Geauga County Arrest Records

Geauga County, Ohio arrest records are official documents generated by law enforcement agencies that provide information about an arrest, the arrested person, and the alleged crime committed. An officer can arrest persons with warrants or take them into custody without warrants as long as there is probable cause that they committed a crime. In line with federal and state laws, these people may be detained with or without charges, released, or taken to see a judge.

The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. Suspects and convicts are kept in the Geauga County Safety Center. It is located at:

Geauga County Safety Center
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 279-2009

Therefore, while the arresting body creates and files arrest records, related arrest information may be available in other records like inmate or jail records, criminal records, and warrant details in Geauga County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Geauga County?

Yes. Geauga County arrest records are considered public under the Ohio Open Records Law. The records law defines “public records” as records maintained by public agencies offices in the state. Law enforcement agencies in Geauga County that generate and maintain are considered public agencies and their records are accessible to the public. Thus, residents and interested persons may request copies of Geauga County arrest records.

Despite the publicly accessible nature of arrest records, there are some restrictions to public access to certain arrest records or information in Geauga County. This includes:

• Where the record contains confidential information.
• Law enforcement investigatory records pertaining to criminal, quasi-criminal, civil, or administrative cases and whose disclosure may:
  • Identify a suspect not charged with the offense specified on the record.
  • Reveal the identity of a confidential witness or source.
  • Reveal confidential investigatory techniques or procedures
  • Endanger the safety or life of law enforcement personnel.
• Juvenile information.
• Information whose release may jeopardize law enforcement proceedings or investigation.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Geauga County arrest records contain the following information:

• The arrestee’s personal information and description, such as the person’s full name, race, gender, date of birth, mugshot, and address.
• Arrest information, including the date, time, and location of the arrest.
• The arresting agency and officer’s information.
• Charge information - description, type, and level.
• Booking details.
• Warrant information.

Geauga County Crime Rate

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services provides annual crime statistics of all municipalities in Ohio. The 2023 report revealed 89 reported crimes in Geauga County, including 16 violent crimes and 73 property crimes. The violent crimes included five rape incidents and 11 aggravated assaults. The property crimes included ten burglaries, 52 larcenies, and 11 motor vehicle thefts.

Geauga County Arrest Statistics

There were few arrests made in Geauga County in 2023. They include two rape arrests, seven aggravated assaults, five burglaries, 35 larcenies, and three motor vehicle thefts.

Find Geauga County Arrest Records

Geauga County arrest records and inmate information can be looked up using the Ohio Offender Search provided by Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DROC). The resource can be queried using the first and last name of the inmate.

Alternatively, a requesting party may contact the Geauga County Jail on (440) 279-2009 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to obtain information about inmates housed in the facility. It will be useful to have information about the inmate for ease of information retrieval.

At the federal level, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates the BOP Inmate Locator. This tool assists interested persons with finding inmates incarcerated in federal prisons by searching their names. It contains information on the inmate’s location, release date, and other relevant information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Geauga County

You can access arrest records and inmate information in Geauga County for free through official records. You can call the jail facility on (440) 279-2009 or use the Ohio Offender Search. The BOP Inmate Locator may be used to find information on inmates in federal prisons.

An alternative method for accessing Geauga County arrest records is by utilizing free third-party websites that aggregate public records. While these platforms can offer a broad selection of records, users should exercise caution. The data available on such sites may not always be up-to-date or completely accurate, which could lead to misinformation. To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to cross-reference any findings from third-party sources with official government records.

In general, while these third-party sites may provide convenience, they should not be relied upon as the sole source of information. For the most accurate and reliable records, it is always best to obtain documents directly from official government resources or other verified channels.

Get Geauga County Criminal Records

Geauga County criminal records are official documents regarding criminal offenses that occured within the county. Warrants, arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences are some of the data found in a criminal record. The County sheriff’s office records crime events and is tasked with the duty to provide criminal records to the public as and when required. Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) functions in a broader repository capacity at the state level. Some of the information presented in criminal records are name, date of birth, date and location of crime, charge, fingerprint data, and mugshot.

To obtain an individual’s criminal record maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in the state of Ohio, the information required are:

• Complete name of the individual
• Physical identifying features
• Current address

The complete set of fingerprints and signed consent of the individual whose criminal history is being queried are also essential parts of this process. Obtaining a criminal record in Ohio costs $22, payable to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio by money order, check, or electronic payment. Requests for criminal records may be addressed to any of the BCI office at:

London BCI
1560 State Route 56 Southwest
London, OH 43140

Bowling Green BCI
750 North College Drive
Bowling Green, OH 43402

Richfield BCI
4055 Highlander Parkway
Richfield, OH 44286

Youngstown BCI
20 West Federal Street
Youngstown, OH 44503

Through,
Geauga Sheriff’s Office
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024
Phone: (440) 279-2009

Geauga County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

When seeking records information, it is crucial to understand the key distinctions between what appears in a criminal records search and what is found in Geauga arrest records. Arrest records indicate that an individual was detained by law enforcement on suspicion of committing a crime; however, they do not serve as evidence of guilt or an admission of wrongdoing.

