Search Geauga County Criminal Records
Geauga County criminal records are on file at the Court of Common Pleas in Chardon and the Sheriff's Office on Merritt Road. The Clerk of Courts keeps all felony case files, civil records, and domestic relations matters for the county. You can search case dockets online going back to 1993, or visit the courthouse to view older files. The Sheriff runs a jail roster showing current inmates, and the Chardon Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases. Geauga County sits in northeast Ohio just east of Cleveland, and all of its courts and law enforcement offices provide public access to criminal records through both online tools and in-person requests.
Geauga County Overview
Geauga County Clerk of Courts Criminal Records
The Geauga County Clerk of Courts manages all criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas. The Legal Office is at 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024. Call (440) 279-1960 for help. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Records cover felony criminal cases, civil suits, domestic relations, and 11th District Court of Appeals filings. Each criminal case file shows the defendant's name, charges, attorney info, judge assignment, docket notes, and hearing schedule.
You can search Geauga County criminal records through the Clerk of Courts online case search. The system lets you look up cases by number, party name, business name, case type, or filing date. Court dockets from 1993 to the present are in the system. For anything older, you need to visit the courthouse or contact the Department of County Archives and Records Enterprise at 470 Center Street, Building 8 in Chardon.
The archives department holds over 5,000 linear feet of original government records going back to 1806. That includes criminal case files, civil case files, probate records, and land records from as far back as 1798. Research help from the archives is free.
Copies cost just $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. The office takes cash, checks, and credit cards. Credit card payments have a processing fee. Most files asked for one day will be ready the next.
The Clerk's website notes that some records cannot be viewed online per ORC 149.43. Juvenile files, adoption records, and sealed cases are kept private. The accuracy of online data is not guaranteed by the office, so the official paper file is the final word if there is a difference.
| Office | Geauga County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300 Chardon, OH 44024 |
| Phone | (440) 279-1960 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Geauga County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Geauga County Sheriff's Office is at 12451 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024. The main number is (440) 279-2000. The Sheriff handles all arrest records, incident reports, accident reports, and jail roster data for the county. The office covers Chardon and all surrounding townships.
A current inmate roster is online. It shows names, charges, and basic booking info. Public records requests go through the office during regular hours. Copy fees apply for reports. Basic roster data is free to view on the website. Active investigation files may be held back under Ohio law. Juvenile records are confidential and will not be released.
Note: For state prison inmates from Geauga County, use the ODRC Offender Search at appgateway.drc.ohio.gov instead of the county jail roster.
Chardon Municipal Court Criminal Cases
The Chardon Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic tickets, civil matters up to $15,000, and small claims for Geauga County. The court is at 111 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024. For criminal matters call (440) 286-2684. The email for criminal inquiries is municriminal@co.geauga.oh.us.
Online case search is available. You can look up cases by name, number, or citation. Results show charges, dispositions, and hearing dates. Copies cost $0.05 per page. VHS copies of courtroom proceedings cost $1.00. Files burned to CD or DVD cost $1.00 per disc. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Sealed records are not available, and older records may not be in the online system. Records from this court are public under ORC 149.43 and the actual cost of making copies is all you pay.
Geauga County Criminal Records Access
Geauga County courts follow Ohio's open records law. Criminal case files at the Clerk of Courts are open to anyone during business hours. No reason is needed. The Geauga County Recorder at 231 Main Street, Suite 200, Chardon also keeps property records that may connect to fraud or lien cases.
Some records stay sealed. Juvenile cases are closed under Ohio law. Sealed and expunged adult cases are not available to the public. Under ORC 2953.32, eligible defendants can apply to seal their criminal records in Geauga County. The application fee is $50 plus local court costs. Violent felonies, sex crimes, and first or second-degree felonies cannot be sealed. The Probate Court at 100 Short Court Street handles marriage records going back to 1805, and estate records from 1806 to the present.
How to Search Geauga County Criminal Records
The fastest way is the online case search on the Clerk's website. Enter a name or case number. You will see the charges, hearing dates, and current case status. For misdemeanor and traffic cases, use the Chardon Municipal Court search instead.
In-person searches work well too. Go to the Legal Office at 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300 in Chardon. Staff can pull up records and print copies while you wait. Public computer terminals are also available in the courthouse for searching on your own. If you want records by mail, send a written request with the case info and payment for copy fees.
State-level tools also cover Geauga County. The BCI does statewide criminal records checks. Fingerprint-based checks under ORC 109.572 go through the WebCheck system. The ODRC Offender Search covers anyone serving time in an Ohio state prison.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Geauga County. Select one below to search criminal records in that area.