Washington County Arrest Records

In Washington, an individual can be arrested when there is probable cause to believe they intend to, are in the process of, or have already committed a misdemeanor or felony. Upon arrest, the individual will either be released after posting bail or brought before a judge, depending on the gravity of the crime committed.

Washington arrest records are compiled from information gathered during the booking process after an arrest. Booking documents the cause of arrest, the suspected offender's personal information, and other important information. These arrest records are essential components of the Washington County court records and criminal records. As a result, they can be utilized for background checks and legal proceedings.

Typically, the arresting police agency creates and maintains records of the arrests they execute.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Yes. Per Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, a "public record" encompasses a broad range of governmental documents, including the Washington County arrest records. Generally, records classified as public are accessible to interested members of the public.

Despite the inclusion of arrest records in the category of public records, certain records or aspects of arrest records do not fall under this classification and are, therefore, considered confidential. These confidential records include:

• Records that are designated confidential by another law, regulation, or existing court order, such as the arrest records of minors
• Sealed or expunged records
• Sensitive components of an arrest record, such as information whose release could endanger a person's life

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Below is a general outline of the information contained in a public Washington arrest record:

• Arrestee's name, date of birth, height, weight, eye and hair color, race, hair length, complexion
• Aliases, if any
• Inmate information (marital status, state ID, place of birth, booking number)
• Bond information
• Details of the crime committed

Washington County Arrest Statistics

Ohio does not have a mandatory crime or arrest reporting system. Hence, there is no publicly available online platform for accessing arrest statistics in Washington County. However, residents can directly visit the arresting agency to conduct inquiries.

One can also access the FBI's Crime Data Explorer for statistics that Washington County law enforcement departments reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Individuals looking for an arrest record in Washington County have several options available to them. Public arrest records may be accessible online, by mail, or in person based on the requester's preference and the agency that manages the records.

For instance, someone searching for a record of someone arrested and detained at the county level can browse the Sheriff's website to view the list of in-custody inmates or those previously detained. Using an arrestee's name, one can easily navigate the database.

On a state level, researchers can uncover records about those committed to state prisons by accessing the Offender Search tool provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC).

For federal-level arrest records, inquiries can be directed to the federal arresting agency. The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator can also be used to locate persons in federal custody.

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

No inspection fees may be charged to access public arrest records from a law enforcement agency in Washington County, Ohio. However, requesters may be charged a nominal amount to obtain a copy of a record.

Individuals may also obtain free arrest records from private aggregate websites offering this service. Generally, individuals can conduct a search on a third-party site by providing a first and last name

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Washington County, a person's arrest record remains a permanent part of their criminal record indefinitely, particularly for arrests resulting in a conviction. Unless a request is made and approved to seal or expunge the record, the record may be visible upon a background check.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

Sealing or expunging an arrest record renders it inaccessible to the public, protecting individuals from disclosing certain past offenses. While a sealed record may still be retrievable by specific authorized individuals, an expunged record is effectively destroyed and becomes unattainable by anyone.

Section 2953 of the Ohio Revised Code describes the process of sealing or expunging arrest or criminal records. These laws specify the types of arrest records that can be expunged or sealed, taking into consideration factors like whether the individual was acquitted, the nature and severity of the crime, and the time elapsed since the completion of any sentences. Generally, arrest records related to minors and minor misdemeanors are more readily sealed or expunged than those related to adults or major felonies, especially in cases involving convictions.

Individuals eligible for record expungement or sealing can initiate the process by completing the requisite forms and providing all necessary information, including copies of the arrest record to be sealed or expunged. A fee of $100 is typically required, and the completed form should be submitted to the court that handled the case. Upon approval of the petition, the specified record will be either sealed or expunged, depending on the nature of the request.

Individuals who want to seal or expunge a record can inquire at the clerk of the court's office where their case was handled for more details about the record relief process.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

According to Section 2941.36 of the Ohio Revised Code, an arrest warrant is issued upon a court order after an indictment or affidavit is submitted to a court. An arrest warrant empowers a law enforcement officer to apprehend an individual if there is reasonable suspicion of their involvement in criminal activities. This suspicion is typically supported by evidence and an affidavit that must be presented to a judge for consideration of the warrant's issuance.

When an arrest warrant is granted in Washington, it signifies that the individual named in the document should be arrested and brought before a judge. Key details included in a warrant are the name of the individual subject to the warrant, the issuing officer and court, the date of the warrant's issuance, and the rationale for the warrant's issuance.

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Typically, an arrest warrant issued in Washington County does not have an expiration date. In other words, each subject of an arrest warrant remains susceptible to an arrest wherever they may be found by law enforcement. However, Ohio Revised Code § 2935.10 allows a court to recall a misdemeanor arrest warrant if it is not executed within two years from its issue.