Summit County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Summit County
Arrest records in Summit County, Ohio are considered public records pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act, codified under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. This statute establishes that records maintained by any public office, including law enforcement agencies, are public records unless specifically exempted by law.
The Summit County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties as the highest law enforcement agency in the county. Under current Ohio law, most arrest records are accessible to the public regardless of whether the arrest resulted in a conviction. However, it is important to note the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:
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Arrest Records: Document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. These records exist regardless of whether charges were filed or the individual was convicted.
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Conviction Records: Document that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense, either through a trial verdict or plea agreement.
While both types of records are generally public in Ohio, certain exemptions exist under § 149.43(A)(1) that may restrict access to specific information within arrest records, including:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Confidential law enforcement investigatory records
- Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel
- Medical records
- Juvenile records (with certain exceptions)
- Records whose release is prohibited by state or federal law
The Summit County Sheriff's Office Records Division processes public records requests in accordance with these statutory provisions.
What's in Summit County Arrest Records
Summit County arrest records contain standardized information documenting an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Home address
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Fingerprints
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Whether force was used during arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance numbers of alleged violations
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, etc.)
- Charge description
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking number
- Date and time of booking
- Booking facility
- Property inventory
- Medical screening information (non-confidential portions)
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond status (posted, denied, etc.)
- Conditions of release
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation/parole status
- Immigration holds
- Protective orders
- Known associates
- Vehicle information
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the circumstances of the arrest. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 exemptions.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Summit County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Summit County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest records:
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Submit a Public Records Request to the Summit County Sheriff's Office
- Complete a public records request form in person, by mail, or via email
- Provide specific information about the record being sought (name, date of arrest, case number if known)
- Present valid identification if requesting records in person
- Pay applicable copying fees (currently $0.10 per page)
Summit County Sheriff's Office Records Division
53 University Avenue
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2154
Summit County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM -
Request Records from the Summit County Clerk of Courts
- For arrest records that have resulted in court cases
- Visit the Clerk's File Room in person or submit a request online
- Provide case number or defendant name
- Pay applicable fees for copies
Summit County Clerk of Courts
205 S. High Street, Basement Level
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2212
Summit County Clerk of Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM -
Contact the Arresting Agency Directly
- If the arrest was made by a municipal police department rather than the Sheriff's Office
- Contact the specific police department's records division
- Follow their established public records request procedures
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Visit the Summit County Jail Records Office
- For recent arrests and current inmate information
- Request information in person at the jail facility
- Provide the name of the individual
Summit County Jail
205 E. Crosier Street
Akron, OH 44311
(330) 643-2150
Hours: 24 hours daily for basic inmate information
When requesting arrest records, requestors should be prepared to provide as much identifying information as possible about the subject of the records to ensure accurate results. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records and make them available for inspection at reasonable times during regular business hours.
How To Find Summit County Arrest Records Online
Summit County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests. The following online methods are currently available:
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Summit County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
- Access the Summit County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the "Inmate Search" function
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- View current custody status and basic arrest information
- Note that this system only contains information on current inmates
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Summit County Clerk of Courts Online Case Search
- Visit the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Case Search portal
- Enter the individual's name or case number
- Access case information including charges, court dates, and disposition
- View publicly available documents associated with the case
- Note that this system only contains information on cases that have been filed with the court
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Summit County Public Records Request Portal
- Access the Summit County Clerk of Courts public records request page
- Submit an electronic request for specific arrest records
- Provide detailed information about the records being sought
- Pay any applicable fees electronically
- Receive documents via email or download
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Ohio Statewide Judicial Database
- Visit the Ohio Courts Network
- Search for cases across multiple Ohio jurisdictions
- Access Summit County arrest records that have resulted in court cases
- Note that registration may be required for certain search functions
When using online systems to access arrest records, users should be aware that:
- Not all arrest records are available online
- Records may be incomplete or contain only summary information
- Some systems may have a delay between an arrest and when records appear online
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
- Official certified copies typically require an in-person request
Online access to arrest records is provided 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.
How To Search Summit County Arrest Records for Free?
