Marion County Arrest Records

Marion County arrest records are documents containing information on individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records are generated during an arrest and provide information on why an individual was arrested. Typically, arrest records are maintained by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies.

Arrest records are only one of several documents detailing a person’s involvement with the criminal justice system. Additional information may be available in Marion County court records, especially for arrests that go to arraignment or court trial.

Are Arrest Records Public in Marion County?

Yes. Arrest records in Marion County, Ohio, are accessible to the public under the Ohio Public Records Act. This law provides for the transparency of government records and facilitates public access to documents held by law enforcement agencies.

However, per Section §149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, certain details are exempt from public disclosure. These include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Documents containing sensitive financial information
• Medical records
• Records that identify protected witnesses
• Unexecuted arrest warrants
• Information that could compromise an active investigation
• Records containing information protected under attorney-client confidentiality
• Documents created in preparation for a trial related to an arrest.

What Do Public Arrest Records in Marion County Contain?

In Marion County, Ohio, public arrest records typically include the following information:

• Personal Details: Full name, date of birth, gender, and any aliases.
• Booking photo/mugshot
• Physical Description: This includes descriptors like height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any distinguishing features such as tattoos or scars.
• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting officer’s name and badge number; and the law enforcement agency involved.
• Charges: Details on charges filed, including the type (e.g., felony, misdemeanor) and associated statute or code.
• Booking Information: The booking date and time, and booking number
• Bail and Bond Information: Bail amount, bond type, and any associated conditions.
• Court Information: Court date, case number, assigned judge, and location of the court.

Note that while arrest records document the fact of an arrest, they do not imply guilt. An arrest merely indicates suspicion and is followed by legal processes to determine culpability.

Marion County Arrest Statistics

Marion County arrest statistics are compiled annually by the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) and made available to the public through the Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System (OIBRS).

In the 2023 crime report, Marion County recorded 1,232 arrests for adult and juvenile offenders. Property crimes and larceny-theft accounted for 39.0% and 28.7% of arrests, respectively. This pattern closely mirrors 2022, when property crimes and larceny-theft similarly led arrest categories at 44.4% and 32.7%, respectively.

Meanwhile, violent crimes represented 11.0% of arrests in 2023. The remaining 22.3% covered various other offenses, including murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, and general theft.

Finding Marion County Arrest Records

Some ways to request arrest records include:

• Marion County Sheriff’s Office: To request arrest records, individuals can contact the Sheriff's office either in person or by mail at 100 Executive Drive, Marion, OH 43302. Additionally, electronic requests can be submitted through the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Records Request Portal.
• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC): Provides an online inmate search tool for information about currently detained individuals.
• Federal Resources: The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

When requesting an arrest record, it is necessary to provide the individual’s full name, date of birth (if known), and incident details (e.g., arrest date or location).

Free Arrest Record Search in Marion County

Public access to arrest records in Marion County is free of charge under Ohio’s public records law. However, Marion County law enforcement agencies charge a nominal fee of $0.05 per page to print copies.

Several third-party websites also provide free access to public arrest records. These service providers are not affiliated with the Ohio State or Marion County government. Third-party sources aggregate arrest records from several sources. As such, the reliability of records obtained from these sources varies. Users should note that search results may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated. Furthermore, only basic information is free. Most third-party service providers charge a fee for access to detailed information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Unless they are sealed or expunged, an arrest in Marion County will stay on record unless an expungement is pursued.

Expunging Marion County Arrest Records

Under Section 2953 of the Ohio Revised Code, individuals may have certain criminal records sealed through a process known as expungement. Expungement allows for the legal concealment of past criminal convictions from public view, treating the conviction as though it never occurred.

Step 1: Determining Eligibility

Eligibility is the first and most crucial step in the expungement process. Not all convictions are eligible for expungement, and Ohio law specifies the requirements that must be met:

• The individual seeking expungement must have no pending criminal charges. Any ongoing case could disqualify the petitioner.
• Ohio law restricts the number and type of convictions that can be expunged. A person may expunge one felony and one misdemeanor or two misdemeanors.
• Only certain types of offenses are eligible for expungement. Serious felonies, including certain crimes involving children, may not be eligible to have their records sealed.
• Ohio law prohibits expungement for convictions that carry compulsory incarceration as part of sentencing.
• A statutory waiting period must have passed since the completion of the sentence, including any probation or community service. The waiting period varies based on the nature of the conviction. Dismissed charges or acquittals are eligible for immediate expungement.

Step 2: Application Process

Once eligibility is confirmed, the individual must apply for expungement through the Marion County Clerk of Courts. The process includes:

• Obtaining expungement forms from the Clerk’s Office or online from the Clerk’s website.
• Filing the forms and submitting them to the Clerk of Courts along with any necessary documentation, such as proof of sentence completion, evidence of rehabilitation, or letters of recommendation. Additionally, there is a non-refundable $50 filing fee for processing expungement applications.
• The court may require a background check, which ensures there are no new convictions or pending charges that would impact eligibility. This is often conducted as part of the initial review process.

Step 3: Court Review and Hearing

Following application submission, a judge will review the expungement petition. This step generally includes evaluation of criminal history, consideration of rehabilitation, and ensuring the petitioner does not pose a risk to society.

A formal hearing may be scheduled where the petitioner can make a case for why the expungement should be granted. The prosecuting attorney may also attend and have the right to support or contest the petition.

Step 4: Outcome of Expungement

After reviewing the application and hearing any arguments, the judge will make a decision. If approved, the record is sealed, effectively removing it from public view. If denied, the individual may inquire about the reasons for denial and seek legal advice to explore possible next steps. In some cases, the applicant may be eligible to reapply after addressing the issues that led to the denial.

Step 5: Implications and Exceptions

After expungement is granted, it can take about two to four months to process. Expunged records may still be accessed by law enforcement and certain sectors, though individuals can legally state they have no criminal records.

Marion County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement to arrest a crime suspect. In Marion County, warrants are generally issued based on probable cause, often following an affidavit by law enforcement or a citizen complaint (Section 2933.21; Section 2933.22; Section 2933.02 of the Ohio Revised Code).

Arrest warrants typically contain:

• The suspect’s name and identifying details
• A description of the alleged offense
• Supporting evidence
• Issuing date
• The issuing judge’s signature.

Marion County residents can check for active arrest warrants by contacting the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

100 Executive Drive
Marion, Ohio 43302
Phone: (740) 382-8244
Email: sheriff@marioncountyohio.gov.

Do Marion County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants do not expire in Ohio and remain active until the individual is apprehended, voluntarily surrenders, or the court recalls the warrant. While warrants for minor offenses may receive less enforcement priority, they remain active and can be executed at any time. If an individual learns of an outstanding warrant, they can take steps to address it, such as contacting an attorney to petition the court to withdraw the warrant.