Sandusky County Arrest Records

Sandusky County arrest records are official documentation of the arrests made within Sandusky County, Ohio. These records are created when law enforcement officers apprehend and detain an individual in response to a criminal offense or suspected criminal activity. During the arrest process, officers collect details about the suspect and the incident, which are documented to establish a formal record. This record includes information about the criminal offense, the individual's identity, the date and location of arrest, the arresting officer, and other details relevant to the arrest.

In Sandusky County, police or law enforcement officers make arrests when sufficient suspicion or evidence indicates that an individual has committed a criminal offense or violated federal or state criminal laws (Ohio Rev. Code Section 2935.01). Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 2935.03), law enforcement officers can arrest individuals without warrants if a crime is committed in their presence or if there is probable cause to believe the person in question has committed a felony.

The Sandusky County Sheriff's Office is responsible for creating and maintaining arrest records in the county. In addition, local police departments within the county, such as those in Fremont or Clyde, are also responsible for creating arrest records for incidents within their jurisdictions. After an arrest, the arresting agency documents the details in a record.

Sandusky County court records are generally part of other criminal justice records, including Sandusky County court records and criminal history records from the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

Are Arrest Records Public in Sandusky County?

Yes. Arrest records are considered public records in Sandusky County under the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This law mandates that most public records, including arrest records, be publicly accessible. Under this law, any interested party can request access to arrest records to obtain information about persons apprehended by law enforcement agencies in Sandusky County.

Although arrest records are generally public, certain exemptions under Ohio law restrict specific types of information from public access. Exemptions typically include:

• Juvenile arrest records (Ohio Revised Code § 2151.421)
• Details of arrests related to active investigations whose release could compromise the investigation (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2))
• Sealed or expunged records under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 for sealing and § 2953.52 for expungement
• Certain sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, driver's licenses, medical records, etc.
• Any information that identifies victims and witnesses.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A publicly available Sandusky County arrest record contains the following information:

• The arrested person's name, date of birth, and physical description
• Details of the arrest, such as the date, time, and location
• The nature and description of the alleged offense(s)
• Information on any charges filed at the time of arrest
• The arresting officer and agency information
• Any bond or bail conditions (if applicable)
• Additional notes or relevant details from the incident report
• Mugshots taken during booking
• Booking number.

Sandusky County Arrest Statistics

Based on the data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, a total of 189 arrests were recorded for Sandusky County in 2023: 117 arrests by the Fremont Police Department and 72 by the Woodville Police Department. No arrest data was reported for other police departments or the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office.

Find Sandusky County Arrest Records

Sandusky County arrest records are considered public information and available to anyone wishing to access them. To obtain these records, individuals can visit the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office during business hours, Monday through Friday, or submit requests via email. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office provides a "current inmate list," which includes information on individuals arrested and currently detained for various offenses by the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office.

Sandusky County Sheriff's Office
2323 Countryside Drive
Fremont, Ohio 43420
Phone: (419) 332-2613

Requests can also be directed to police departments within the county to access arrest records for incidents handled within their respective jurisdictions. For example, individuals can contact the Fremont Police Department's Records Clerk to view, inspect, or obtain copies of their arrest records at the following address:

Records Clerk
Fremont City Police Department
1141 West State Street
Fremont, Ohio 43420
Phone: (419) 334-5919
Email: records@fremontohio.org.

To request or obtain arrest information on Sandusky County residents arrested by state or federal law enforcement agencies, identify the appropriate state or federal agency and reach out directly for arrest information. Alternatively, contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The BCI maintains Ohio's Central Repository for criminal history records, which includes arrest records.

Identification Division
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1560 State Route 56 Southwest
P.O. Box 365
London, OH 43140
Phone: (855) 224-6446

Additionally, record seekers may use the FBI's federal inmate locator to find information on federal arrests and incarceration.

