Licking County Arrest Records

Arrest records are vital to the criminal justice system. They detail the arrestee’s personal information, the alleged offense, and the date and location of the arrest. Licking County Court Records are provided by the Sheriff's Office.

When law enforcement officers have reasonable cause to believe an individual has committed or is about to commit a criminal offense, they have the authority to make an arrest. This offense could be considered a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction, and each has its legal implications.

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the nearest law enforcement facility for booking. This process involves gathering and documenting key information about the suspect.

The procedure culminates in the creation of an arrest report. The next step depends on the severity of the offense. For less serious offenses, the individual may be released pending their first court appearance, with a promise to appear. In cases involving more serious charges, the suspect is typically detained in a jail facility operated by the arresting agency until their first court appearance.

Are Arrest Records Public in Licking County?

According to the Ohio Public Records Act, Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 149.43, public agencies must disclose public records upon request unless the records are exempt from disclosure under the Act.

Generally, individuals may access public records in Ohio unless state law specifically restricts or prohibits such inspection. However, the law permits a records custodian to request that the individual seeking to inspect public records present a form of identification. If the individual does not have such government-issued identification, the records custodian may accept alternative forms of identification.

Notwithstanding, some sensitive arrest and court records require more restrictive security levels. To access such records, individuals have to be authorized. Such authority is usually granted only to specific requesters, such as witnesses or victims of a crime, their legal representatives, and juvenile court presiding judges.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The information available in public arrest records in Licking County typically includes:

• The individual's identifying details, such as their name, address, date of birth, and other relevant identifying information
• A physical description of the individual, including their height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any tattoos
• A front-facing photograph of the individual
• Fingerprints of the individual
• The specific criminal charges
• The manner and time of release

According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.14 and the Juvenile Rules of Procedure, juvenile arrest records are generally not considered public records in Licking County, Ohio.

Licking County Crime Rate

According to a 2017 report from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), that year, Licking County experienced a total of 802 index crimes. The number of violent crimes was 204, while property crimes were 3,598. The violent crimes reported that year included five murders, 80 rapes, 40 robberies, and 79 cases of aggravated assault. Regarding property crimes, there were 747 reported burglaries, 2,587 larceny cases, 264 motor vehicle thefts, and 14 incidents of arson.

Licking County Arrest Statistics

For 2017, the arrest rate was 605.70 per 100,000 residents. This was 18.04% lower than the national average of 739.02 per 100,000 people. Of the total arrests, 60 were for violent crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery. Licking also processed 983 arrests for property crimes during the same year.

Find Licking County Arrest Records

Under the Ohio Public Records Act, interested individuals can request access to public criminal records by writing to the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s office is the official central repository for county arrest records. These records include information about arrests made by different law enforcement agencies within the county, including local police departments and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

When requesting arrest records, the following information is frequently requested to streamline the process:

• Date, time, and place of the incident.
• Names of those involved
• Case number
• Type of record

In addition, there are state and federal resources individuals can use to look up arrest records and inmate information in Licking County. The County Jail keeps a publicly accessible online database with daily updates of arrest reports for incarcerated individuals. Likewise, VINELink is a nationwide service providing information about offenders and criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons.

Free Arrest Record Search in Licking County

In Licking County, members of the public can request arrest records from the local police departments under Ohio’s Public Records Act. Any request for a record normally has no cost implications to the requester. But if the record on file would have to be reproduced, there are associated charges.

Some agencies provide free online resources or request centers in addition to in-person or walk-in options for obtaining public arrest records. This includes the Licking County Sheriff's Office inmate information center. Retention schedules apply to some agencies. Therefore, availability may change based on when the arrest occurs.

Get Licking County Criminal Records

The Licking County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of criminal history information for the County. In addition, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) maintains a statewide criminal history database, including arrest records, convictions, and other relevant information. Individuals can submit a request directly to the BCI to request a criminal record check. There is a fee of $22 associated with this service.

Licking County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

“Criminal record” and “arrest record” are often used interchangeably. However, there is a subtle distinction between the two. A criminal record provides a comprehensive account of a person's interactions with the criminal justice system. This contains arrests, charges, dispositions, sentence details, and other information about a person. In contrast, the arresting law enforcement agency maintains an arrest record. This record simply indicates an individual was arrested; it does not indicate guilt or conviction for any crime.

