parties, or location is necessary when making an online records request.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) also provides an Offender Search tool that provides access to information on incarcerated individuals. It also displays information on offenders who are currently under DRC supervision, judicially released, or who died of natural causes while incarcerated.

To use the DRC offender search tool, requestors may filter the database using the offender’s name. The individual will find inmate information such as full names, mugshot, criminal history, sentence information, and other details of the holding correctional facility. For further information, contact:

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
4545 Fisher Road, Suite D
Columbus, OH 43228
Phone: (614) 752-1161

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also maintains records of federal inmates incarcerated in various facilities currently or released after 1982. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants the public authority to request copies of federal inmate records. Individuals may use the inmate’s name or registration number to complete a search. To perform a name-based federal inmate search, provide the inmate’s full name, race, sex, and age.

Free Arrest Record Search in Champaign County

Interested persons may perform a free search for Champaign County arrest records through the Champaign County Common Pleas Clerk of Courts. The Court provides an online search tool for individuals to access public criminal records that include both arrests and convictions. One may complete a search by name, case number, case type, action code, advanced attorney, or advanced case.

Alternatively, some third-party sites provide access to Champaign County arrest records for free. Using these sites is convenient and accessible from any location across the state, including Champaign County. However, the accuracy and availability of arrest information on third-party sites may vary as they are obtained from different sources. In most cases, the requester may only have to provide names, locations, and other personal details of the record’s subject to complete a search.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Champaign County, an arrest may stay on a person’s record indefinitely. Generally, arrest for a misdemeanor or felony may remain part of one’s record unless expunged or sealed by court order.

Expunge Champaign County Arrest Records

In Champaign County, expungement or sealing a record is a legal process of removing certain criminal convictions or charges from public view. Per Ohio law, when a record is sealed, it is just as if the defendant were never convicted of the crime. Note that only eligible offenders can request expungement of arrest records in Ohio.

To be eligible to expunge an arrest record, the person should meet the following requirements:

• There are no pending criminal cases or warrants against the individual
• The conviction to be expunged does not involve a mandatory prison term
• The applicable waiting period has passed for the conviction in question
• There are no open traffic violations.

Note that certain crimes are not eligible for expungement in Ohio (O.R.C. 2953.32), including:

• All traffic offenses
• Felony offenses of violence that are not a sexually oriented offense
• Sexually oriented offenses when the defendant was subject to Chapter 2950 as a result of the conviction
• Any offense with a victim under 13, except for non-support
• Convictions of a felony of the first or second-degree
• Domestic violence or violating a protection order
• Convictions of a felony of the third degree if the offender has more than one other conviction of any felony or, if the person has exactly two convictions of a felony of the third degree.

The first step for expungement is to obtain a certified copy of the Judgement Order of Conviction from the Clerk of Court’s office. Next, complete the Application for Sealing of a Criminal Record and the Judgment Entry for Sealing included in the packet from the office. The applicant will have to pay a fee of $50 to the court, but if the applicant cannot pay the fee, a Poverty Affidavit form will be made available.

The applicant should make copies of each document before submitting the original and duplicates alongside the Poverty Affidavit or the $50 fee to the Clerk of Courts. The Clerk will take and stamp all copies before giving a copy back to the applicant.

Champaign County Arrest Warrants

A Champaign County arrest warrant is a court order a police officer should have to make an arrest in the county. The judge, clerk, or magistrate may permit a warrant (O.R.C. 2935.08) after a complaint or official statement. However, an arrest warrant is only issued upon evidence and facts gathered during an investigation. A typical arrest warrant may contain the defendant's full name, the alleged offense, the issuance date, the issuing court’s details, and the judge's name and signature.

Do Champaign County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Champaign County arrest warrants do not expire. In most cases, an arrest warrant stays active until the arrest takes place or the court cancels it.