Stark County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Stark County
Arrest records in Stark 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 through various county agencies that maintain criminal justice information. The Ohio Public Records Act establishes that most arrest records are available for public inspection during regular business hours.
The Stark County Clerk of Courts maintains official court records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. These records are accessible to the public with certain statutory exceptions for sealed or expunged records as provided under Ohio law.
Stark County Clerk of Courts 115 Central Plaza North Canton, OH 44702 (330) 451-7786 Stark County Clerk of Courts
Exceptions to public access include:
- Records sealed by court order pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records expunged under applicable state statutes
- Records subject to active investigation exemptions
- Records containing sensitive personal information as defined by state law
The Stark County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and arrest information that may be accessed by the public through their records division or online portal. Certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy provisions of Ohio law.
What's in Stark County Arrest Records
Stark 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 and related statutes governing criminal procedure documentation.
Standard information contained in Stark County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed (including Ohio Revised Code citations)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records and identification numbers
- Case numbers and court docket information
- Bail or bond information when applicable
The Stark County Sheriff's Office Jail Division maintains custody records that include additional information about individuals held in county detention facilities. These records document intake procedures, housing assignments, and release information in compliance with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections standards.
Arrest records may also contain narrative reports from arresting officers describing the circumstances of the arrest, though these may be subject to redaction if they contain sensitive investigative information or details that could compromise ongoing law enforcement activities.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Stark County in 2025
Residents seeking arrest records in Stark County have multiple methods available for accessing this information in 2025. The county has implemented several systems to facilitate public access to criminal justice records in accordance with Ohio's public records laws.
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Stark County Sheriff's Office Records Division 4500 Atlantic Boulevard NE Canton, OH 44705 (330) 430-3800 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Stark County Clerk of Courts Criminal Division 115 Central Plaza North Canton, OH 44702 (330) 451-7786 Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
When requesting arrest records in person, individuals should:
- Provide the full name of the subject
- Include date of birth when available
- Specify the approximate date of arrest if known
- Present valid government-issued identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees (typically $5-25 per record)
- Complete required records request forms
Written requests may be submitted via mail to either agency with the same information. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), public offices must promptly prepare records for inspection and make copies available within a reasonable period.
For expedited service, the Stark County government portal provides online access to certain arrest record information through their public access terminal system.
How To Find Stark County Arrest Records Online
Digital access to Stark County arrest records has been expanded through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. These electronic resources allow for remote searches of public criminal justice information in compliance with Ohio public records statutes.
The primary online resources for accessing Stark County arrest records include:
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The Stark County Clerk of Courts online case access system provides searchable court records related to criminal cases. Users may search by name, case number, or filing date to locate information about arrests that resulted in court proceedings.
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The Stark County Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate lookup tool that provides current custody status and basic arrest information for individuals held in county detention facilities.
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The Canton Police Department's Incident Report Inquiry system allows users to search for police reports that may contain arrest information within the city limits.
When conducting online searches, users should note:
- Most systems require basic identifying information such as name and date of birth
- Some records may have limited information available online compared to complete records
- Certain sensitive cases may not appear in public online databases
- Historical records may not be fully digitized and might require in-person requests
- Online systems typically update within 24-48 hours of an arrest
For comprehensive searches, the Stark County government recommends utilizing multiple platforms as different agencies maintain separate record systems with varying levels of detail and accessibility.
Can You Search Stark County Arrest Records for Free?
Public access to Stark County arrest records is available without charge for in-person inspection pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which states that public offices must make records available for inspection at no cost during regular business hours. However, fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
Free access options include:
- In-person inspection at the Stark County Clerk of Courts public terminals
- Basic inmate searches on the Stark County Sheriff's Office website
- Public access computers at the Stark County Law Library located at:
Stark County Law Library 101 Central Plaza South Canton, OH 44702 (330) 451-7320 Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Fee-based services include:
- Printed copies of arrest records ($0.05-$0.25 per page)
- Certified copies of court documents ($1.00-$5.00 per document)
- Background check reports ($25.00-$50.00 depending on scope)
- Expedited processing services (additional $10.00-$25.00)
The Stark County Clerk of Courts maintains a fee schedule for various record services as authorized by Ohio law. Government agencies, legal representatives, and certain qualified organizations may be eligible for fee waivers under specific circumstances as provided by statute.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Stark County
The process for removing arrest records from public access in Stark County follows Ohio's record sealing and expungement statutes. Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must petition the appropriate court pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 for sealing of records or § 2953.38 for expungement in qualifying cases.
