Wayne County Arrest Records

Wayne County arrest records contain information on all arrest-related events. Requesters typically obtain such records from the county's local law enforcement agencies or other public documents like criminal records. For example, Wayne County court records may contain arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wayne County?

The Ohio Public Records Act (OPRA) grants the general public the right to view, inspect, or copy information from any public office in the state while restricting certain records from disclosure. Consequently, anyone can request arrest records created and stored by law enforcement agencies carrying out the "public's business" unless otherwise stated by the OPRA and other statutes.

These exemptions include:

1. Records that could identify uncharged suspects and disclose confidential information, witnesses, or specific investigative techniques.
2. Details that might threaten the lives or safety of law enforcement officers, victims, witnesses, or confidential informants.
3. Social security, residence phone, bank account, debit/credit card, and emergency phone numbers.
4. Juvenile records.
5. Depictions of victims that a reasonable person would find offensive or distasteful.
6. Images showing peace officers performing undercover or plain clothes assignments.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The Ohio Open Records Act makes the following components of an arrest record available to the public:

• The name of the individual apprehended
• Date of arrest
• The place of the arrest
• The description of the arrested person
• The arresting agency
• Specific charges or offenses for which the individual was arrested
• Bond or bail information, if applicable
• A photograph taken at the time of booking.
• The court in which the case will be or was heard
• Any terms of release imposed by the court

Wayne County Crime Rate

According to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office reported 49 violent crimes in 2022 and 44 incidents the previous year. This figure translates to an 11.36% increase in all violent crimes from 2021 and 2022. On the other hand, total property crimes decreased from 721 incidents in 2021 to 645 in 2022, showing a 10.54% decrease in all property crimes.

A breakdown of all violent crimes in 2022 revealed that aggravated assault was the most prevalent violent crime, with 75.51% (12 cases). No homicide or robbery crimes were reported during the period.

Regarding property crimes, larceny theft was the most frequently reported form, accounting for 68.37% of the total (441 cases). Burglary and motor vehicle larceny comprised 23.41% (151 cases) and 7.75% (50 cases), respectively, while arson accounted for 0.47% (3 cases).

Wayne County Arrest Statistics

According to an Annual Report from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, 3,125 inmates were incarcerated at the County Jail in 2023. A breakdown of the degree of offenses inmates were detained for showed that 1,201 were jailed for felonies, 1,919 for misdemeanors, and five for other crimes.

The gender distribution of crimes for which inmates were imprisoned showed that more males (941 inmates) were detained for felonies than females (259 inmates). Likewise, more males (1,411 inmates) were jailed for misdemeanors than females (506).

Find Wayne County Arrest Records

Requesters can find arrest records in Wayne County by using the state and federal resources listed below:

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provides an online inmate search service, allowing users to locate offenders serving time in a state prison. Such inmates may be under department monitoring or have been judicially released. To refine their results, requesters can search by name, county, hearing date, and other parameters.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Record seekers can use the BOP Inmate Locator tool to find federal inmates detained from 1982 to the present. On the portal, they can search by name or BOP register number.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): Anyone looking for historical federal jail records (before 1982) may contact NARA. They provide an index of inmates previously imprisoned in various federal prisons.

To order copies of convicts' records from NARA archives, the requester should provide information such as the inmate's full name and any middle names or initials since this can help narrow the search. Other details like the inmate's date of birth or approximate age at the time of incarceration, inmate's race, and estimated days in prison are also important facts that can help with the search procedure.

Free Arrest Record Search in Wayne County

Given that most arrests and bookings occur locally, requesters may wish to contact police departments and precincts with jurisdiction within Wayne County, including the County Sheriff's Office. However, requesters should note that the quantity of arrest data they can access under the state's Open Records Act is restricted.

Requesters of Wayne County arrest records can access the following information when they submit record requests online, by email, fax, or through a call:

• Arrestee's name
• Arrest date
• Arrest Location
• The arresting agency
• Charges against the suspect or offenses for which the individual was arrested
• Bond or bail information, if applicable
• Mugshots
• The court where the case will be or was heard.
• The court imposed terms of release.

Alternatively, individuals looking for free arrest records in the county may visit the Records Department of the County Sheriff’s Office in person to inquire about such documents. The Office is located at:

201 W. North Street
Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: (330) 287-5750
Records Department
Contact Information:
Phone: (330) 287-5709
FAX: (330) 287-5717
Email: records@wcsohio.org

Please note that while arrest records can be inspected free of charge, making copies may attract a fee, as stipulated by law.

