Delaware County Arrest Records

Ohio law permits law enforcement to make an arrest with or without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe an individual has allegedly committed a criminal offense. Upon the arrest, the alleged offender is taken to the police station. The arresting officer will book the offender by collecting their fingerprints, mugshots, and personal information. During the booking process, the officer also collects the offender’s personal belongings, such as rings, wallets, and watches. All the information gathered during the booking process is compiled to create an arrest record. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office provides public access to these records. However, the arrest record will not include case details if the offender is prosecuted in court. Requesters would have to conduct a Delaware County court records search to obtain such information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Delaware County?

Yes. The Ohio Public Records Act empowers public disclosure of arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. Residents can inspect or copy arrest records available at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and city police departments. The Ohio Public Records Act restricts access to certain records. Per OH Rev Code §149.43, the following arrest records are not available for public perusal:

• Juvenile arrest records
• An arrestee’s medical records
• Trial preparation records associated with an arrest
• Confidential law enforcement investigatory records
• Arrest records pertaining to probation and parole proceedings
• Confidential portions of a body-worn or dashboard camera recording associated with an arrest.
• Arrest records whose disclosure will:
  • Reveal the identity of an information source or witness.
  • Reveal the identity of a suspect who has not been charged with the crime to which the arrest record pertains.
  • Endanger the life or physical safety of a police officer, a witness, a crime victim, or a confidential source.
• Arrest records of inmates released by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) to a court of record or the Department of Youth Services (DYS) according to division (E) of section 5120.21 of the Revised Code.
• Any videotape, film, photograph, or printed or digital image that depicts:
  • The victim of a sexually oriented offense (OH Rev Code § 2950.01) at the time the offense was committed.
  • A victim of a crime whose release would constitute an offensive and unwarranted violation of their expectation of bodily privacy and integrity.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Most arrest records in Delaware County are public. Individuals can retrieve them online or in person at the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff's Online portal publishes the following arrest information for public perusal:

• Mugshot
• The arrestee’s full name
• Booking date
• Age, gender, and race
• Date of birth
• Hair and eye color
• Arresting agency and arrest date
• Address and scheduled release
• Charges (cases and charges)

Delaware County Crime Rate

The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) has a State Incident-Based Reporting System (OIBRS) where members of the public can find criminal statistics. From January to June 2024, the OIBRS reported about 912 crimes, 71 of which were violent crimes and 841 of which were property crimes. In 2023, Delaware County law enforcement agencies reported approximately 2,091 crimes. About 179 of them were violent crimes, and 1,912 were property crimes. The top three (3) major crimes for that year were larceny-theft (1,614), motor vehicle theft (155), and burglary/B&E (143).

Delaware County Arrest Statistics

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) recorded 99 felony arrests in Medina County during 2023 and 55 in the first six months of 2024. In 2023, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office booked approximately 2,503 arrested individuals into the jail, marking a 1% rise compared to 2022. The average length of stay for those arrested was 17 days. Of the total arrests, around 72% were male, while 28% were female.

Find Delaware County Arrest Records

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC) houses felony adult offenders whose statutory minimum sentence is six months. Requesters can view or obtain copies of their arrest records online or in person. Online requests can be made using the Offender Search tool. A search can be conducted by name, county of commitment, residential county and/or zip, next parole board hearing date, or offender number. In-person requests can be made at the DRC’s local facilities during business hours.

