Erie County Arrest Records

An arrest is the apprehension of a person by a law enforcement officer for violating state laws or city ordinances. In Erie County, the arresting officer is responsible for recording arrests. An arrest record typically includes the arrestee's personal information, nature of charges, arrest date, and location. Record seekers can locate the records using the online database provided by the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Arrest records can also be obtained by visiting the court where the case was tried. Most local courts have physical and digital copies of Erie County court records that contain the case party's arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Erie County?

Yes. The Ohio Public Records Act grants residents the right to inspect or copy arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. Requests for arrest records can be made in any manner approved by the record custodian. Public access to arrest records helps promote transparency and public safety. Not all arrest records or information contained in a record are subject to release under the Ohio Public Records Act. For example, inmate medical records, probation and parole proceedings records, trial preparation records, and confidential law enforcement investigatory records are not usually released to the public. Also, inmate records the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction releases to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) or a court is considered confidential.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Erie County residents can find the following information in a public arrest record:

• Jail ID
• Mugshot
• Total bail amount
• The inmate's first, last, and middle names
• Charges
• Booking and release dates
• Next court date
• Name of court
• Current disposition
• The arresting agency's name

Erie County Arrest Statistics

The Erie County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) was served 874 arrest warrants and made 608 criminal arrests in 2023. The Sheriff's Office traffic enforcement made about 88 impaired driving arrests that same year. The Erie County Jail has approximately 3037 arrestees, with an average daily jail population of 108 inmates. As of November 2024, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) recorded 36 felony arrests in Erie County. This was a decrease from the 59 felony arrests recorded in the previous year.

Find Erie County Arrest Records

Arrest records of adults convicted of felonies with a minimum of six months in prison term are available online and in person at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC). Online inquirers can find arrest records using the Offender Search tool. Searches can be done by name, county, hearing date, or offender number. Users can combine searches to narrow the results. In-person requests can be made at ODRC Facilities, which are available at different locations in the state. Requesters must provide sufficient information about the record to facilitate the search.

Federal law enforcement agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Capitol Police (USCP), and Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also disseminate Erie County arrest records to requesters. Some of these agencies restrict access to their records. For example, the FBI permits subjects of records to access arrest records online, by mail, or through authorized channelers for a fee of $18. Acceptable forms of payment are certified checks, money orders, or credit cards (use the Credit Card Payment Form). Online requesters must visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit their fingerprints. The processing time is 15 days. Mail requesters must fill out an Applicant Information Form to the FBI. The turnabout time takes about 20 days. The mailing address is:

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

Other agencies have online databases where members of the public can find arrest records without charges. For example, the ICE's Online Detainee Locator System, USCP's Online Portal, and the BOP's Inmate Locator are good places where individuals can access arrest records for free. The search criteria are A-Number, biographical details, CFN number, crime date, crime summary, crime type, number, or name, depending on the portal. Some federal law enforcement agencies also allow in-person requests at their facilities (ICE's field offices or detention facilities and BOP facility).

Free Arrest Record Search in Erie County

Individuals can find free arrest records on the Erie County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) website through the Jail Roster. Users would have to scroll the information on the website to locate the appropiate record. Inquirers can also find arrest records on third-party databases without charges. However, free searches will only return information that may not be sufficient for users. That is why most third-party sites provide comprehensive arrest information when users pay subscription or full access fees.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Generally, arrests stay on a person's records forever in Erie County, except when expunged. For example, investigative files pertaining to murder, homicide, sexual battery, and rape felony offenses are permanent. However, the Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains a records retention schedule available to members of the public. The schedule shows how long arrest records are retained in the Sheriff's Office. For example:

• Fingerprint records are retained for 10 years
• Inmate files are kept for 2 years after release
• Records of writs and summons are kept for 2 years
• Warrant judgment entries are kept for a year
• Inmate medical and dental records are retained for 6 years
• Citation copies are kept for 2 years from the issuance date
• Sex offender files are kept for a year after registration expires
• Requests for background checks through electronic fingerprinting are kept for a year
• Complaint reports, and misdemeanor investigation files are kept for 5 years from case closing
• Felony offense investigation files are kept for 10 years from case closing. Files of felony offenses listed in ORC 2901.13(A)(3) are kept for 25 years from case closing.

Expunge Erie County Arrest Records

An expungement is the destruction of electronic and physical arrest records so they are irretrievable. The Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2953 highlights the eligibility criteria for expungement in Erie County. According to the code, the following arrest records cannot be expunged:

• First-or second-degree felony
• More than two third-degree felonies
• Most traffic and motor vehicle offenses
• Convictions relating to domestic violence
• Any felony offense involving violence, excluding sexually oriented offense
• Convictions of crimes where the victim is under 13 years old (except convictions for non-support).
• Convictions involving sexually oriented offense when the offense is subject to SORN requirement

Individuals eligible for expungement should send the appropriate expungement form to the Erie County Clerk of Courts. Below are some forms that can be filed with the court:

• Application to Seal Record of Conviction
• Application to Seal Record of NonConviction
• Application to Expunge Record of Conviction
• Application to Expunge Record of Conviction as Victim of Human Trafficking
• Application to Expunge Record of Conviction for Improperly Handling Firearm in Motor Vehicle

The Clerk charges a $100 filing fee, but expunging records for dismissed charges or cases where the arrested person was found not guilty is free. After receiving the petition and the appropriate filing fee, the judge will set a hearing to consider the application's merits. If the judge approves the expungement application, law enforcement agencies take at least six weeks to expunge the person's arrest record.

Erie County Arrest Warrants

According to Ohio Revised Code § 2935.08, a judge, magistrate, or Clerk will issue an arrest warrant to a peace officer when they receive a complaint or affidavit supporting its issuance. The arrest warrant may feature a copy of the affidavit attached to it or contain details of the accusation. It will be directed to an authorized officer instructing them to bring the defendant before the issuing court to be dealt with according to law (Ohio Revised Code § 2935.18). The officer will execute the warrant by arresting the defendant. They do not need to have the warrant in their possession at the time of the arrest. However, the officer must inform the defendant of the charge against them and that a warrant was issued. Per Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, the officer who executed the warrant must return it to the issuing court. However, the judge can cancel unexecuted warrants returned to the court at the request of the prosecuting attorney.

Do Erie County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until the alleged offender is arrested or pays fines. However, arrest warrants can be canceled for good reasons when authorized by the prosecuting attorney.