Portage County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Portage County
Arrest records in Portage County, Ohio are considered public records pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which governs public access to government records. Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established by state and federal privacy laws. The Ohio Public Records Act establishes that most arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies are subject to public disclosure.
The following agencies maintain publicly accessible arrest records in Portage County:
Portage County Sheriff's Office 8240 Infirmary Road Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 296-5100 Portage County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Exceptions to public access include:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Juvenile arrest records (sealed pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2151.358)
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the scope of public interest
Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(v) to protect the privacy of individuals involved.
What's in Portage County Arrest Records
Portage County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 1901.31, which establishes requirements for court record-keeping.
Standard information contained in Portage County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint records
- Criminal charges filed
- Case numbers and court information
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility information
Additional information that may be included:
- Prior arrest history within Portage County
- Warrant information if applicable
- Preliminary hearing dates
- Disposition of charges (if available)
The Portage County Clerk of Courts maintains official court records related to arrests:
Portage County Clerk of Courts 203 West Main Street Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3644 Portage County Clerk of Courts
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Portage County in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Portage County as of 2025, pursuant to established procedures under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1). Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
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In-person requests at the records division:
- Visit the Portage County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Complete a public records request form
- Present valid government-issued identification
- Specify the information being requested
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Written requests via mail:
- Submit a detailed written request to the Records Division
- Include specific information about the record sought
- Provide return contact information
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing
-
Online portal access:
- Navigate to the Portage County Sheriff's Office website
- Access the public records portal
- Create an account if required
- Submit search parameters
- Pay applicable fees for copies if needed
Portage County Records Center 449 South Meridian Street Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3563 Portage County Records Center
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Requesters should note that while basic arrest information is typically available immediately following booking, complete records may take 24-72 hours to be fully processed and accessible in the system.
How To Find Portage County Arrest Records Online
Portage County provides digital access to arrest records through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. These resources have been established in accordance with Ohio's commitment to government transparency under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43.
Primary online resources include:
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Portage County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup:
- Provides current detention status
- Booking information and charges
- Expected release dates when available
- Updated daily at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM
-
Portage County Clerk of Courts Public Access:
- Case information related to arrests
- Court appearances and scheduling
- Case disposition and sentencing information
- Document images for certain public records
-
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction Offender Search:
- Information on individuals currently incarcerated
- Supervision status for those on probation or parole
- Offense information and sentencing details
- Facility location and security classification
Users should be aware that online systems may require:
- Creation of user accounts
- Payment of nominal access fees for certain detailed records
- Acceptance of terms and conditions regarding proper use of information
- Understanding of limitations regarding the completeness of online records
For technical assistance with online access to Portage County arrest records, users may contact:
Portage County Information Technology Department 449 South Meridian Street Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3587 Portage County IT Department
Can You Search Portage County Arrest Records for Free?
Portage County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic arrest record information in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which limits the fees that may be charged for public records. Free access options include:
- Basic inmate lookup through the Sheriff's Office website
- Limited case information through the Clerk of Courts public portal
- In-person inspection of non-confidential records during regular business hours
- Public access computer terminals located at:
Portage County Justice Center 8240 Infirmary Road Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3800 Portage County Justice Center
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
While basic searches are available without charge, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies ($0.05 per page as of 2025)
- Certified copies ($1.00 per document)
- Records requiring extensive redaction or preparation
- Specialized searches requiring staff assistance
- Electronic media copies (CD/DVD/USB drive)
The Portage County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Courts accept the following payment methods for fee-based services:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
- Money orders
- Checks from Ohio financial institutions
How To Delete Arrest Records in Portage County
The process for removing arrest records from public access in Portage County is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, which establishes procedures for record sealing and expungement. Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must follow these established legal procedures:
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Determine eligibility:
- First-time offenders may qualify after waiting periods
- Non-conviction records may be sealed immediately
- Certain offenses are ineligible for sealing/expungement
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File application with appropriate court:
- Misdemeanor cases: Portage County Municipal Court
- Felony cases: Portage County Court of Common Pleas
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Attend scheduled hearing:
- Present evidence of rehabilitation
- Demonstrate statutory eligibility
- Address any prosecutor objections
Portage County Court of Common Pleas 203 West Main Street Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3850 Portage County Court of Common Pleas
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Portage County Municipal Court 303 East Main Street Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3640 Portage County Municipal Court
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Filing fees as of 2025:
- Municipal Court: $50 for non-conviction sealing, $100 for conviction sealing
- Common Pleas Court: $100 for non-conviction sealing, $150 for conviction sealing
- Fee waivers available for indigent applicants
What Happens After Arrest in Portage County?
Following an arrest in Portage County, individuals are processed through a standardized procedure established pursuant to Ohio Criminal Rules of Procedure and local court rules. The post-arrest process typically includes:
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Booking procedures:
- Transportation to Portage County Jail
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Initial criminal history check
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Initial appearance before a judge:
- Occurs within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends/holidays)
- Formal reading of charges
- Determination of probable cause
- Bail/bond consideration
- Appointment of counsel if indigent
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Pretrial proceedings:
- Preliminary hearing (felony cases)
- Arraignment and formal plea
- Discovery exchange
- Pretrial conferences
- Motion hearings
Portage County Jail 8240 Infirmary Road Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3892 Portage County Jail
Visitation Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, scheduled by pod assignment
Arrestees may be released from custody through various mechanisms:
- Personal recognizance bond
- Cash or surety bond
- Electronic monitoring/house arrest
- Pretrial supervision program
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Portage County?
Portage County maintains arrest records in accordance with Ohio's records retention schedules established under Ohio Revised Code § 149.39. The duration of record maintenance varies based on case disposition and record type:
- Felony arrest records: Maintained permanently
- Misdemeanor arrest records: Retained for 50 years from date of arrest
- Minor misdemeanor records: Retained for 25 years
- Non-conviction records: Maintained until eligible for sealing
- Juvenile arrest records: Maintained until age 23 unless sealed earlier
Records may be maintained in various formats:
- Physical paper files (older records)
- Microfilm/microfiche (transitional records)
- Digital database entries (current system)
- Secure cloud storage (backup systems)
The Portage County Records Commission oversees records retention policies:
Portage County Records Commission 449 South Meridian Street Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3563 Portage County Records Commission
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
How to Find Mugshots in Portage County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are maintained as part of Portage County arrest records and are generally accessible to the public under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. These photographs may be obtained through several authorized channels:
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Sheriff's Office Records Division:
- In-person requests during business hours
- Specific identification of subject required
- Photo ID copy fee: $5.00 per image
-
Online resources:
- Portage County Jail current inmate roster
- Limited to individuals currently in custody
- Updated twice daily
-
Media archives:
- Local newspaper digital archives
- Television station websites
- Third-party mugshot aggregation sites (not officially endorsed)
Portage County Sheriff's Office Records Division 8240 Infirmary Road Ravenna, OH 44266 Phone: (330) 297-3833 Portage County Sheriff's Records
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Requesters should note that while mugshots are generally public records, access may be restricted if:
- The photograph is part of an ongoing investigation
- The subject is a juvenile
- The record has been sealed or expunged by court order
- The release would create a demonstrable threat to personal safety
Lookup Arrest Records in Portage County
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction Offender Search