Are Criminal Records in Mahoning County Publicly Accessible?

Per Ohio Sunshine Laws, the general public can access criminal records in Mahoning County. The law determines the process and requirements for obtaining such records. For instance, it requires public members to make oral, verbal, or online requests for criminal records in the custody of designated agencies.

State law, however, restricts certain criminal records from the general public for privacy or statutory reasons. Examples of exempted Mahoning County criminal records include:

• Sealed or expunged criminal records
• Personal information about crime victims.
• Restriction portions of a dashboard camera or body cam recording
• Identities of informants or suspects in a criminal investigation
• Information concerning investigation techniques and procedures
• Information that may endanger the lives or safety of law enforcement agencies

Who is Eligible to Access Mahoning County Criminal Records in Ohio?

Per Ohio Revised Statutes, all persons or entities, except incarcerated persons, are eligible to access Mahoning County criminal records. However, state law prevents public access to criminal records that may violate a person’s right to safety or privacy. Only the following parties have the right to view restricted criminal records:

• The record subject
• The record subject’s legal representatives
• Persons directly affected by the incident.
• Government entities, including law enforcement bodies and courts.

Legally eligible parties must verify their identity to obtain restricted criminal records from record custodians. In contrast, third-party requesters may present a court order or letter of authorization from the record subject.

How to Request Criminal Records in Mahoning County

Interested parties can request to view or obtain copies of Mahoning County criminal records by following this guide:

1. Find the public entities in charge of keeping the records
   You will find Mahoning County criminal records through requests made to the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
2. Choose a preferred option for getting the record
   The BCI offers mail and in-person options for accessing criminal records.
3. Order Mahoning County criminal record through the selected option
   To obtain criminal records from the BCI, interested applicants must use this guide:
4. Create a written request that includes the following:
   1. The record subject’s complete name, current address, and physical description.
   2. The offender’s full name, known aliases, current address, and physical attributes.
   3. Offender’s complete fingerprint. You can schedule an appointment to get fingerprinted at the county sheriff’s office or other local law enforcement agencies.
   4. A signed consent from the record subject (if you are a third-party requester).
   5. A $22 business check or money order made payable to the “Treasurer of the State of Ohio”.
5. Mail or submit the record in person to the BCI at:

Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Identification Division
Civilian Unit
P.O. Box 365
London, Ohio 43140.

Alternatively, third-party search websites like ohiocourtrecords.us offer online access to Mahoning County criminal records. The sites are typically easy to use and may allow users to download criminal information to their devices. Despite the benefits of using third-party sites, they are mostly unregulated and are not reliable sources of getting criminal records.

What Information Is Contained in Mahoning County Criminal Records?

In Mahoning County, criminal records may include the following information:

• Offender’s personal data, including the full name, known aliases, and physical description
• Mugshot
• Arrest information, including arrest charges and booking date.
• Criminal conviction information, such as the crime category, court judgment, and correctional facility
• Prior and current indictment
• Pending and final court disposition

Publicly accessible criminal records may not include information on juveniles, personal data, medical information, and parole details. Sealed criminal information is also exempt from public access.

Are There Restrictions on Accessing Criminal Records in Mahoning County?

There are restrictions when accessing certain criminal records in Mahoning County. Government entities generally restrict access to criminal records that contain sensitive or confidential information. Examples of such records include juvenile records, court-sealed documents, crime victim information, and investigation techniques and procedures. In addition, government entities may restrict access to these records to protect the privacy or safety of concerned parties. The entities will determine if releasing the record will benefit or harm the public. However, they may still disclose restricted criminal records to record subjects, legal entities, and other public agencies. Third-party requesters may access the records if:

• They are directly affected by the criminal incident
• They received a court order that permits them to view the record.
• They received a signed letter of consent from the record subject.

What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Mahoning County?

Under Ohio state laws, inquirers may take the following steps if a record custodian denies requests for criminal records:

• Start a mandamus action to get a court judgment that forces the custodian agency to disclose the requested information.
• File a complaint with the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas or the Court of Claims clerks’ offices.

In Mahoning County, record custodian agencies may deny criminal record requests for these reasons:

• The request is not specific, or not enough information is provided.
• The record no longer exists.
• The requested record is under statutory exemptions.

How to Expunge or Seal Mahoning County Criminal Records

In Mahoning County, offenders may expunge criminal records by filing a petition at the county’s court of common pleas. The petition must contain the following information:

• The record subject’s personal data
• Criminal offense and classification.
• Reasons for requesting an expungement or sealing of criminal records.

Offenders must meet the following criteria to expunge or seal criminal records in Mahoning County:

• There are no pending criminal cases.
• The offender is not convicted for crimes in these categories:
  • Non-sexual felonies
  • First- or second-degree felony convictions
  • More than one third-degree felony conviction
  • Criminal records offenses in which the victim was less than 13 years old.
• The need to expunge the record does not outweigh the government's interest in maintaining the record.
• The waiting period for expunging the criminal conviction has elapsed.

Under Section 2953.32, the waiting period for expunging criminal records includes:

• It is more than three years after completing a court sentence for one or two third-degree felonies.
• It is more than six months after an official discharge for a minor misdemeanor offense.
• It is more than ten years after serving a felony sentence.
• It is more than seven years after getting a court conviction for offenses listed under Section 2921.43.