There is no centralized repository for criminal record searches. Individuals looking for Licking County criminal records might start their search at the local sheriff's office.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

When an individual is arrested and arraigned in Licking County, an arrest record is generated. This record details the charges filed and is maintained irrespective of the case's disposition. Should the individual be acquitted at trial or the charges dismissed, the arrest record would persist. The only way to remove this record is through a formal expungement or sealing procedure.

Expunge Licking County Arrest Records

The application process for jobs, housing, and licenses often involves a thorough review of applicants’ criminal records. A conviction can make it a lot more challenging for individuals to secure the opportunities they seek. Pursuant to Section 2953 of the Ohio Revised Code, Licking County residents may petition for the expungement of all references to a prior criminal conviction.

In Licking County, an individual is eligible to expunge a cumulative total of an unlimited number of less serious felonies, or up to two more serious felonies, or a combination of one third-degree felony and one fourth-degree felony, or any number of misdemeanors, provided that none of the offenses constitute violent crimes or violations of Ohio Revised Code section 2921.43.

To be eligible for expungement, applicants must have fully satisfied all requirements of their sentence. This includes paying all fines and costs in full, completing any court-ordered community service, and providing proof to the court. Also, they must have paid all court-ordered restitution, provided proof to the prosecutor's office, and completed any supervised probation. In addition, they must have accomplished any other court-ordered requirements, such as counseling and providing proof to the court.

Individuals may be eligible for expungement if:

• They were arrested and processed but not formally charged.
• Their accusations were dismissed by a court or dropped by the prosecution.
• They were acquitted at trial.

Record sealing or expungement is not an option for individuals convicted of felonies like arson, home burglary, robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, kidnapping, manslaughter, and murder.

To have their records sealed or expunged, individuals must first get a Certificate of Eligibility and then submit their request to the court. Along with their Application for a Certificate of Eligibility, applicants must also provide a certified copy of the verdict on each charge they want to have sealed or expunged.

Licking County Arrest Warrants

A warrant is a document issued by a judge or magistrate compelling a person to appear to answer criminal charges. To secure an arrest warrant, a law enforcement officer presents evidence that establishes probable cause to a prosecutor. The prosecutor carefully assesses the evidence for legal sufficiency. If the prosecutor determines probable cause exists, they prepare an affidavit detailing the evidence and submit it to the court for review.

The Judge then examines the evidence presented in the affidavit. Only when they are satisfied that the evidence meets the probable cause standard would an arrest warrant be issued. This judicial oversight checks the power of law enforcement and prosecution to ensure that arrests align with the rule of law.

Upon signing, a warrant is entered into the law enforcement database, which is accessible to all law enforcement officers. With an open warrant, a law enforcement officer can arrest a person without notice. The only way to have a warrant canceled or set aside is to appear at the court for an arraignment.

The following details are often included in an arrest warrant:

• The name of the court where the warrant was issued.
• The defendant's name.
• Physical attributes that might aid in their identification
• The alleged criminal offense
• The issuing date of the warrant
• The signature of the judge issuing the warrant.
• The bail amount

Licking County Arrest Warrant Search

Outstanding warrants are public records that can be readily obtained. In Licking County, Ohio, individuals who want to search for arrest warrants have a couple of options. The Sheriff’s office keeps a list of individuals with active warrants deemed to be high-priority. To request active warrants, individuals can go to their local police or sheriff’s department. They may be required to show government-issued identification.

Moreover, the clerk of courts also keeps track of current warrants. Such records are available either online or in person. Sometimes, requesters could be required to fill out a search form. As such, it is useful to have details such as First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and any other applicable information.

Do Licking County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Licking County, Ohio, a warrant for an individual’s arrest does not expire. The only way to have a warrant canceled or set aside is to turn themselves in. Even if law enforcement can't find the individual right away, the warrant stays in the system. If the individual is stopped and a warrant check is performed, the law enforcement agents can hold them until they consult with the court that issued the warrant.