Individuals can also request to view and copy Delaware County arrest records maintained by federal law enforcement agencies. Most agencies permit arrest record searches online, by mail, or in person. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) issues arrest records online and in person at BOP facilities. Online requesters would need a number or name to conduct a search. Record seekers can find arrest summary reports provided by the United States Capitol Police (USCP) online or by mail. Online requesters can filter their searches using a CFN number, crime date, crime summary, or crime type, while mail requesters must complete a Request Form and send it to:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510

Inquirers can find arrest records online at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. Online requests must be made through the Online Detainee Locator System using an A-Number or biographical information. Alternatively, interested persons can visit any ICE’s local field office and detention facility during business hours to find arrest records of Delaware County offenders.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also issues arrest records to the subject of records criminal records online, by mail, or through approved channelers. A fee of $18 applies to this service, payable by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check. Mail requests include submitting a completed Applicant Information Form to:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Free Arrest Record Search in Delaware County

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has a Current Inmate Listing where individuals can view arrest records without charges. Users can enter a last name in the search field or scroll through the list to find a desired record. Alternatively, record seekers can use third-party portals to conduct free arrest record searches. Free searches do not return comprehensive information or full reports. Users would have to pay a small fee for extensive searches.

Get Delaware County Criminal Records

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office accepts walk-in requests for criminal records (also known as background checks). Requests can be made on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Record seekers should enter the kiosk in the lobby to sign in upon their arrival. The record staff would ask for the exact address of where results should be mailed, a valid driver’s license or state ID, and a Social Security Number. The requester must know if they want BCI fingerprints, FBI fingerprints, or both and provide the accurate BCI and/or FBI reason code(s) to run the fingerprints. The Sheriff charges $40 for a BCI or FBI criminal record, but both records cost $70. Ink cards cost $10. The acceptable forms of payment include money order and cash. Juvenile criminal records requesters should call (740) 833-2947 to schedule an appointment. Inquiries regarding adult criminal records can be made by calling the office at (740) 833-2801 or by email at ccw@co.delaware.oh.us.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) also issues Delaware County criminal records to members of the public at its BCI-authorized agent office. The requester would need to complete an application form and a fingerprint impression sheet. Non-Ohio residents can submit their requests by mail. A completed Fingerprint Card, a Request for Exemption from Electronic Fingerprint Submission Requirement, and a fee of $22 must be mailed to the BCI. The fee is payable by money order, business check, certified check, or personal check. Delaware County residents seeking a copy of a previously completed background check should follow the designated procedure by mailing a completed Background Check Copy Request Form along with an $8 fee to:

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investiga­tion (BCI)
P.O. Box 365
London, OH 43140

Delaware County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record contains information on a person questioned, apprehended, taken into custody, or detained by a law enforcement officer. It also contains investigation, arrest, charge, and trial details. Per Ohio Revised Code § 109.571, criminal records are information criminal justice agencies collect on an offender. They contain identifiable descriptions and arrests, detentions, indictments, charges, acquittal, sentencing, correctional supervision, and release details.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests can remain on a person’s record forever unless they are expunged or sealed. Not all arrest records can be expunged, and some require a designated waiting period before they are eligible for expungement. Delaware County law enforcement agencies will never delete the criminal case files of someone with a death penalty conviction. However, individuals charged with a minor misdemeanor would have to wait for six months, while it takes one year to expunge a serious misdemeanor. The Ohio History Connection provides Records Retention Schedules for arrest records in Delaware County:

• An arrested person’s criminal case file is kept for 50 years.
• Court and law enforcement compliance files are kept for two (2) years.
• If no pending action is involved, the daily jail activity logs of arrested persons are destroyed after three (3) years.
• Arrest records that are later expunged are destroyed upon receipt of an expungement order from a Court.
• Sealed or expunged records of dismissals and convictions are retained for 110 years or seven years after death.
• RapBack program, rap sheets & transcripts are kept for 60 days for electronic copies and two (2) years for paper copies after notification.
• Criminal case transcripts and exhibit dispositions (including hearing and trial transcripts) are kept for a year after the case is closed.
• Criminal incidents, arrests, supplemental reports, case and crash reports, and warrants are retained for six (6) years, provided no pending legal action.
• The arrested person’s weekly court disposition reports are kept for six (6) months for electronic copies and 110 years or seven years after death for paper copies.
• Arrestee’s DNA samples are kept for 125 years from the collection date. However, the sample will be kept for one (1) year if rejected and destroyed after confirmation if it is duplicated to existing samples within the past five years.

