Muskingum County Arrest Records

According to the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure, arrests in Muskingum County are allowed when there is probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. Arrests may occur with or without a warrant, depending on the circumstances. Law enforcement officers are empowered to make arrests based on their observations, reports from witnesses, or existing warrants issued by the court.

The Muskingum County Sheriff's Office and local police departments are responsible for generating arrest records. These records include detailed information about the arrest, such as the charges, the time and location of the arrest, and personal information about the individual arrested. Arrest records and Muskingum County court records are some of the documents created when a person interacts with the criminal justice system.

Muskingum County Court Records provide a comprehensive view of an individual's interactions with the legal system, linking arrest records with broader public records such as court proceedings, dispositions, and criminal history. These records are vital for legal professionals, researchers, and the general public in understanding the legal landscape and ensuring accountability within the justice system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Muskingum County?

Yes. In Muskingum County, Ohio, arrest records are generally considered public records according to state law. The Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules § 149.43 mandates that government records be accessible to the public unless they are specifically exempted by law. This means that most arrest records can be viewed and obtained by the public.

However, certain types of information within arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions typically include:

• Personal information that could jeopardize an individual's privacy, such as Social Security numbers and home addresses.
• Information that could interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution.
• Details that could endanger the safety of individuals involved, including victims, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel.
• Records that are sealed by court order, which may occur in cases involving juvenile offenders or when individuals successfully petition for record sealing under specific conditions.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Ohio typically contain comprehensive information about the arrestee and the circumstances of their arrest. These records provide transparency and accountability in the criminal justice process. The following details are commonly found in public arrest records:

Arrestee's Personal Information and Description

• Full Name: The complete legal name of the individual arrested.
• Race: The racial identification of the arrestee.
• Gender: The gender of the arrestee.
• Date of Birth or Age: The birthdate or current age of the individual.
• Mugshot: A photograph taken at the time of arrest.
• Address: The residential address of the arrestee.

Arrest Information

• Date: The specific date on which the arrest occurred.
• Time: The exact time the arrest took place.
• Location: The place where the arrest was made.
• Arresting Agency and Officer's Information: Details about the law enforcement agency that made the arrest and the officer(s) involved.

Charge Details

• Description: A detailed description of the charges brought against the individual.
• Type: The type of charges, such as felony, misdemeanor, or infraction.
• Level: The severity level of the charges, indicating whether they are first-degree, second-degree, etc.

Muskingum County Crime Rate

Per the 2022 crime statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting, Muskingum County recorded 559 crimes in 2022. Property crimes were the most reported offenses, constituting 64.6% (361) of the crime total, while violent crimes made up 11.8% (66) of all offenses.

The most prevalent offenses within the property crimes category were larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary. Larceny theft accounted for 71.4% (258) of all property crimes, followed by burglary at 20.2% (73) and motto vehicle theft at 6.9% (25). Meanwhile, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault were the top three violent crimes. Aggravated assault made up 66.7% (44) of the violent crime total, followed by rape at 27.3% (18) and robbery at 6.1% (4).

Muskingum County Arrest Statistics

Per the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program, Muskingum County recorded 293 arrests in 2022. The highest arrest category was "all other offenses (except traffic)," at 34.8% (102 arrests). This is followed by "simple assault," at 25.3% (74 arrests), drug abuse violations (24), larceny (22), and driving under the influence (20).

Find Muskingum County Arrest Records

The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office is the primary source of arrest records. Interested persons can obtain arrest records from this custodian by visiting, sending a mail request, or searching the agency’s online database.

Individuals seeking arrest records in Muskingum County can utilize the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) Offender Search to locate offenders currently arrested and incarcerated in Ohio prisons. They may search for arrests made in Muskingum County or of a Muskingum County resident by last name alone or by both first and last names.

Free Arrest Record Search in Muskingum County

Individuals can utilize free resources to search for arrest records in Muskingum County through the following methods:

• Muskingum Sheriff’s Office: The Muskingum Sheriff’s Office maintains an inmate registry at no cost. The registry includes names, age, gender, and booking date of inmates. It is updated daily and can be accessed with a device that has a PDF reader application.
• Third-Party Online Resources: Third-party websites provide additional options for accessing arrest records in Muskingum County. These platforms typically offer user-friendly interfaces and allow users to search for arrest records by name, or other relevant criteria. They provide convenience, efficiency, and advanced search filters. However, third-party sites may only sometimes have the most up-to-date information compared to official databases and may require payment for detailed records or additional features. Users should also review the privacy policies and data security measures of these sites to ensure the protection of sensitive information.

Get Muskingum County Criminal Records

Muskingum County criminal records contain the criminal activities and convictions of individuals within the county, including arrest records, charges, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences. These records are managed by the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.