Eligibility requirements for record sealing generally include:
- Completion of all terms of sentencing
- Payment of all fines and restitution
- Specified waiting periods (typically 1 year for misdemeanors, 3 years for felonies)
- No pending criminal charges
- Limitations on number and type of convictions
The application process requires:
- Filing a petition with the Stark County Court of Common Pleas or Municipal Court (depending on case type)
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $50-$100)
- Completion of background check through the Stark County Sheriff's Office
- Attendance at scheduled hearing before a judge
- Demonstration that sealing serves the applicant's interest in rehabilitation and does not conflict with public safety concerns
Stark County Court of Common Pleas 101 Central Plaza South Canton, OH 44702 (330) 451-7734 Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Individuals should note that certain offenses are ineligible for sealing or expungement under Ohio law, including most violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses against minors. Professional legal assistance is recommended for navigating this complex process.
What Happens After Arrest in Stark County?
Following an arrest in Stark County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Ohio criminal procedure statutes and local court rules. This process includes several key stages that generate public records.
The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:
- Booking and processing at the Stark County Jail facility, where demographic information, fingerprints, and photographs are collected
- Initial appearance before a judge within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays)
- Bail determination based on factors including charge severity, criminal history, and flight risk
- Arraignment where formal charges are presented and pleas are entered
- Pretrial conferences and discovery proceedings
- Trial proceedings or plea negotiations
- Sentencing if convicted
The Stark County Sheriff's Office Jail Division processes approximately 10,000 bookings annually and maintains records of each individual's progress through the detention system. These records document custody status, court appearances, and ultimate disposition of cases.
For misdemeanor offenses, cases are typically handled by:
Canton Municipal Court 218 Cleveland Avenue SW Canton, OH 44702 (330) 489-3203 Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Felony cases proceed through:
Stark County Court of Common Pleas 101 Central Plaza South Canton, OH 44702 (330) 451-7734 Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Stark County?
Stark County maintains arrest records in accordance with Ohio's records retention schedules as established by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives division and the Ohio Revised Code § 149.38. These schedules determine the minimum period records must be preserved before potential destruction.
Standard retention periods for arrest-related records include:
- Arrest reports and booking information: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint cards and identification records: 75 years
- Misdemeanor case files: 5 years after case closure
- Felony case files: 50 years after case closure
- Traffic violations: 3 years after case closure
- Juvenile records: Until subject reaches age 23 (with exceptions)
The Stark County Clerk of Courts maintains the official court records related to criminal cases, while the Sheriff's Office retains booking and custody records. Digital conversion initiatives have expanded the county's capacity to maintain historical records indefinitely.
Records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access but may be maintained for limited official use as permitted by Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32(D). These records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain licensing boards under specific circumstances defined by statute.
How to Find Mugshots in Stark County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Stark County pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. These images are created during the booking process at county detention facilities and become part of the official arrest record.
Members of the public may obtain mugshots through several official channels:
Stark County Sheriff's Office Records Division 4500 Atlantic Boulevard NE Canton, OH 44705 (330) 430-3800 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Request procedures include:
- Submission of written request form specifying the individual's name and date of arrest
- Presentation of valid identification
- Payment of reproduction fees ($5.00 per photograph)
- Completion of purpose declaration form
The Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of booking photographs that can be searched by authorized personnel. Recent mugshots may be available through the online inmate lookup system on the Sheriff's Office website.
Individuals should be aware that while mugshots are legally accessible public records, their publication and distribution may be subject to commercial use restrictions under Ohio law. Recent legislative changes have imposed limitations on websites that publish mugshots and charge fees for removal.
Lookup Arrest Records in Stark County
Stark County Government Portal