Cleveland Arrest Records

In Cleveland, arrests generally occur when law enforcement executes a court-issued warrant, witnesses a misdemeanor, or has probable cause to believe a crime has occurred. The Cleveland Division of Police handles arrests and books suspects into custody at the Cleveland City Jail. This facility is used for short-term detention, while more serious cases may involve transfer to larger county-managed detention centers.

After booking, arresting officers complete an arrest record that includes the arrestee's details, the incident description, charges, arrest time and location These arrest records are entered into multiple official databases, including the city's jail roster, court case tracking systems, and the broader Cuyahoga County Arrest Records, which are a compilation of arrest-related information from several jurisdictions across the county.

Are Cleveland Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Cleveland arrest records are generally public under the Ohio Public Records Act (codified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This provides access to basic information, including the suspect's name, date of arrest, alleged offense, and booking status. However, exemptions apply to information pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, medical details, Social Security numbers, the identities of confidential informants, and other personal data (ORC § 149.43(A)(1)(a)et seq.).

Access to detailed or sensitive information may require the requester to show a "direct and tangible interest", for example, being the arrestee or a legal representative. In these cases, additional identification or documentation may be required.

Cleveland Crime Rate

Data from the Cleveland Open Data Portal and the FBI's UCR Program show an estimated 34,500 arrests in 2023. Around 13,500 were felony arrests, and 21,000 were for misdemeanors. Violent crimes totaled 5,870, down from 6,326 in 2021. Property crimes slightly declined to approximately 15,800 in 2023. Despite overall declines, Cleveland's 2023 homicide rate was around 38 per 100,000 residents, making it among the highest in Ohio.

In 2024, homicides decreased to 105, a significant drop from 192 in 2020 and 165 in 2023. Between May and August 2024, the total crime rate and violent crime rate fell by 13%. With initiatives like RISE and Summer Safety, officials expect continued declines in arrests and violent incidents.

Find Cleveland Arrest Records

Interested persons can find Cleveland arrest records by providing essential search parameters to appropriate arrest and criminal repositories, including:

Cleveland Police Department Records Division using the person's full name, booking date, or case number. Requests for older files or certified copies may require identification. Individuals may request records in person at the department's Public Records Unit:

1300 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 623-5352

Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts Case Lookup using the online portal's case search tool. Search results reveal the charges, court appearances, and outcomes.

Statewide Criminal History (BCI) Search for fingerprint-based state-level checks, available to eligible parties via the Ohio Attorney General's website. Access is limited to the subject of the record or authorized parties. A person can request a replica of their criminal record by providing their fingerprints, a valid ID, and payment. BCI records are not name-searchable to the general public, and only the subject or legally authorized parties may obtain them.

Federal Arrest & Case Records (PACER) can be used to find arrests made by federal agencies operating in Cleveland. Each search incurs a fee which may be exempt under certain circumstances. Search parameters include name, case number, and district.

Jail and Inmate Lookups: Arrests that lead to jail booking may appear in local or state offender systems:

• Cuyahoga County Jail: Recent bookings can be confirmed through court dockets or by contacting the jail at (216) 443-6000 or the sheriff's office at:

  1215 West 3rd Street
  Cleveland, OH 44113
  (216) 443-6000

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC): Inmate searches can be performed via the ODRC Inmate Search.

Criminal Background Check in Ohio

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) processes statewide criminal background checks. Fingerprint-based checks are required for employment, licensing, and housing screenings, while name-based checks are allowed for personal and informal use. The fee is $22 for BCI, $25 for FBI, or $47 for both (Ohio Revised Code § 109.572). The process requires a valid ID and submission of fingerprints.

To conduct a criminal background check, eligible individuals or agencies should find an approved location, present valid government-issued ID, submit fingerprints electronically, and pay the applicable processing fee. Under ORC § 109.572, background checks are obtainable by the individual or by others with their consent. Certain data, such as sealed records or juvenile offenses, may be withheld (ORC § 2953.32 and ORC § 149.43).

