Hocking County Arrest Records

Arrests in Hocking County are generally carried out by the sheriff’s office or city police departments. Individuals arrested by the Hocking County Sheriff are held in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. This facility also houses Athens, Morgan, Vinton, and Perry County inmates. Upon admission to the jail facility, an inmate’s identification data and offense details are documented, creating an arrest record. Corresponding Hocking County court records are also created in cases where the arrest proceeds to trial or where the arrest resulted from a court-issued warrant. On a broader scope, arrest records are part of criminal records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hocking County?

Yes, Per the Ohio Sunshine Law, Hocking County arrest records are public. This law applies to every other record kept by public agencies across various counties in Ohio. Under the statute, members of the public are entitled to access Hocking County arrest records. However, this law also outlines conditions under which certain arrest information may be withheld from public access.

Some examples of records withheld from public disclosure include those pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations or legal proceedings whose disclosure may aid possible interference with their outcome. Records that contain sensitive personal information and information whose disclosure may amount to an unnecessary invasion of privacy are also restricted from public access. The following are specific examples of exempt records:

• Juvenile arrest reports
• Phone numbers and social security numbers
• Expunged or sealed arrest records
• Classified investigative records
• Records sequestered under Sections 4112.05 and 2710.03 of the Ohio Revised Code.

In most cases, non-public arrest records are accessible to their subjects. Persons seeking non-public arrest records for official or legitimate reasons are required to obtain court authorization, usually as a subpoena.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Hocking County arrest records typically contain the following information:

• Arrestee’s name and age/date of birth
• Weight, race, sex, height, hair color, and other physical descriptions
• Mugshots
• Charges that led to the arrest
• Name of arresting agency
• Name of detention facility
• Bail/bond information
• Release date (if the arrestee has previously been released from custody).

Hocking County Arrest Statistics

No county-level arrest totals are published for Hocking County.
Ohio law enforcement agencies send their data to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which aggregates it at the state level. The most recent full-year UCR arrest file (2019) shows the following statewide totals:

Find Hocking County Arrest Records

The Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail (SEORJ) houses inmates from Hocking, Athens, Morgan, Vinton, and Perry Counties and publishes inmate information on its online inmate roster. The information available on this website includes the inmate's name, photo, jail ID, charges, and booking date. People can also make jail-related inquiries when they call (740) 753-4060.

Interested parties may also query the sheriff’s office for complete records by submitting a public record request online. Record requests can also be made over the phone by calling (740) 385-2131 or in person at:

25 East Second Street
Logan, OH 53138.

Individuals looking to conduct a statewide inquiry may use the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's (DRC) Offender Search platform to access information about past and current offenders under DRC supervision. Inquirers only require an arrestee’s name to perform a search. Information obtainable during a search includes criminal history information, full name, mugshot, and sentencing information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hocking County

Hocking County arrest records can be accessed for free on the SEORJ’s online inmate roster. The sheriff’s office also offers this service for free, unless a person requests copies. Private databases may also be used for arrest record searches, which can be done using an inmate’s name. Some third-party online resources allow users to filter search results using an arrest date range. However, further verification is advised if the sought-after record is required as a reference as these websites may contain incomplete or inaccurate information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless expunged, an arrest stays on a person’s record indefinitely. While sealing can make a person’s record invisible to the public, such records still exist and can be accessed by certain employers and law enforcement, as well as private individuals with court authorization.

Expunge Hocking County Arrest Records

Under Ohio law, as enshrined in Section 2953 of the Ohio Revised Code, expungement means entirely destroying records about an arrest. After an expungement, the associated arrest can be treated as though it never happened. Note that expungement and sealing differ, as sealed records are not destroyed but are only made non-public and can be accessed with appropriate authorization. The offenses listed below are not eligible for expungement:

• Traffic convictions
• First or second-degree felonies
• Three or more third-degree felonies
• Non-sexually oriented violent felonies
• Violating a protection order
• Crimes against victims less than 13 years old.

For arrests that qualify, one must satisfy the applicable waiting period following completion of their prison or jail sentence before applying for an expungement:

• Six months for a minor misdemeanor
• One year for a misdemeanor
• Eleven years for a fourth or fifth-degree felony
• Thirteen years for one or two third-degree felonies.

A petitioner must not have any pending criminal charges in their name and they must be able to prove that they have been "rehabilitated to the court’s satisfaction". In addition, an applicant must show that their interest in expunging a record is greater than any legitimate government or public need to maintain the record. To expunge an arrest record, the record subject must complete an application in the court where the case was filed.

While individual courts have specific forms and processes, one may obtain every necessary piece of information from the Clerk of Courts, including what documents to file and how to file them. This office may also furnish a person with important information, such as case number, conviction date, name and degree of offense, and date of case discharge. A filing fee of $75.00 applies, although a person can request a waiver by completing an "affidavit of indigence" or poverty affidavit. This fee may vary with the court. The Hocking County Municipal Court, for example, charges $60.00. The court typically holds an expungement hearing 45 to 90 days from the date an application was filed.

Hocking County Arrest Warrants

In Ohio, an arrest warrant may be issued by a magistrate or judge. Hocking County arrest warrants are judicial documents that authorize law enforcement to apprehend and take a person in custody. Per the Ohio Revised Statutes 2935.08, the court must possess probable cause for issuing an arrest warrant. Probable cause is established using evidence sufficient enough to link an individual to a crime that has been committed.

Warrant information can be obtained at the office of the clerk of courts, the sheriff’s office, or city police departments. Under Ohio law, an arrest warrant must contain the following information:

• Suspect name, sex, and age
• If the suspect's name is unknown, the warrant must contain sufficient information describing the suspect with reasonable certainty
• Name or description of the offense(s)
• Name of issuing authority
• Date and county of issuance
• Bond condition (if any)
• Arrest clause.

Do Hocking County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Hocking County do not expire unless canceled or recalled by the issuing court. They remain active until the individual named in the warrant is arrested or dies. However, an individual may prevent an arrest if they turn themselves in before apprehension by law enforcement and fulfill any bond requirements.