Mercer County Criminal Records Lookup
Mercer County criminal records are held by the Clerk of Courts and the Celina Municipal Court. The county seat is Celina, in western Ohio. Calvin Freeman serves as the Clerk of Courts and manages an online case search system for criminal, civil, and appellate records. The Celina Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic offenses. The Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records and booking data. You can search Mercer County criminal records online or request copies in person at the courthouse at 101 N Main Street in Celina.
Mercer County Overview
Mercer County Clerk of Courts Criminal Records
The Mercer County Clerk of Courts is led by Calvin Freeman. The office is at 101 N Main Street, Room 205, Celina, OH 45822. The Clerk keeps all records for the Court of Common Pleas and provides online access through a case management system.
Below is a screenshot of the Mercer County Clerk of Courts website where you can access criminal records and court case information.
The online case search covers civil, criminal, and appellate case records. Data updates daily. Criminal case results include docket entries, party info, hearing dates, and case dispositions. A disclaimer on the site notes that documents found online do not count as official court documents. They are provided as a convenience only and the Clerk makes no warranty on their accuracy. Users accept responsibility for how they use the data. For official copies of Mercer County criminal records, visit the office in person. