Hardin County Arrest Records

Hardin County arrest records provide evidence of arrests. These documents outline the reasons for arrests and are accessible through the Hardin County Sheriff's Office or part of Hardin County court records if their associated crimes result in criminal convictions.

According to Sections 2935.03 through 2935.07 of the Ohio Revised Code, law officers and private citizens may execute arrests if they witness criminal acts or if there is probable cause to believe individuals have committed crimes. Arrests also become imminent if judges or magistrates of the Hardin County Courts of Common Pleas or Hardin County Municipal Court issue arrest warrants. Arrests may be made by the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments such as the Kenton, Ada, and Forest Police Departments, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies in Hardin County

Hardin County law enforcement agencies hold arrestees after processing at the Hardin County Jail. This facility is the county's primary detention center for accommodating individuals awaiting trials, sentencing, transfer, or serving short-term prison sentences.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hardin County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Hardin County. The Ohio Public Records Act mandates that the Hardin County Sheriff's Office and other government agencies make Hardin County arrest records accessible to interested individuals upon request. However, there are exceptions to public scrutiny of certain Hardin County arrest records. Per Ohio laws, the public cannot access Hardin County arrest records relating to:

• Confidential Law Enforcement Investigatory Records (CLEIR)
• Identity of a confidential informant
• Juvenile arrests
• Sealed or expunged records
• Medical, mental health, or substance abuse information
• Body cam/dash cam footage if they reveal the interior of a private residence, show deceased individuals, involve minors, or contain sensitive information.

Requesters seeking access to exempted arrest records in Hardin County must have legal authorization. Inquirers may call (419) 673-1268 for information about arrests in Hardin County or reach out to the Hardin County Sheriff's Office at:

1025 South Main Street,
Kenton,
OH 43326.

Hardin County Arrest Statistics

Hardin County recorded 405 arrests over the three years from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2025. During this time, 96 individuals were arrested for simple assault, 52 for larceny, and 49 for DUI offenses. Additionally, there were 33 arrests for disorderly conduct and 30 for drug/narcotic violations.

Find Hardin County Arrest Records

Interested individuals seeking Hardin County arrest records should log into the Hardin County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster and access arrest records through inmate records. Alternatively, call, mail, or visit the Hardin County Sheriff's Office at:

1025 South Main Street,
Kenton,
OH 43326
Phone: (419) 673-1268 Ext. 2107.

Hardin County arrest records may also be accessible as part of Hardin County court records. Information seekers should log into the Hardin County Clerk of Courts Office Case Search Portal or call, mail, or visit the Hardin County Clerk of Courts Office at:

One Courthouse Square, Suite 310,
Kenton,
OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2278

Furthermore, Hardin County arrest records are accessible through criminal history checks. To conduct background checks:

• Navigate the Ohio Attorney General's Webcheck® Community Listing Page
• Scroll down and use the Search by County drop-down menu to select Hardin, or enter the relevant Zip Code into the Search by Zip text field.
• Click Search to display WebCheck community listings within Hardin County
• Visit any of these WebCheck centers to complete fingerprinting for criminal history checks.

Note that accessing an arrest record through background checks requires the owner's consent.

Hardin County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The discussion below highlights the differences between Hardin County arrest and criminal records.

Hardin County arrest records

Hardin County arrest records are official law enforcement documents that detail the apprehension and detention of individuals for various offenses within Hardin County, OH. These records contain personal information, the reasons for arrests, booking details, and bail/bond conditions.

According to Ohio and federal laws, an arrest does not equate to guilt for a crime, as only the court may determine whether an arrestee is guilty or innocent. Hardin County arrest records typically have limited consequences on their owners unless the underlying crimes lead to convictions.

Hardin County criminal records

In contrast to arrest records, a Hardin County criminal record is a court document that provides a comprehensive account of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system in Hardin County. These documents provide more extensive information about crimes and their prosecutions within the county.

Hardin County criminal records encompass Hardin County arrest records (specifically those linked to prosecutions) and other files relating to criminal trials within the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Courts.

Unlike arrest records, having criminal records officially confirms a person's conviction for criminal acts. Additionally, criminal records may impact employment and housing opportunities and affect social status and personal relationships.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Hardin County and other parts of Ohio, arrest information may stay on records indefinitely unless the courts seal or expunge them. Per Ohio laws, eligible individuals may petition the courts to seal or expunge arrest records. According to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §§ 2953.31 to 2953.61, the following criteria are for sealing and expunging arrest records for misdemeanors and 4th or 5th-degree felonies:

Non-conviction arrests

• The arrest results in dismissal, acquittal, or no-bill
• The statute of limitations expires for dismissals without prejudice
• There are no pending criminal or traffic trials

Conviction cases

The owner of the arrest record must complete the sentence for the crime (including probation or parole if applicable) and observe the following waiting periods:

• Misdemeanor - 1 year after completing the sentence for the offense
• Felony - 3 years after serving the sentence
• Multiple convictions - 7 years after completing the sentence.

Additionally, applicants must not have more than one felony or two misdemeanor convictions.
Note: Multiple convictions for the same offense count as one conviction.

Hardin County Arrest Warrants

Hardin County arrest warrants are official directives from judges or magistrates of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas and the Hardin County Municipal Courts, granting law enforcement the authority to apprehend specified individuals. The courts issue these documents after law enforcement presents affidavits establishing probable cause for criminal activities. Furthermore, judges/magistrates issue arrest warrants for violations of court orders, domestic violence, and other actions that contravene state or local laws.

Typically, arrest warrants in Ohio (including Hardin County) contain the following details:

• Name, last known address, and physical description of the wanted person
• Allegations and sections of the Ohio Code allegedly violated
• Date, time, and location of issuance
• Warrant type
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Instructions on how law enforcement should execute the arrest
• Bail/bond conditions.

Do Hardin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Hardin County arrest warrants do not expire. These documents remain enforceable indefinitely unless the courts revoke them or law enforcement apprehends the individuals in question. Nevertheless, factors such as administrative errors, misleading information, and changes in Ohio and local laws are among the factors that influence the validity of Hardin County arrest warrants. Also, the statute of limitations may affect the timeframe for obtaining arrest warrants in Hardin County. If a crime is subject to a statute of limitations, the laws require prosecutors to file charges within the designated period. Failure to do so results in the dismissal of the case, preventing the court from issuing an arrest warrant.

Expunge Hardin County Arrest Records

The following steps outline the procedures for sealing or expunging Hardin County arrest records:

• Determine the eligibility to seal or expunge the specific arrest records.
• Gather the necessary documents that will aid the sealing process, including criminal history from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and case disposition records from the Hardin County Clerk of Courts Office

• Download an Expungement Form or obtain one from the Hardin County Clerk of Court's Office, complete it, and submit it along with the filing fees to the Hardin County Clerk of Court's Office at:

  One Courthouse Square, Suite 300,
  Kenton,
  OH 43326

• Attend a court hearing relating to the petition if the judge schedules one to explain how sealing the arrest record outweighs public interest in keeping it accessible.
• Wait for the court to decide on the petition. If the petition is successful, the judge will issue orders to the relevant agencies to seal the records.

Note: Expunged Hardin arrest records remain accessible to law enforcement, certification agencies, and other authorized entities.