Parma Criminal Records
Parma criminal records are kept by the Parma Municipal Court and the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts. This city sits in Cuyahoga County, and all felony cases go through the county court system in Cleveland. You can search for criminal case files at both the local and county level. Misdemeanor offenses and traffic cases stay in Parma Municipal Court. The Parma Police Department also holds arrest records and incident reports at the Records Bureau on Stumph Road. Several search options exist for those who need to look up criminal records tied to Parma cases, and most can be done in person or by mail.
Parma Overview
Parma Municipal Court Criminal Cases
The Parma Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations that take place in the city. The court is at 5555 Stumph Road in Parma. You can call the Clerk's Office at (440) 885-8300 for questions about case files or record requests. The court hears cases from Parma, Parma Heights, Seven Hills, and other nearby communities that fall within its jurisdiction.
Criminal records at Parma Municipal Court include the defendant's name, charges filed, hearing dates, case outcomes, and any fines or sentences handed down by the judge. You can search for cases online through the court's website using a name or case number. The online system shows both open and closed cases. Walk-in requests are also accepted during business hours at the Clerk's Office window. Written requests sent by mail should include the full name of the person and an approximate date range for the case you need.
Misdemeanor cases in Parma range from theft and assault to drug possession and disorderly conduct. Traffic offenses like OVI charges also go through this court. Each case gets a docket number that you can use to track it through the system.
Note: Parma Municipal Court records only cover misdemeanors and traffic cases filed within its jurisdiction, not felony charges.
Parma Police Criminal Records
The Parma Police Department Records Bureau keeps all arrest records and incident reports filed by city officers. The office is at 5555 Stumph Road, Parma, OH 44134. Call (440) 885-1234 for the Records Bureau.
Police records at the Parma Records Bureau include incident reports, accident reports, offense reports, and arrest logs. You can request records in person during business hours or send a written request by mail. Each report is searchable by report number, date of the incident, location, and the names of people involved. Standard copy fees apply under Ohio law. The bureau accepts cash, check, or money order for payment. Online access to police reports from Parma is limited, so most requests have to be made in person or through the mail.
The Ohio Public Records Act under ORC 149.43 gives the public a right to access these records. Some records are exempt. Active investigation files, juvenile records, and documents with personal identifiers like Social Security numbers get redacted or withheld. The bureau can take a few days to process your request depending on how many records you need.
| Office | Parma Police Records Bureau |
|---|---|
| Address | 5555 Stumph Road Parma, OH 44134 |
| Phone | (440) 885-1234 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, Business Hours |
Cuyahoga County Criminal Records for Parma
Felony criminal cases from Parma go through the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland. The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts keeps all felony case files, including indictments, plea records, trial transcripts, and sentencing documents. The courthouse is in downtown Cleveland. You can search Cuyahoga County criminal records online through the Clerk's public access portal.
If someone in Parma gets charged with a felony, the case gets filed at the county level. This includes crimes like robbery, burglary, felony drug charges, and violent offenses. The Parma Police Department handles the arrest, but the county prosecutor takes over from there. The Cuyahoga County Grand Jury decides whether to indict, and the case moves through Common Pleas Court. All of those records are on file with the county clerk and open to the public under Ohio law.
The Eighth District Court of Appeals covers Cuyahoga County. Appeals from Parma criminal cases that were tried in Common Pleas Court go to this appellate court. You can look up appellate decisions through the Ohio Supreme Court website.
Criminal Records Fees in Parma
Getting copies of criminal records in Parma costs money. Standard copies run about $0.25 per page at the Clerk's Office. Certified copies cost more. The exact fee depends on which office you go to and what type of document you need.
At the Parma Police Records Bureau, report copies follow the fee schedule set by Ohio Revised Code. Cash and money orders are the safest payment methods since not every office takes personal checks. If you want certified court documents from Cuyahoga County, expect to pay around $20 per certification on top of the per-page copy cost. Statewide background checks through the BCI WebCheck system run about $22 for an Ohio check and $24 for an FBI check.
Sealing Parma Criminal Records
Under ORC 2953.32, people with criminal records in Parma can apply to have their cases sealed. The process starts by filing an application with the court that handled the case. For misdemeanors tried in Parma Municipal Court, you file there. For felonies that went through Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, you file at the county level.
Not all cases can be sealed. First-degree and second-degree felonies are not eligible. Sex offenses and violent felonies also stay on the record. The application fee is $50 plus any local court costs. There are waiting periods before you can apply. One year after a misdemeanor case ends. Three years for most felonies. The court holds a hearing where the prosecutor can object. If the judge grants the sealing, the record gets removed from public view but law enforcement can still access it.
The BCI database also gets updated when a record is sealed. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation handles the statewide criminal records database and removes sealed records from public background checks.
Search Parma Records Statewide
Several state tools can help you find Parma criminal records beyond what the local court and police department offer.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety provides the screenshot below showing the statewide offender search tool, which covers inmates from all Ohio counties including Cuyahoga County.
The ODRC Offender Search lets you look up anyone serving time in an Ohio state prison. This covers people from Parma who were convicted of felonies and sent to a state facility. You can search by name or inmate number. Results show the offense, sentence length, and current location.
The BCI runs formal background checks through the WebCheck fingerprint system. These checks pull from the state criminal records database and can include FBI records too. You need to go to an authorized WebCheck location to get fingerprinted. Results go to the requesting agency, not directly to you in most cases.
- ODRC Offender Search for state prison inmates
- BCI WebCheck for fingerprint-based background checks
- Ohio Highway Patrol crash reports
- Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts online case search
- Parma Municipal Court online docket
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Parma. If you need criminal records from a neighboring area, select a city below.