Get Wayne County Criminal Records

Criminal records, frequently called "criminal history" or "rap sheets," are official documents that comprehensively account for an individual's interactions with the legal system. These records typically contain information regarding arrests, allegations, convictions, and sentences.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office website provides access to the service for individuals interested in conducting criminal history checks in Wayne County.

Applicants must pay in advance and schedule an appointment to secure their appointment at the Sheriff's Office.

The cost of fingerprinting is based on the complexity of the background check service required:

• Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI): $35.00
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): $44.00
• BCI & FBI: $59.00 Ink Fingerprint Cards: $35.00 for two cards, with an additional $5.00 per card.

The Sheriff's Office schedules fingerprinting appointments on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To obtain additional information, applicants may reach out to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at:

201 W. North Street,
Wooster, Ohio 44691
Phone: (330) 287-5752

Wayne County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While the terms "arrest records" and "criminal records" are frequently used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes and contain a variety of information.

Law enforcement officials usually create arrest records after an individual has been detained. These records typically consist of the arrestee's physical description, the booking photograph, the arresting officer, witnesses, and the circumstances of the incident. They are generally available from the sheriff's office.

Law enforcement agencies frequently utilize arrest records during investigations and by employers undertaking exploratory background checks.

In contrast, criminal records are detailed legal documents that explain an individual's criminal history. These documents encompass arrest and conviction reports, as well as details on arrest warrants, arrests, third-party complaints, convictions, and even non-prosecuted cases. In essence, a criminal record offers a comprehensive account of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from the moment of arrest to the ultimate resolution of the case.

Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies routinely implement criminal records as part of their background investigations. In criminal prosecutions, law enforcement agencies also employ them to identify suspects and determine sentencing.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless expunged, a person's arrest record in Ohio will always be accessible. Even if substantial time has passed since the arrest, the individual will still be subject to the public record except if they delete it.

Expunge Wayne County Arrest Records

Eligibility Requirements

To expunge or seal arrest records in Ohio, the applicant must first decide whether their offense qualifies. Crimes like sexual assault, aggravated murder, and kidnapping do not qualify for sealing or expungement. Besides, the applicant must go through a waiting period, which varies according to the severity of the offense. For instance, minor transgressions have a six-month waiting period after discharge, while fourth—or fifth-degree felonies call for eleven years.

Process for Expungement, Removal, or Sealing

The applicant can start the process once their qualification has been determined. First, they must complete any prison sentence, probation, or parole conditions and pay all fines or fees related to the conviction.

Next, the candidate must present a formal request to the court that heard their case. This request must comprise all requisite documents and personal information, including name, date of birth, and details of the offense. Subsequently, the court will evaluate the application to confirm that all requirements have been met.

If authorized, the court will grant an order sealing or expunging the records. This means that the records will no longer be accessible to the public, and the concerned persons can legally claim they have no criminal record for the expunged offense.

Wayne County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal order granted by a judge or magistrate that gives law enforcement agents the authority to take into custody an individual accused of committing a crime.

In Wayne County, the execution of arrest warrants typically involves the following steps:

• First, peace officers have to present an affidavit under oath detailing the facts that support reasonable grounds for believing the concerned person committed a crime.
• Next, a judge evaluates the affidavit to see if there is sufficient evidence to issue the warrant.
• If there is probable cause, the judge grants the arrest warrant.

In Wayne County, a court judge typically issues an arrest warrant when there is sufficient evidence that someone has committed a crime, failed to appear for their scheduled court appearance, or when enough evidence exists to support an ongoing investigation.

Wayne County arrest warrants usually comprise information like the defendant's name or description, the details of the allegations, the name of the court granting the order of arrest, and the relevant law.

Wayne County Arrest Warrant Search

Interested persons searching for active warrants in Wayne County should explore the following options:

Wayne County Sheriff’s Office: Searchers can physically visit the Sheriff’s Office to look for warrants handed down by local law enforcement agencies and signed by a judge.

Wayne County Clerk of Courts: The Wayne County Clerk of Courts' website allows requesters to look up active warrants in the county's courts. Users can access the case records online by entering a name, case number, citation number, or warrant number.

Do Wayne County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Wayne County arrest warrants usually do not expire. They remain active until the individual mentioned in the warrant is taken into custody or the court revokes the warrant. In other words, a Wayne County arrest warrant will not expire unless the subject of the warrant appears in court, passes away, or a judge quashes the warrant.