Summit County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records without payment in several ways. The following methods are currently available for conducting free searches of arrest records:
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In-Person Inspection at the Sheriff's Office
- Visit the Summit County Sheriff's Records Division during business hours
- Complete a public records request form
- Specify that you wish to inspect records rather than receive copies
- Review records on-site at no charge
- Note that fees apply only if you request physical copies ($0.10 per page)
Summit County Sheriff's Office Records Division
53 University Avenue
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2154
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM -
Free Online Inmate Search
- Access the Summit County Sheriff's Office website
- Use the free inmate lookup tool
- Search by name to view current custody status
- Access basic arrest information at no charge
- Note that this system only contains information on current inmates
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Public Access Terminals at the Clerk of Courts
- Visit the Summit County Clerk of Courts office
- Use the public access computer terminals
- Search court cases related to arrests at no charge
- View case information including charges and disposition
- Print copies for a nominal fee if needed
Summit County Clerk of Courts
205 S. High Street, Basement Level
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2212
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM -
Free Online Court Records Search
- Access the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Case Search
- Enter the individual's name
- View case information at no charge
- Access publicly available documents
- Note that this system only contains information on cases that have been filed with the court
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Public Library Resources
- Visit the Akron-Summit County Public Library
- Use public computers to access online court records
- Request assistance from reference librarians if needed
- Access newspaper archives that may contain arrest information
Akron-Summit County Public Library (Main Library)
60 South High Street
Akron, OH 44326
(330) 643-9000
Hours: Vary by branch
Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must make records available for inspection at no cost during regular business hours. While inspection is free, public offices may charge for the actual cost of making copies, but cannot charge for labor costs associated with preparing the records.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Summit County
In Summit County, as throughout Ohio, arrest records cannot be deleted in the conventional sense, but they may be sealed or expunged under specific circumstances. These legal processes restrict public access to records rather than physically destroying them. The distinction between these remedies is important:
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Record Sealing: Makes records inaccessible to the general public but still available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers. Sealed records remain in existence but are removed from public view.
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Expungement: A more complete remedy that involves the actual deletion of records from public databases and physical destruction of paper records. In Ohio, true expungement is generally limited to juvenile records.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, individuals may apply to have their arrest records sealed if they meet the following criteria:
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For Convictions:
- First-degree misdemeanors: Eligible one year after final discharge
- Fourth or fifth-degree felonies: Eligible three years after final discharge
- Third-degree felonies: Eligible four years after final discharge
- Certain second-degree felonies: Eligible five years after final discharge
- All community control sanctions have been completed
- All fines and restitution have been paid
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For Non-Convictions (arrests not resulting in conviction):
- Cases resulting in not guilty verdicts: Eligible immediately
- Dismissed charges: Eligible immediately
- No-bills by grand jury: Eligible immediately
- Nolle prosequi entries: Eligible immediately
The process for sealing records in Summit County involves:
- Filing an application with the Summit County Court of Common Pleas or Municipal Court (depending on the level of offense)
- Paying the filing fee (currently $50, though fee waivers may be available)
- Attending a hearing before a judge
- Demonstrating rehabilitation and that sealing is in the public interest
Summit County Court of Common Pleas
209 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2148
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Certain offenses are ineligible for sealing under Ohio law, including:
- Most violent felonies
- Sex offenses
- Offenses where the victim was under 18 years old
- Offenses carrying mandatory prison terms
- First and second-degree felonies (with limited exceptions)
- Traffic offenses including OVI/DUI
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52, individuals who were found not guilty or had charges dismissed may apply to have records sealed regardless of prior criminal history. For convictions, eligibility depends on the applicant's entire criminal record.
Legal representation is strongly recommended when seeking to seal arrest records, as the process involves complex legal standards and procedural requirements.
What Happens After Arrest in Summit County?
Following an arrest in Summit County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process governed by Ohio law and local court rules. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:
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Booking and Initial Detention
- Arrestee is transported to the Summit County Jail or local police station
- Booking procedures include fingerprinting, photographing, and collecting personal information
- Personal property is inventoried and secured
- Initial health screening is conducted
- Arrestee is placed in holding cell or general population depending on charges and circumstances
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Initial Appearance/Arraignment
- Occurs within 48-72 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays)
- Judge informs defendant of charges and constitutional rights
- Bail determination is made based on factors including:
- Severity of alleged offense
- Criminal history
- Flight risk
- Community ties
- Public safety considerations
- Public defender may be appointed if defendant qualifies financially
- Plea is entered (typically "not guilty" at this stage)
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Pretrial Proceedings
- Pretrial conferences between prosecution and defense
- Discovery exchange of evidence
- Filing and hearing of pretrial motions
- Plea negotiations may occur
- Bond modification hearings if requested
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Grand Jury (for felonies)
- Prosecutor presents evidence to grand jury
- Grand jury determines if probable cause exists to issue indictment
- If indicted, case proceeds to Common Pleas Court
- If not indicted ("no bill"), case may be dismissed
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Trial or Plea Resolution
- Most cases resolve through plea agreements
- If case proceeds to trial, defendant may choose jury trial or bench trial
- Prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt
- Verdict is rendered by jury or judge
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Sentencing (if convicted)
- Presentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Judge imposes sentence which may include:
- Incarceration
- Probation/community control
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution to victims
- Treatment programs
- Community service
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Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within 30 days of sentencing
- Potential post-conviction relief petitions
- Probation supervision if applicable
- Incarceration in county jail or state prison if sentenced to confinement
Throughout this process, cases are tracked in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas case management system for felonies, or in municipal court systems for misdemeanors. All court proceedings are documented in the public record maintained by the Summit County Clerk of Courts, though certain proceedings may be sealed or conducted in private under specific circumstances.
