Portage County Criminal Records
What Is Portage County Criminal Records
Portage County criminal records are official documents maintained by various county agencies that detail an individual's criminal history within the jurisdiction of Portage County, Ohio. These records are created and maintained pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which governs public records in the state.
Criminal records typically originate when:
- Law enforcement agencies make arrests
- Prosecutors file charges
- Courts process cases and render judgments
- Correctional facilities document incarcerations
The primary custodians of these records include:
Portage County Clerk of Courts
203 West Main Street
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3644
Portage County Clerk of Courts
Portage County Sheriff's Office
8240 Infirmary Road
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 296-5100
Portage County Sheriff's Office
Portage County Prosecutor's Office
241 South Chestnut Street
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3850
Portage County Prosecutor's Office
These records serve multiple purposes within the criminal justice system and beyond, including informing sentencing decisions, supporting background checks, and providing statistical data for law enforcement agencies.
Are Criminal Records Public In Portage County
Criminal records in Portage County are generally considered public records in accordance with Ohio's Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be open to public inspection.
Members of the public may access most criminal records through the following means:
- In-person requests at the appropriate county office
- Online portals maintained by county agencies
- Written requests submitted to records custodians
However, certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Ohio law:
- Records pertaining to juveniles (persons under 18 years of age)
- Cases that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31-2953.36
- Records containing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or victims' personal data
- Ongoing investigations that may be exempt under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2)
The Portage County Clerk of Courts maintains public access terminals at their office where members of the public may search for criminal case information during regular business hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays
Requestors seeking criminal records should be prepared to provide specific identifying information about the case or individual in question to facilitate the search process.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Portage County in 2025
Portage County offers multiple methods for accessing criminal records in 2025, with both traditional and modernized options available to accommodate various needs. The county has implemented several procedural updates to streamline the records request process.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Portage County Clerk of Courts - Criminal Division
203 West Main Street, Room 106
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3644
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Required information for criminal record searches includes:
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date of offense (if case number is unknown)
For written requests, correspondence should be directed to the Records Department at the above address and must include:
- Specific information being requested
- Purpose of the request
- Return address and contact information
- Payment of applicable fees (currently $5.00 per name search and $0.25 per page for copies)
Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 109:5-1-01, certified background checks may be obtained through WebCheck providers located throughout Portage County. These providers collect fingerprints and submit them electronically to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. A listing of WebCheck providers is maintained by the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
How To Find Criminal Records in Portage County Online?
Portage County has established several digital platforms that enable remote access to criminal records information. These online resources have been developed in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits public offices to adopt policies providing for the transmission of public records by electronic means.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Portage County include:
Portage County Clerk of Courts Public Access System
This web-based portal allows users to search court cases by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Case type
The system provides access to:
- Case dockets
- Scheduling information
- Judgment entries
- Some filed documents
For individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Offender Search database provides information on current status, location, and scheduled release dates.
When using online systems, users should note:
- Some older records may not be digitized and require in-person requests
- Certain documents may be available only in redacted form online
- Complex searches may require assistance from clerk's office staff
- System maintenance occasionally limits availability during non-business hours
Online access is available 24 hours per day, though technical support is limited to regular business hours. Users experiencing difficulties may contact the Clerk's IT Department at (330) 297-3750 during business hours.
Can You Search Portage County Criminal Records for Free?
Portage County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic criminal records information, though comprehensive searches or document reproduction may incur fees. These free access points are provided in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which states that public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection at no cost during regular business hours.
Free access options include:
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Public access terminals located at the Portage County Clerk of Courts office (203 West Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266) are available without charge during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).
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The Clerk's online case search system provides basic case information without requiring payment or registration.
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The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Offender Search is available at no cost for checking current inmate status.
Fees may apply for:
- Printed copies ($0.25 per page)
- Certified copies ($1.00 per certification plus copy costs)
- Background checks ($25.00 for BCI checks, $30.00 for FBI checks)
- Research assistance for complex or time-intensive searches ($20.00 per hour after the first 15 minutes)
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), public offices may adopt reasonable fee structures for the actual cost of producing copies or delivering records by mail or electronic means. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the records custodian.
What's Included in a Portage County Criminal Record?
Portage County criminal records contain standardized information as prescribed by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.08 and related statutes. These records document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction.
A typical Portage County criminal record contains:
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Demographic information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Last known address
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
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Case information:
- Case number and filing date
- Arresting agency
- Charges filed (including Ohio Revised Code section numbers)
- Plea entered
- Case disposition (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Sentence imposed (if applicable)
-
Procedural history:
- Court appearances
- Continuances
- Motions filed and their dispositions
- Appeal information (if applicable)
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Related documents:
- Indictments or complaints
- Judgment entries
- Sentencing orders
- Probation reports (may be restricted)
Records maintained by the Portage County Sheriff's Office may additionally include booking photographs, fingerprint records, and detention information. These records are maintained at:
Portage County Justice Center
8240 Infirmary Road
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3892
It should be noted that pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-10-06, certain information may be redacted from publicly available records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to victims of certain offenses.
What Are the Penalties for a Portage County Criminal Trespass Charge?
Criminal trespass in Portage County is prosecuted under Ohio Revised Code § 2911.21 and carries specific penalties based on the nature and circumstances of the offense. The Portage County Prosecutor's Office handles these cases in accordance with state law and local judicial practices.
Criminal trespass is generally classified as a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by:
- Maximum jail sentence of 30 days
- Maximum fine of $250
- Possible probation or community control sanctions
- Court costs and fees
Aggravating factors that may enhance penalties include:
- Prior trespass convictions
- Trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present (elevated to a fourth-degree felony under § 2911.12)
- Trespass with the intent to commit a felony (may be charged as burglary)
- Trespass involving a critical infrastructure facility (elevated to a first-degree misdemeanor or third-degree felony under § 2911.21(A)(4))
Cases are typically processed through:
Portage County Municipal Court
303 East Main Street
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3731
Portage County Municipal Court
For more serious offenses that constitute felonies:
Portage County Court of Common Pleas
203 West Main Street
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3850
Portage County Court of Common Pleas
Individuals charged with criminal trespass may be eligible for diversion programs or plea agreements depending on their criminal history and the specific circumstances of the case, as determined by the prosecuting attorney and the court.
How Long Does Portage County Keep Criminal Records?
Portage County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Ohio Records Retention Schedule as established by Ohio Revised Code § 149.38 and the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Historical Society. The retention periods vary based on the type of record and the disposition of the case.
Standard retention periods for criminal records in Portage County include:
- Felony case files: 50 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor case files: 25 years after case closure
- Minor misdemeanor case files: 5 years after case closure
- Traffic case files: 5 years after case closure
- Index records: Permanently maintained
- Docket books: Permanently maintained
- Grand jury records: Permanently maintained
Records may be maintained in various formats:
- Paper documents (particularly for older cases)
- Microfilm/microfiche (for preservation of older records)
- Electronic records (for more recent cases)
The Portage County Records Center oversees the management and preservation of these records:
Portage County Records Center
449 South Meridian Street
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3607
Individuals seeking to limit the availability of their criminal records may petition for expungement or sealing under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31-2953.36, if eligible. Such petitions must be filed with:
Portage County Clerk of Courts
203 West Main Street
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-3644
Records that have been sealed or expunged are removed from public access but may still be available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as permitted by Ohio law.