Fulton County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Fulton County, Ohio, are an essential part of the criminal justice system. They document the details of an individual's detention by law enforcement. These records serve as an important bridge between law enforcement and the judiciary and are often tied to Fulton County Court records, which provide additional information about criminal proceedings and case outcomes.

Arrests in Fulton County become necessary when law enforcement determines there is probable cause that an individual has committed a crime in accordance with the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution and the Ohio Revised Code (ORS) §2935.08.

Following an arrest, individuals are typically booked by the Ohio sheriff's department or law enforcement in charge of the arrest. The booking process involves recording vital information about the arrested person.

The booking process includes the following steps:

• Verification of identity: Arresting officers collect personal details, including the individual's name, date of birth, address, and any known aliases.
• A mugshot of the individual is taken to be included in official records. This photo will be made public unless the individual qualifies for record sealing or expungement.
• The arrestee's fingerprints are captured and submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for cross-referencing against criminal databases.
• Law enforcement officials record the offenses the individual is being charged with. A report detailing the arrest circumstances is also filed.
• Individuals are screened for any immediate medical needs or conditions that require attention, including assessments for drug or alcohol intoxication.
• The arrestee's personal belongings, such as wallets, keys, and jewelry, are confiscated, inventoried, and securely stored until their release.
• The individual is placed in a holding cell or jail facility while awaiting arraignment, bond hearing, or further processing.
• Arrested individuals are informed of their legal rights, including the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent.

Individuals arrested in Fulton County are typically held at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO), which serves multiple counties, including Fulton County. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records and ensuring accurate documentation of arrests, detention, and charges.

Arrest records often interact with other public records, such as court filings and criminal histories, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual’s interaction with the justice system. Arrests are also included in Fulton County Court Records and criminal history databases maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

Are Arrest Records Public in Fulton County?

Per Ohio's Public Records Act ( ORC §149.43), most arrest records are considered public information and are accessible to the public. However, certain exceptions exist, such as:

• Ongoing investigation: information related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the case.
• Juvenile Records: Arrest records involving minors are typically confidential, per ORC § 2151.14.
• Expunged or Sealed Records: Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order are not accessible to the public, per ORC § 2953.32.

To access Fulton County arrest records, individuals may submit a request to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Fees and identification requirements generally apply.

Fulton County Arrest Statistics

As of May 2022, the average number of people incarcerated in Fulton County daily was 79, which is a 2% decrease from May 2019. The county also has an Arrest rate of 19 persons per 1000 residents. The percentage of arrests for low-level offenses is 36%, drug possession 13%, while violent crime is 15%

Find Fulton County Arrest Records

To locate arrest records in Fulton County, individuals may use the following resources:

• The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office provides access to arrest logs and jail rosters through its official websites or through in-person requests.
• Ohio Bureau of Investigation (BCI) which offers background checks that include arrest records. Requests may be made online or through approved fingerprinting locations.
• Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO): which offers an Inmate search to locate individuals currently in custody.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Ohio, arrest records generally remain on an individual's criminal history indefinitely unless they are expunged or sealed. Per ORC § 2953, individuals may be eligible for expungement if:

• The charges were dismissed or resulted in an acquittal.
• A set period has passed since the arrest or the completion of sentencing.

Expungement eligibility for convictions varies based on the severity of the offense. According to Ohio law, certain violent or sexual offenses are not eligible for expungement.

Fulton County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Fulton County are legal orders issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to detain an individual suspected of a crime. Warrants are governed by ORC § 2935.08 and must include the following:

• The suspect's name or a clear description of the suspect.
• The alleged offense and statutory reference
• Probable cause evidence supporting the arrest.
• The signature of the issuing judicial officer.

Circumstances that may necessitate an arrest warrant include failure to appear in court, suspicion of criminal activity, or parole violations. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing these warrants.

Do Fulton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Ohio, arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until they are executed or canceled by the issuing court. However, the enforceability of certain warrants may be affected by the statute of limitations for underlying, as outlined in ORC § 2901.13.

For instance:

• Misdemeanors: the status of limitations is typically two years.
• Felonies: Most Felony offenses have no statute of limitations in Ohio, meaning related warrants remain enforceable indefinitely.
• Courts may also quash or recall warrants for procedural or legal reasons.
• If an individual voluntarily resolves the underlying issue, such as appearing in court, the warrant may be invalidated.