Expunge Delaware County Arrest Records

Pursuant to OH Rev Code §2151.355, an expungement is the deletion, destruction, and erasion of an arrest record to ensure permanent irretrievability. Arrestees must meet the following eligibility criteria stated within the Ohio Revised Code:

• Multiple charges (sealing or expungement of records) (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.61)
• Sealing or expungement of record of conviction record or bail forfeiture (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32)
• Sealing of official records after not guilty finding, dismissal of proceedings, grand jury no bill, or pardon (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.33)
• Expungement of certain convictions relating to firearms (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.35)
• Expungement of certain convictions for victims of human trafficking (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.36)
• Low-level controlled substance offense conviction record sealing or expungement on prosecutor's motion (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.39)
• Expungement of record of not guilty finding or dismissed charges when defendant victim of human trafficking (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.521)

Eligible individuals must file an Application to Seal or Expunge Record of Conviction with the Delaware County Clerk of Courts. The filing fee costs $50. The court will set a hearing date and send a notification to the prosecutor for the case within sixty days before the hearing. The prosecutor will notify the victim or their representative of the expungement application and hearing date and time. The court will hold the hearing between forty-five days and ninety days from the application date. The prosecutor to the expungement by filing a written objection with the court within thirty days before the hearing date. The objection must specify the reasons for the application denial. The case victim, their representative, or attorney can choose to be present at the hearing and heard orally, in writing, or both. The court can send a Delaware County probation officer to make inquiries and written reports concerning the applicant. At the hearing, the court will consider the applicant’s eligibility for expungement and the prosecutor and victim’s approval or objection to the application. The court will do any of the following if it orders the expungement of the applicant’s arrest records:

• The court will forward a copy of the expungement order and the applicant's fingerprint records to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) if the applicant was fingerprinted at the time of arrest or under Ohio Revised Code §109.60.
• The Court will order the Delaware County Sheriff to take the applicant’s fingerprints on the forms furnished by the superintendent of the BCI if the applicant was not fingerprinted during the arrest or their fingerprint records were not provided to the court, but fingerprinting was required for the offense. The sheriff will send the applicant's fingerprints to the court. The court will then forward the applicant's fingerprints and a copy of the expungement order to the BCI.

Upon obtaining an expungement order, the BCI will retain the expunged arrest record solely to assess the individual’s eligibility for employment in law enforcement. The court will not require the BCI to permanently destroy, delete, or erase the record. However, when other entities are notified by the court of an expunged arrest record, they are obligated to destroy, delete, and erase the record to ensure it is permanently irretrievable. Eligible juveniles can have their arrest records expunged by filing an Application to Seal or Expunge Records of Non-Conviction with the court.

Delaware County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an official document issued by a Delaware County judge commanding a peace officer to make an arrest. The judge can only issue the warrant when a peace officer files an affidavit or complaint showing probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime (OH Rev Code §2935.08). Any arrest warrant issued in Delaware County can be executed in any county in Ohio (OH Rev Code § 2935.02). Per OH Rev Code § 2935.18, an arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The date the warrant was issued
• The name of the county where it was issued, which in this case is “Delaware County”
• The defendant’s name, but if unknown, a specific description of the defendant
• A description of the offense
• A command to make an arrest and the judge’s office and signature

After making the arrest, an officer must file the executed arrest warrant with the issuing court. An unexecuted arrest warrant will also be returned to the issuing court and can be canceled by a judge of that court at the prosecuting attorney's request.

Delaware County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can conduct arrest warrant searches by phone at (740) 833-2890, email at DCSOclerks@co.delaware.oh.us, and in person at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. All in-person requests must be made during business hours. A name or warrant number is required to process the request. The office is located at:

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
1776 State Route 521
Delaware, OH 43015

Do Delaware County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Delaware County. They remain active until the executing officer arrests the alleged offender. Although arrest warrants do not expire, they can be canceled by the issuing judge at the prosecuting attorney's request.