On the other hand, a Geauga criminal record provides a more comprehensive view. It includes not only the arrest details but also the charges, court proceedings, and the final outcome of the case. Additionally, criminal records document any previous charges and convictions, offering a complete history of an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system.

In summary, a criminal record is more detailed, encompassing all relevant information about an individual’s legal history, including both current and past offenses. In contrast, an arrest record is more limited, revealing only that a person was taken into custody and the reason for their arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Ohio, arrests generally remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless the record is sealed or expunged by a court order. There is no automatic expiration for arrest records under Ohio law, meaning they can be visible on background checks and other public records searches unless action is taken to remove them. To remove an arrest from your record, you must typically go through a legal process to have the record sealed or expunged, which is only available under certain conditions, such as if charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted.

Expunge Geauga County Arrest Records

In Ohio, an arrest record may be eligible to be sealed or expunged depending on its subject and the nature of the offense. The Ohio Revised Code sections 2953.31 and 2953.32 govern the eligibility and procedures for sealing and expungement of records. The fundamental difference between expunging and sealing records is that sealing a record removes it from public view, while expunging a record destroys it entirely. Also, sealing is used where the individual is not convicted, while expungement is mostly for criminal convictions.

Eligibility for sealing or expungement depends on the applicable statute and other factors such as:

• The type and offense of the conviction.
• The completion of the sentence, including payment of fines and restitution.
• The existence of pending criminal cases.
• The time elapsed since completion of the sentence.

An individual is eligible for sealing of arrest records if the individual was arrested but not charged. They can request the sealing of the arrest record by submitting a written letter to the chief of police in the community where the arrest occurred. If the records from cases that were dismissed or where the individual was found not guilty can be expunged immediately after the trial’s conclusion.

If the individual is convicted for a criminal charge, there is the amount of time that they must wait after fully completing the sentence to seal or expunge an otherwise eligible criminal conviction:

Generally, there are certain records are not eligible for expungement, including:

• First and second-degree felony convictions.
• Convictions involving victims under 13 years old.
• Certain third-degree felony convictions.

Individuals can now apply to seal up to five non-violent, non-sexual felony convictions and an unlimited number of non-sexual, non-violent misdemeanors.

To file a petition for sealing or expungement, individuals must submit a filled out Application for Sealing Record form to the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. The filing fee is typically $50, though no fee is required for cases that were dismissed, found not guilty, or where a no-bill charge was issued. If unable to pay the fee, individuals may submit a “Poverty Affidavit” along with their application.

Once the application and fees are submitted, a hearing is scheduled within 45 to 90 days. If approved, it may take up to six months for the court and other agencies to complete the sealing process.

In sum, to qualify for expungement, you need to meet the conditions below:

• The conviction is not for a crime precluded by law from expungement.
• If you were not sentenced to a mandatory prison term for the conviction. (If a person were sentenced to prison time, but were eligible for community control/probation, they would still qualify).
• You can have one misdemeanor; or one felony; two misdemeanor convictions; or one misdemeanor conviction and one felony conviction expunged. Convictions from the same case are treated as one for expungement purposes. Minor misdemeanors and most traffic offenses do not count as convictions.
• The statutory waiting period has passed.
• You have no pending criminal charges against you.

For more information, check out the Sealing Application Packet or consult legal counsel.

Geauga County Arrest Warrants

In Geauga County, Ohio, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to detain an individual. Arrest warrants are issued when there is sufficient evidence to believe that the individual has committed a crime. This evidence is typically presented to the court by law enforcement officers through a sworn affidavit detailing the reasons for the arrest.

Arrest warrants in Geauga County are issued where a crime has been committed, and the authorities have gathered enough evidence to suspect a particular individual.

The arrest warrant contains various information, including the name of the individual to be arrested, physical description, and any other identifying details. It also specifies the criminal charges or suspected offenses that justify the arrest. The warrant will include the date of issuance, the name of the judge or magistrate who authorized it, and sometimes instructions regarding how and when the arrest can be made.

Geauga County Arrest Warrant Search

To find active arrest warrants in Geauga County, you can start by contacting the appropriate authorities. One option is to call the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office directly at (440) 279-2009. If you are a resident of Newbury or Burton, you can call (888) 714-0006.

Additionally, you can submit a Records Request form to inquire about any active warrants. This form allows you to formally request information on arrest warrants and other related records.

Do Geauga County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Geauga County, Ohio, arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. Once an arrest warrant is issued by a judge or magistrate, it remains active until the individual named in the warrant is either apprehended or the court takes specific action to cancel or resolve the warrant. This means that an arrest can be carried out at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the warrant was issued.