Cleveland Inmate Search

Individuals sentenced in Cleveland courts and transferred to state custody can be located using the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC)inmate locator tool. Searchable by name, date of birth, or DOC number, it shows detention location, mugshots, sentence length, and release details. The database only includes state prisoners, not those in county or city jails. For help locating a sentenced inmate with limited information, individuals can contact the ODRC Offender Info Line at (614) 387-0588

Cleveland Police Record Lookup

Police records are public under the Ohio Public Records Act, except those exempted by law (ORC § 149.43(A)(1)(h)). Cleveland residents may request reports, such as arrest affidavits, incident summaries, or CAD logs, from the Cleveland Division of Police.

Researchers may submit a Cleveland police record request online, in person, or via mail. Online requests can be submitted through the dedicated public records request portal. For in-person requests, researchers should visit the Records File Section at the city's police headquarters at:

Justice Center
1300 Ontario Street
Phone: (216) 623-5000

Mail-in requests should be written and sent to:

Cleveland Division of Police – Records File Section
1300 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113

The department must respond within a "reasonable time", typically 3–10 business days for simple requests, or longer for more complex requests. Requesters may be charged for copies or postage. Denials must include written legal justification and can be appealed.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Cleveland?

Indefinitely. Arrests in Cleveland generally remain on a person's criminal record forever, unless they are sealed or expunged. Even when charges are dropped or dismissed, the arrest can still appear in background checks. Commercial websites and mugshot aggregators may continue to display this information unless they are directly notified. These platforms are often not governed by Ohio's sealing orders unless they are compelled to comply through legal action, including takedown notices, legal action, or defamation claims.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Cleveland?

Expungement in Cleveland is possible through record sealing under ORC § 2953.32 (for convictions) or ORC § 2953.52 (for non-convictions). Expungement under ORC § 2953.38 is limited to victims of human trafficking. Sealing typically requires a $50 fee, but waivers may be granted to low-income individuals. To seal an arrest record for free, a person must meet one of the following conditions:

• The arrest did not lead to a conviction (i.e., the case was dismissed, resulted in a not-guilty verdict, or charges were never filed)
• The individual was convicted of an eligible misdemeanor or low-level felony and has completed the required waiting period, paid restitution, and complied with sentencing terms.
• The applicant is indigent, and a court grants a fee waiver.

After completing an Expungement Application form, the applicant should submit it along with supporting documents to the court that heard the case. The applicant should also serve a notice on the prosecutor who handled the case. If granted, the order is shared with the Cleveland Division of Police, the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, and the Ohio BCI. Sealed records are hidden from the public but may still be accessible to law enforcement or licensing boards.

Third-party commercial websites that scrape court records or mugshot data are not automatically updated when a record is sealed and may continue to display arrest history. Such cases require users to submit removal requests or pursue separate legal action.

Cleveland Warrant Search

Local courts issue warrants in Cleveland and authorize law enforcement to arrest or search a person or property. Arrest warrants stem from filed charges; bench warrants follow court no-shows or probation violations.

To find out if a warrant has been issued in Cleveland, a person may query online, in person, or via phone as follows:

• Online using the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts' Online Case Index tool.
• Phone inquiry by calling the Sheriff's Warrant Unit at (216) 698-4700 for more information. Sometimes, identification verification may be required.
• In-person inquiry by visiting the Cleveland Police Department or Municipal Court. However, appearing in person with an active warrant could result in the individual's arrest. Residents should check their status through the Cleveland Municipal Court or the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts and consult with legal counsel before appearing in person.

Do Cleveland Warrants Expire?

No. In Cleveland, felony and misdemeanor warrants do not typically expire and remain legally enforceable until they are served, quashed by the court, or recalled by a judge. Statutory limitations may apply to minor municipal violations if charges were never filed, typically expiring in 2 years per ORC § 2901.13(A)(1). Once a warrant is issued, the limitation period pauses.

Warrants may be voided if the defendant is deceased, charges are dismissed, or a judge recalls the order. Bench warrants remain in effect until resolved (Ohio Criminal Rule 9 or ORC § 2937.99).