Hancock County Arrest Records

A Hancock County arrest record is a document that provides details of a person's apprehension by a law enforcement officer. These records are typically generated by the arresting agency and are featured within law enforcement records as well as related Hancock County Court Records. An arrest typically occurs following the issuance of an arrest warrant for an individual who is alleged to be involved in a criminal offense. Members of law enforcement conduct arrests, but citizen arrests may also occur under special circumstances.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hancock County?

Yes. The Ohio Public Records Act makes provisions for citizens to inspect and copy arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. Most agencies have several options for members of the public to request records in their custody. However, the Ohio Public Records Act protects certain specific types of arrest records from release. Therefore, law enforcement agencies will not open such records publicly. The OH Rev Code §149.43 specifies some records deemed confidential in Hancock County. Such records include investigatory, juvenile, probation, and parole proceedings, as well as medical and trial preparation records. Additionally, any arrest records whose disclosure will endanger the life or physical safety of a witness, a police officer, a crime victim, or a confidential source are deemed confidential.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A Hancock County arrest records contain the following information publicly available to requesters:

• Name, date of birth, address, and subject number
• Age, gender, race, weight, height, and aliases
• Booking number, date, time, and origin
• Release date and time, and schedule release date
• Prisoner type, classification, and offense date
• Total bail and bond amounts and bond number
• Charges, court date, court, and courtroom
• Charge description, docket number, disposition, and disposition date
• Sentence date and length, crime class, and arresting agency

Hancock County Arrest Statistics

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Annual Report shows that about 1,749 arrestees were booked into jail in 2023. About 1,342 of them were males, and 407 were females. That same year, about 1,745 arrestees were released from jail. The average daily population was 82.

Find Hancock County Arrest Records

Record seekers can find Hancock County arrest records online or in person at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC). They can make online requests using the Offender Search tool. The search criteria are name, county, hearing date, or number. The search will return arrest information of incarcerated individuals serving time in Ohio prisons, under department supervision, or being judicially released. The ODRC has a network of facilities throughout the state that accept in-person requests for arrest records. The search is usually faster when sufficient information to process the request is provided.

Interested persons can also query federal law enforcement agencies for Hancock County arrest records. Generally, requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person during business hours. Some agencies have free access options, while others do not. Below are some ways to find arrest records from major agencies in the country:

• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): Inquirers can find arrest summary reports online for free. Users can enter CFN number, crime date, crime summary, or crime type to streamline their searches. They can also submit a completed Request Form by mail to the USCP. Requesters should wait for 7 or 10 days to get copies of their records by fax, mail, or email or pick them up in person at the office. All mail requests should be sent to:

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

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Subjects of records can request arrest records online, by mail, or through approved channelers. The FBI charges $18 per copy, which can be paid by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check. Those submitting their requests online should visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit their fingerprints and wait 15 days for copies of records. Mail requesters must send the FBI a completed Applicant Information Form with the appropriate fees. They have to wait for 20 days to get copies of the record. The mailing address is:

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

• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Interested persons can use the Online Detainee Locator System to find Hancock County arrest records for free. The search criteria are by an A-Number or biographical information. Alternatively, they can personally visit any ICE local field offices and detention facilities to submit a request.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Individuals can freely access arrest records through the Inmate Locator, available on the website. The search parameters are by number or name. They can also visit any BOP facilities to obtain copies of arrest records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hancock County

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) uses its Inmate Inquiry tool as a database where residents can find arrest records for free. Users can enter a name, booking number, booking date range, subject number, or housing facility in the appropriate search box to locate a record.

Some third-party websites advertise free access to arrest records, which individuals can check out. However, such offers come with some limitations or even hidden charges. Many third-party databases return limited arrest information like arrest summaries or basic details for free but charge for full arrest reports.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Hancock County arrests generally stay on record indefinitely. For example, offense reports involving homicides and deaths are permanent. However, individuals can take action to expunge or seal their records as established by law. The Ohio History Connection provides Sheriff Records Retention Schedules highlighting how long some arrest records are kept based on value. For example:

• Daily jail activity logs are kept for 3 years.
• Offense reports index excluding those relating to homicide and death are kept for 5 years.
• Offense reports of felonies are kept for one year after statutes of limitation for the offense ends.
• Upon receipt of an Expungement Order from a Hancock County Court, a person's arrest records will be destroyed.
• Offense reports of misdemeanors are retained 5 years or after the statute of limitations ends, whichever is longer.
• Criminal incidents, case, supplemental, and crash reports, arrests, and warrants are kept for 6 years.
• Dash cam audio/video recordings revealing felony offenses are kept for 6 years, while those of misdemeanors are kept for 2 years.

Expunge Hancock County Arrest Records

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, several waiting periods are required before arrested persons can file for expungement of their records. For example, individuals convicted of

• Minor misdemeanors must wait for 6 months after their final discharge
• Misdemeanors must wait for one (1) year after the offender's final discharge.
• Felonies must wait ten (10) years.

Ohio Law clears states that offenses like first or second-degree felonies, more than two third-degree felonies, offenses with mandatory prison terms, and Most traffic and motor vehicle offenses, domestic violence, are not expungable. Eligible individuals not convicted of an offense can file Application for Sealing of Criminal Records Forms, and those convicted of a crime should file Application for Sealing or Expungement of Conviction Forms with the Hancock County Clerk of Courts. The filing fee is $50. The court will schedule a hearing date and refer to the Hancock County Adult Probation Department for an investigation. The Department will submit a complete report before the hearing.

Hancock County Arrest Warrants

According to Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, the process of issuing an arrest warrant starts with the filing of a written statement called a complaint with a court. A judge, magistrate, or clerk of court will examine the complaint and must be able to find probable cause to believe that a defendant has committed an offense before they will issue an arrest warrant. Ohio law permits judicial officers to issue multiple arrest warrants on the same complaint.

The arrest warrant clearly states the defendant's name. If the name is unknown, the judicial officer will state any name or description to help identify the defendant. The arrest warrant also describes the offense committed by the defendant and provides a numerical reference to the relevant statute or ordinance. The judge will then attach a copy of the complaint to the arrest warrant and hand it over to an authorized officer for execution. The officer can execute the arrest warrant at any place in Ohio. After executing the warrant, the officer must return it to the issuing court. However, the prosecuting attorney can ask the court to cancel a returned unexecuted warrant.

Do Hancock County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Hancock County. They remain valid until the defendant is arrested. However, the prosecuting attorney may sometimes request a judge cancel a returned unexecuted arrest warrant.