Miami County Arrest Records

Miami County arrest records are integral to the local criminal justice system. They provide information on all arrest-related events. Individuals may get these records from the county's local law enforcement agency or other public records, such as criminal records. For example, Miami County court records may include arrest information. These records assist in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Arrests may become inevitable at times to maintain law and order. Under Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.) Chapter 2935, an arrest becomes necessary when an officer has a warrant, witnesses a crime, or has probable cause to believe an individual is committing or has committed a crime. An immediate arrest is justified when the officer has a reason to believe the individual might escape or cause harm if not arrested immediately.

Are Arrest Records Public in Miami County?

Per Ohio law, specifically the Ohio Public Records Act Section 149.43, records maintained by Miami County government agencies are open for public inspection. This extends to records in electronic format. However, certain arrest and court records are restricted in accessibility.

Restricted records are only available to authorized requesters—victims or witnesses of a crime, their legal representatives, insurance providers, or juvenile court judges who have granted permission for the information request. This limited access protects sensitive information and the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings.

The Ohio Public Records Act recognizes the need to balance openness, sensitive information protection, and the judicial system's integrity. To that purpose, the legislation establishes some exclusions that limit public access to certain records:

• Information that could compromise an active investigation, related investigation, or law enforcement proceeding
• Details that may endanger the safety of a witness or other individual, such as a home address or telephone number
• Details of investigative techniques
• Criminal offender records
• Identifying information about juveniles
• Information that could deprive someone of a fair trial
• An investigating officer's analysis, recommendations, or conclusions within a report
• Medical or similar confidential records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, the following information contained in an arrest record would be disclosed to the public:

• The arrestee’s complete name and date of birth
• The arrest date, time, and location
• The arrestee’s physical description, including gender, height, weight, scars, tattoos, and eye and hair color
• The arrestee’s occupation
• The arrestee’s booking information, including the time, date, and location
• A detailed description of the incident giving rise to the arrest
• The charges or allegations against the individual
• Outstanding warrants to which the suspect is subject
• The manner and time of release

In line with the Ohio Public Records Act, these records shall be made available for inspection and copying, subject to the limitations and exceptions outlined in the law.

Miami County Crime Rate

According to a 2017 study, law enforcement agencies in Miami County reported two murders, 71 rapes, 19 robberies, and 34 serious assaults. Property crimes include 297 burglaries, 64 motor vehicle thefts, 1,530 larcenies, and seven arsons. The Ohio Department of Public Safety's Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) provides crime data for all counties. Between 2013 and 2017, violent crime rates increased in the county while property crime decreased. Miami County's five-year crime trend shows increasing rape (82.1%) and aggravated assault (126.7%) rates. During the same time, complaints of burglary, arson, robbery, larceny, and motor vehicle theft decreased by 50.7%, 50.0%, 32.1%, 21.5%, and 15.8%, respectively.

Miami County Arrest Statistics

Miami County has 139 jails, with an average daily population of 747 inmates. In 2017, the arrest rate was 396.45 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 739.02 per 100,000 people. Over a three-year period, Miami County recorded 1,280 arrests.

Find Miami County Arrest Records

The Ohio Public Records Act gives the public access to certain criminal records held by the Miami County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office manages the county's correctional facilities and keeps records of occurrences involving the maintenance of law and order. These records contain data from the police department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Individuals who want to review public criminal records may file a written request with the Miami County Sheriff's Office.

To expedite the request, it is advisable to provide relevant details such as:

• The date, time, and location of the incident
• The names of the parties involved
• The case number
• The specific type of record being requested.

In Miami County, individuals may access state and federal resources for arrest records and inmate information. The Miami County Jail has a publicly accessible online database with daily arrest information for incarcerated individuals. In addition, VINELink is a statewide service that offers information about offenders or criminal cases in US jails and prisons.

Free Arrest Record Search in Miami County

Individuals who want access to Miami County arrest records may contact the law enforcement unit that made the arrest. They may do this by visiting the agency's location or checking its website. To facilitate the request, they should have the name of the law enforcement agency that made the arrest and its date, time, and place.

Get Miami County Criminal Records

The Miami County Sheriff's Office provides citizens with access to criminal records. During business hours, requesters may perform background checks and fingerprints at the Sheriff's office.