The timeframe for case resolution varies significantly based on case complexity, court docket congestion, and whether the defendant is in custody or released on bond.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Summit County?
Arrest records in Summit County are maintained according to retention schedules established under Ohio Revised Code § 149.39, which governs records retention for local government entities. These schedules vary by agency and record type, but generally establish long-term or permanent retention for arrest records.
The primary retention periods currently in effect include:
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Summit County Sheriff's Office Records:
- Arrest reports: Permanent retention
- Booking photographs: 25 years
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
- Incident reports: 25 years
- Investigation files: 25 years after case closure
- Jail records: 10 years after release
-
Summit County Clerk of Courts Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 50 years
- Traffic case files: 25 years
- Index books and dockets: Permanent retention
- Grand jury records: Permanent retention
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Municipal Court Records:
- Criminal case files: 50 years
- Traffic case files: 25 years
- Dockets and indexes: Permanent retention
These retention periods serve several important purposes:
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Legal Requirements: State law mandates minimum retention periods to ensure records are available for legal proceedings, appeals, and post-conviction remedies.
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Law Enforcement Needs: Historical arrest records assist in ongoing and future investigations, background checks, and identification of patterns.
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Public Accountability: Long-term retention ensures transparency in law enforcement operations and judicial proceedings.
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Historical Documentation: Records with permanent retention value serve as historical documentation of county operations and criminal justice activities.
It is important to note that even when physical records reach the end of their retention period, information may be maintained indefinitely in electronic databases. Additionally, records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access but may still be maintained with restricted access for law enforcement purposes.
The Summit County Records Commission, established under Ohio Revised Code § 149.38, oversees the county's records retention schedules and ensures compliance with state requirements for records management.
How to Find Mugshots in Summit County
Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are created during the arrest booking process and are considered part of the official arrest record in Summit County. These photographs serve to document an individual's appearance at the time of arrest and assist in identification.
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots typically consist of front-facing and profile (side) photographs of an arrested individual, taken against a plain background with standardized lighting. These images are accompanied by identifying information such as the arrestee's name, booking number, and date of photograph.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Summit County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
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Summit County Sheriff's Office Records Division
53 University Avenue
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 643-2154
Summit County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM -
Municipal Police Departments that conduct their own bookings also maintain mugshots for arrests they process.
Finding Mugshots
To obtain mugshots in Summit County, individuals may:
- Submit a public records request to the arresting agency, specifically requesting the booking photograph
- Visit the Sheriff's Records Division in person to request mugshots
- Contact the municipal police department that conducted the arrest
- Check the Summit County Jail inmate database for current inmates
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
Currently, Summit County does not maintain a public-facing online database of all booking photographs. However, mugshots may appear online through:
- The Summit County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup tool (for current inmates only)
- Third-party websites that aggregate mugshots from public records
- Media outlets that publish mugshots related to newsworthy arrests
It should be noted that Ohio House Bill 6 (effective April 2021) restricts the ability of commercial websites to publish mugshots and charge fees for their removal.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The official process for obtaining mugshots involves:
- Submitting a public records request to the appropriate agency
- Providing identifying information about the subject (full name, date of birth, date of arrest)
- Paying applicable copying fees (typically $0.10 per page for printed copies)
- Receiving the mugshot in printed or electronic format
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
While mugshots are generally considered public records under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, access may be restricted in certain circumstances:
- Mugshots related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Juvenile mugshots are generally not public records
- Mugshots that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible to the public
- Certain identifying details may be redacted for privacy or security reasons
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that these images are created for law enforcement purposes and their publication or distribution may have significant privacy implications for the subjects depicted.
Lookup Arrest Records in Summit County
Summit County Sheriff's Office Records Division
Summit County Clerk of Courts Public Records
Summit County Court of Common Pleas Case Search