Free Arrest Record Search in Sandusky County

Individuals seeking free arrest records can contact the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office or local police departments, such as the Fremont Police Department and Woodville Police Department. When requesting a person's arrest record, requesting individuals should provide basic details, such as the arrested person's name and the arrest date. While access to view or inspect public records is free, especially through official portals such as the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office "Current Inmate List," fees are typically charged if copies of arrest records are needed.

Alternatively, third-party websites may provide access to arrest records at no cost. These sites often compile public records from various sources, making it easier for individuals to search for and obtain information about arrests across multiple jurisdictions. However, these sites are not affiliated with any official agency. As such, any arrest record they provide may not always be complete or accurate. Additionally, they may charge fees for access to detailed arrest records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. In Ohio, arrests remain on record permanently unless sealed or expunged. To request the sealing or expungement of an arrest record, individuals with arrest records must petition the court after a specified waiting period, which varies depending on the charge. For misdemeanor charges, expungement is possible within two or five years, based on the specific offense.

Expunge Sandusky County Arrest Records

Expungement involves clearing or erasing a person's criminal or arrest records. In Ohio, this process is governed by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2953.31, which outlines the eligibility for expungement. Individuals can file for expungement or record sealing if they:

• Were charged but not convicted
• Have five or fewer felony convictions
• Have no pending criminal charges
• And have completed the required waiting period since their conviction and sentencing. For misdemeanors, the waiting period is one year, while those with one, two, or more felonies must wait three, four, or five years, respectively.

How to file an expungement

To initiate an expungement, individuals must file a petition with the court where the original charges were brought. Felony petitions typically go to the Sandusky County Court of Common Pleas, while misdemeanor petitions go to local district or municipal courts. Petitioners should visit the appropriate court to obtain their criminal history and the expungement application form. With the guidance of an attorney, the petitioner should complete and submit the form requesting either expungement or record sealing.

Filing is free for dismissed or non-conviction cases, but sealing a felony or misdemeanor costs $50. Individuals unable to pay can request a fee waiver from the court clerk.

Once the application is submitted, the court will investigate the petitioner's eligibility, notify the petitioner if a hearing is needed, and allow prosecutors to present any objections to the expungement request. Ultimately, the judge will decide whether to approve the expungement or sealing. If granted, the judge signs an order of expungement and sealing, which directs relevant agencies to expunge or seal the records.

However, if an expungement petition is denied, the individual must wait at least one year before reapplying. Also, while expunged records are removed from public access, they remain available to law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies.

Sandusky County Arrest Warrants

A Sandusky County arrest warrant is a legal order issued by a judge or magistrate granting law enforcement officers the authority to apprehend and detain an individual. Arrest warrants are typically issued when there is probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime based on evidence presented to a judge. This probable cause may arise from investigations, witness statements, or other forms of evidence. Warrants are also issued if someone fails to appear in court, violates probation, or fails to comply with a court order.

Arrest warrants in Ohio, including Sandusky County, are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2935.10, which outlines the requirements and procedures for issuing an arrest warrant. According to the law, probable cause must exist, and the judge or magistrate must be convinced that the evidence supports a reasonable belief of criminal offenses by the individual in question.

When a Sandusky County arrest warrant is issued, the warrant is entered into local, state, and sometimes national law enforcement databases, notifying officers that the individual is wanted for arrest. Law enforcement officers may actively seek out the individual named in the warrant, which can involve visiting their home, workplace, or other known locations. Once located, officers have the legal authority to apprehend the individual.

A Sandusky County arrest warrant typically includes the following:

• The accused's full name and description.
• A description of the alleged offense.
• The date the warrant was issued.
• The judge's or magistrate's signature.
• A clear directive authorizing law enforcement officers to take the individual into custody.

Do Sandusky County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. A Sandusky arrest warrant remains valid once it is issued until it is executed (the person is arrested), canceled by the court, or the subject of the warrant dies. Law enforcement officers can arrest the individual named in the warrant at any time unless the court quashes the warrant, the subject dies, or the charges are dropped or dismissed. A judge may withdraw or quash a warrant if it's no longer necessary or if new evidence affects the original justification for the warrant.