They may send a request to:

Miami County Incarceration Facility
2042 N. County Road 25A
Troy, OH 45373

Requestors must supply a valid driver's license, an address where the background information may be supplied, and a certified check or money order for the applicable fee. An application for a background check or a nationwide FBI background check costs $35, while a combined application that includes both background checks costs $60 if completed concurrently. The cost of ink fingerprints is $25 per card. Miami County's police departments produce incidents and other police reports.

Miami County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are commonly used interchangeably. However, they are not the same. An arrest record is a document that details a person's arrest by a law enforcement agency. It does not necessarily mean that the person was prosecuted or convicted of a crime.

A criminal record, on the other hand, is the documentation of a person's criminal past, including charges, convictions, and sentences. It may contain information like charges made against the subject and convictions, including the nature and severity of the crime. Criminal records are considered public records but may be subject to restrictions based on Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records will stay on file until the court effectively expunges or seals them. When a person is arrested and charged with a crime in Miami County, Ohio, the arrest circumstances are recorded in their criminal record at their first court appearance, known as arraignment.

The criminal record will reflect the ultimate outcome of the case. Even if the accused is eventually acquitted or the charges are dropped, the initial arrest will remain on the individual's criminal record.

Expunge Miami County Arrest Records

In Miami County, an individual may expunge an unlimited number of less serious felonies, up to two more serious felonies, one third-degree felony and one fourth-degree felony, or any number of misdemeanors, as long as none of the offenses are violent or violate Ohio Revised Code section 2921.43.

Once the expungement is completed, the record will no longer be visible when checked. The individual may simply say that they have no criminal record. This permits people to go ahead without being burdened by their previous wrongdoing as long as they have met the legal prerequisites.

However, even if the record is sealed, prosecutors, law enforcement, and other agencies may still access it. If the individual commits another offense, the sealed record may still be used against them in sentencing.

To be eligible for expungement, applicants must ensure:

• The conviction they are attempting to have expunged is not precluded by law.
• They were not subject to a mandatory term of imprisonment for the conviction.
• The statutory waiting period for the conviction they seek to expunge has lapsed.
• They do not have any outstanding or existing criminal charges pending against them.

Miami County Arrest Warrants

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against reckless arrests. Therefore, in many cases, the investigating officer will request an arrest warrant from the court. An arrest warrant is a written directive signed by a magistrate or judge permitting a law enforcement officer to arrest a suspect. Typically, law enforcement in Miami County may make arrests with or without a warrant. A warrantless arrest is justified where probable cause exists, such as when the officer witnesses the crime.

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, 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. An arrest warrant is issued only when the judge is satisfied that the evidence meets the probable cause threshold. This judicial oversight checks the power of law enforcement and prosecution to ensure arrests follow the rule of law. Once the judge issues the arrest warrant, it is entered into law enforcement databases.

An arrest warrant usually includes the following information:

• The name of the court that issued the warrant.
• The name of the defendant.
• Their physical description includes information such as height, weight, hair color, eye color, and other unique features that may help identify them.
• The criminal offense charged against the individual.
• The official issuing date of the warrant
• The signature of the judge issuing the warrant.
• The bail amount

Miami County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals in Miami County may carry out arrest warrant searches in multiple ways. When doing a Miami County warrant search, the county courthouse is the best place to start looking for an arrest warrant. Requesters may look up warrants by name or case number in most courthouses’ public search areas. Individuals who don’t know which courthouse a person has a warrant in may use a nationwide database.

Alternatively, individuals may get a record of a warrant from the Miami County police department. In that case, they must fill out a form and send it to the police department. Requesters may also use the County Sheriff’s online portal to check for active arrest warrants. The Sheriff's Office keeps a list of individuals with active warrants that are deemed high-priority. Government-issued identification may be required.

Do Miami County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Miami County, Ohio, generally do not expire. The individual must appear in court for arraignment to settle an outstanding warrant. Even if the suspect first evades law enforcement, the warrant remains current in the national database. If the subject is subsequently stopped and a warrant check is completed, law enforcement officers may detain them until they may consult with the issuing court, which may then decide the best course of action.