To access criminal records from the Sheriff’s Office, requesters must acquire a 10-print ink rolled fingerprint card, available for purchase at $15 from:

Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office
1840 East Pike
Zanesville, OH 43701
Phone: (740) 452-3637
Fax: (740) 455-7133

The card and payment receipt must then be taken to the Muskingum County Jail on 4th Street for processing. Payment options include credit/debit cards, cash, or money orders (with a 3% fee for credit card payments). A local background check, which only includes Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office jail booking records and not the final disposition or complete criminal record, costs $5. For this check, individuals must provide a photo ID or a combination of birth certificate and social security card. If these are not available, a name check will be conducted.

Muskingum County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Muskingum County, criminal records and arrest records serve different purposes and contain distinct types of information. Arrest records in Muskingum County document instances when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement. These records typically include details of the arrest but do not indicate whether the individual was charged or convicted of a crime; they simply record that an arrest took place.

Criminal records, on the other hand, provide a more comprehensive account of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records encompass details about the criminal activities and convictions of individuals, including arrest records, charges filed, prosecutions, court proceedings, convictions, and sentences. Criminal records are managed by law enforcement agencies such as the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Arrest records may remain on a person's record for life as there is no specific timeframe outlined in Ohio state statutes. However, Muskingum County law enforcement follows their own record retention schedules. For specific information on the retention schedule for different types of arrest records, individuals can contact the Records Bureau at the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.

1840 East Pike
Zanesville, OH 43701
Phone: (740) 452-3637
Fax: (740) 455-7924
Email: records@muskingumcounty.org.

Expunge Muskingum County Arrest Records

In Muskingum County, individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged, depending on the circumstances of the arrest and any subsequent legal proceedings. The distinction between sealing and expunging records lies in whether the record is removed from public view or destroyed entirely.

For arrests where no charges were filed, individuals can request to have their record sealed by submitting a written letter to the chief of police in the community where the arrest occurred. However, if the individual was arrested and later convicted, they must wait for a specified period, known as the "expungement waiting period," before applying for expungement.

According to ORC § 2953.32, the waiting period for a felony conviction is three (3) years after the case's termination, while for a misdemeanor conviction, it's one (1) year. If a grand jury issues no charges following an arrest, the waiting period is two (2) years from the date the bill was reported. However, there's no waiting period for arrests resulting in acquittal, and individuals can file for expungement after their trial concludes.

To start the expungement process, an individual files a petition with the court where they were prosecuted, along with a sealing application form and required filing fee payment. The sealing application form can be obtained from the court website or clerk's office. The filing fee is typically under $50, but cases dismissed or resulting in a not guilty verdict incur no filing cost. If unable to pay the fee, a petitioner may submit a "Poverty Affidavit" form. After filing, a hearing date is set within 45 to 90 days. If approved by a judge, it may take up to six (6) months for the court and other agencies to seal the record.

Certain convictions, including first and second-degree felonies, offenses involving victims under 13, and certain third-degree felonies, are generally ineligible for expungement under ORC § 2953.32, meaning associated arrest records cannot be removed.

Muskingum County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Muskingum County is a formal document issued by a judge, magistrate, clerk of court, or a court official, authorizing peace officers to arrest a suspect (Ohio Rev. Code § 2935.08). The issuance of arrest warrants is based on probable cause, which means there must be enough facts to justify the arrest of the suspect.

In Muskingum County, an arrest warrant is issued after an officer files an affidavit or complaint with the court. This affidavit must establish probable cause to believe that a crime has occurred and that the subject of the warrant committed it. A judicial officer, upon reviewing the affidavit and finding reasonable grounds, will issue the arrest warrant. This warrant can then be executed or served by the affiant officer or any police officer authorized by law.

An arrest warrant issued in Muskingum County contains specific information to clearly identify the individual and justify the arrest.

• Defendant's Name: The first name and last name of the defendant, along with any recent changes or aliases. If the name is unknown, any other name or description that reasonably identifies the accused.
• Offense Description: A clear description of the alleged offense, including relevant statutes or ordinance numbers.
• Appearance Information: Whether the warrant was issued before the accused appeared or was scheduled to appear. If issued after a failure to appear, it will specify if the individual is to post bail or be held without bail until brought before the court.
• Relevant Statutes: The numerical designation of the relevant statute or ordinance.

Muskingum County Arrest Warrant Search

Generally, records of unexecuted arrest warrants are not available to the public. Even for executed warrants, the Sheriff’s Office will only make it available to requestors if releasing the record will not compromise active criminal investigations. Generally, to find arrest warrants, the searcher must know the subject's full name and date of birth or age.

Do Muskingum County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Generally, arrest warrants in Muskingum County do not expire. An Ohio warrant remains active until it is executed, the subject dies, or the court quashes or recalls the warrant. This means that if an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant, it remains valid indefinitely until one of these conditions is met.