Columbus Criminal Records

Columbus criminal records are held by the Franklin County courts and the Columbus Division of Police. As Ohio's state capital and largest city, Columbus has a large volume of criminal case filings each year. You can search court records online through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts or the Municipal Court portal. The Columbus Police Public Records Unit also keeps arrest reports, incident files, and offense records. Most of these records are public under Ohio law. Getting them takes just a few steps, whether you search online or visit in person.

Franklin County Criminal Records

Columbus is in Franklin County. All felony criminal cases go through the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts keeps every case file, from the first charge to the final ruling. You can search these records online through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts website. The search tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or date range.

Franklin County also runs a Municipal Court that handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations for Columbus. The Franklin County Municipal Court has its own online case search. It covers traffic tickets, misdemeanor charges, and code violations within the city. Records show charges, hearing dates, case status, and how each case ended.

View Franklin County Criminal Records

Columbus Police Criminal Records

The Columbus Division of Police keeps all arrest records, incident reports, and offense files for the city. The Public Records Unit is at 120 Marconi Boulevard, 2nd Floor. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 2 PM, and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Call (614) 645-4925 for the Public Records Unit or (614) 645-4001 for the Records Section. You can also fax requests to (614) 645-0903.

There are several ways to get Columbus police records. You can submit a request online through the Report Request page, send it by fax, mail it to the Records Unit at 120 Marconi Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43215, or walk in during business hours. The types of records you can get include incident reports, accident reports, offense reports, arrest records, 911 call logs, and body camera footage. Official hard copies cost $0.05 per page. Unofficial copies used for stats are free but can't be used in court.

The Columbus Police Department follows ORC 149.43 for public records access. Active case files may be held back during an open case. Records with personal info get redacted before release. Victim data can also be removed per state law. A valid ID is needed for in-person requests.

The screenshot below shows the Franklin County Clerk of Courts portal used to search Columbus criminal records online.

This search tool gives you access to case filings, docket entries, and court rulings for criminal cases in Columbus and the rest of Franklin County.

Columbus Criminal Case Prosecution

The Columbus City Attorney's Office runs the Prosecutor Division. They file criminal charges in Franklin County Municipal Court and Common Pleas Court. You can request case files from the Prosecutor Division by filling out their Public Records Request Form. Send it by email to MRTobias@columbus.gov, by fax, by mail, or drop it off in person at 77 North Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Call Melanie Tobias at (614) 645-8876 with questions.

Prosecutor case files hold charging papers, police reports, witness statements, plea deals, and sentencing details. Active case records are mostly exempt from public access since they count as trial prep materials. If you are a defendant looking for records from your own case, you should go through discovery under Criminal Rule 16 rather than the public records process. Fees must be paid in full by cash, check, or money order before records get released. Checks go to the Columbus City Treasurer.

How to Search Columbus Criminal Records

Start with the online tools. The Franklin County Municipal Court search lets you find traffic and misdemeanor cases by name, case number, or file date. There may be a 24-hour gap between when something gets filed and when it shows up online. For the most current info, call the court or visit in person.

The city also has a NextRequest portal through the Columbus City Clerk office. This handles public records requests for the City Council, City Clerk, and Mayor's Office. It does not cover police records. For police files, use the Columbus Police channels described above.

For statewide searches, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation runs background checks through WebCheck. The ODRC Offender Search covers state prison inmates from Columbus. Under ORC 109.572, certain positions need a BCI background check.

Sealing Columbus Criminal Records

Ohio law allows some criminal records to be sealed or expunged. Under ORC 2953.32, eligible people can ask the court to seal their case files. The filing fee is $50 plus local court costs. Not every conviction qualifies. First-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, most violent crimes, and sex offenses cannot be sealed.

To file for sealing in Columbus, you submit an application to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The court sets a hearing date. The prosecutor gets a chance to object. If the judge grants it, the records get sealed and won't show up in most public searches. There is a waiting period before you can apply. It depends on the type of offense and the sentence imposed.

Columbus Criminal Records Fees

Fees vary by office. At the Columbus Police Department, official hard copies are $0.05 per page. The Prosecutor Division charges based on the size of the request, with prepayment needed if costs go past $25.

Franklin County Clerk of Courts charges standard Ohio rates for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The Municipal Court follows the same fee structure set by state law. Most offices take cash, checks, and money orders. Some accept credit cards with a processing fee on top.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Columbus. If you need criminal records from a neighboring area, select a city below.