Search Hamilton Court Records

HamiltonCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on HamiltonCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

  1. Hamilton County Court
  2. Hamilton County Arrest Records

Hamilton County, Ohio Arrest Records

Police officers record every arrest they make in Hamilton County to maintain accurate criminal records and ensure legal accountability. They may maintain arrest records online or on paper, but they must make them public under the Ohio Public Records Act. Anyone may inspect or copy an arrest record at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office or at any local police department, including the Cincinnati Police Department and the Colerain Police Department.

Individuals seeking to conduct a broader search of arrest records may submit a request for criminal offender information to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This information consists of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, and any disposition. Criminal offender information is governed by the Ohio Revised Code §109.571.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Hamilton, Ohio?

Yes. Arrest records are public information under the Ohio Public Records Act. The Act authorizes law enforcement agencies to release arrest records to residents and non-residents. Upon request, the records staff will promptly make these records available to the requester during business hours. Copies of arrest records may attract a small copy fee. 

However, a records staff member may deny a request if the record is confidential under the Ohio Public Records Act or other Ohio laws.

What Do Public Hamilton County Arrest Records Contain?

Hamilton County arrest records often contain the following information:

  • Arrestee's full name, sex, and race
  • Arrest date and time
  • Booking number and date
  • Arresting agency/officer
  • Arrest charges
  • Bond amount

However, certain records remain confidential to the public. Examples include

  • Investigative records
  • Arrest records belonging to a minor
  • Medical records of an arrested person
  • Any confidential portion of a body-worn or dashboard camera recording
  • Any record whose release would reveal the identity of a suspect who has been arrested but has not been charged with a crime
  • Any record whose release would reveal the identity of a confidential source or witness, or endanger the physical safety of a victim, witness, or police officer

Hamilton County, Ohio Arrest Search

One way to view a Hamilton County arrest record through the state or federal bodies is to seek a criminal records check from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. State checks are fingerprint-supported, cost a fee (payable by the requester), and are provided only to authorized entities, like the subject of the record.

For federal checks, the Identity History Summary Check provided by the FBI is a great option. Individuals seeking to view their nationwide criminal records, including reported Hamilton County arrests, can pay $18 to the FBI for a record check. Requests can be made online, via mail, or through an approved channeler.

Hamilton County Inmate Locator

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office website is the best place to start when looking for someone who has been arrested recently. The agency provides an Inmate Search portal that displays arrest information for inmates at the Hamilton County Justice Center, the county's main jail. The search criteria include last name or first name. 

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

1000 Sycamore Street 

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: (513) 946-6400

Active Warrant Search in Hamilton County

A Hamilton County arrest warrant is a legal document commanding a peace officer to make an arrest. Per OH Rev Code §2935.08, this warrant is issued only when a peace officer files a complaint or affidavit demonstrating probable cause to believe that a person has committed an offense. A police officer may execute an arrest warrant in any county, even if it is issued by a judge in Hamilton County (OH Rev Code §2935.02). A Hamilton County arrest warrant contains the following information (OH Rev Code §2935.18):

  • The issuing date and the name of the county where it was issued
  • The name of the person to be arrested, or a specific description of the person if the name is unknown
  • A description of the offense and a command to make an arrest
  • The judge's office and signature

After executing the arrest warrant, the officer must file it with the issuing court.

The Ohio Public Records Act authorizes the public disclosure of warrant information. Therefore, anyone may contact the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office by phone at (513) 946-6400 or in person to inquire about active warrants. Requesters will be asked to provide a name or a date of birth for the search. Note that active, unexecuted warrants may have restricted access.

Agency / Resource

Purpose

Search Methods

Notes

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

Maintains and serves warrants

Phone and in person

In-person searches come with the risk of immediate arrest for outstanding warrants

Hamilton County Courts

Issue warrants 

Online, via mail, in person

For instance, the Hamilton County Records Search portal can be used to search court dockets online. Information about a warrant's issue may be listed in a case's events & activities 

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Hamilton County

Free arrest records searches may be performed on the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office website. Interested persons should locate the Inmate Search tool and enter a last name or first name in the search boxes. The tool displays arrest information for inmates housed at the Hamilton County Justice Center for free. 

However, free arrest record searches have limitations. For example, they do not offer download features that allow users to obtain copies of arrest documents. They also do not display sealed, expunged, or juvenile arrest records.

Hamilton County Arrest Report

An arrest record is a simple public summary that is prepared at the time of booking. It includes important information such as the arrested person's name, arrest date, charges, bond, mugshot, and arresting agency. These records are public under Ohio's Public Records Act.

In contrast, an arrest report is a detailed narrative written by a police officer after an arrest. The officer will write about everything that happened during the arrest, the statements made by witnesses, and any evidence seized. This report becomes part of the internal file and is not released to the public.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Hamilton County

An expungement in Hamilton County is the detention, destruction, and erasure of an arrest record to ensure it is permanently irretrievable (Ohio Revised Code §2151.3550). Interested persons should follow these steps to have their arrest records expunged:

  • Determine Eligibility 

Several sections of Ohio Revised Code § 2953 highlight the criteria a person must meet to have their records expunged in Hamilton County. For example, applicants with multiple charges should review Ohio Revised Code § 2953.61, while those whose records have been acquitted, dismissed, or pardoned should review Ohio Revised Code § 2953.33.

  • File the Appropriate Form

Eligible individuals should file the Application for Expungement Form with the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk does not charge a fee to expunge non-conviction arrest records. However, there is a non-refundable $50 fee for convictions. Anyone who cannot afford this fee should file an Affidavit of Indigency form with the court.

  • Go to the Hearing 

The court will set a hearing date, usually between 45 and 90 days after the expungement application date. The court will notify the prosecutor of the hearing at least 60 days in advance. The prosecutor has 30 days before the hearing to object to the expungement in writing. The written objection must state the reasons for the denial of the application. 

A notification will also be sent to the case victim(s) or their representative(s) of the expungement application and hearing date and time, and they may choose to be present at the hearing. At the hearing, a sitting judge will review the application to determine eligibility and any objections filed by the prosecutor or the victim(s).

  • Obtain the Court's Decision

If the judge approves the expungement, the court will send the applicant's expungement order and fingerprint records to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). This only occurs if the applicant's fingerprints were taken during the arrest or under Ohio Revised Code §109.60. 

However, the court may also order the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office to take the applicant's fingerprints if the applicant was not fingerprinted at the time of arrest or if their fingerprint records were not provided to the court, even though fingerprinting was required for the offense. The Sheriff's Office will send the applicant's fingerprints to the court, which will then forward them, along with the expungement order, to the BCI. The BCI will not permanently destroy, delete, or erase the expunged arrest record. However, other agencies notified of the expungement must permanently destroy the expunged arrest record. 

How Do You Remove Hamilton County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Removing Hamilton County arrest records from the internet often begins with expungement, which allows law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest to erase the person's records from their database and destroy the physical copy. However, expungement does not erase information previously published online by private parties. Individuals will have to visit the third-party site and request the removal of their arrest records. Some sites may ask them to upload a copy of their expungement order.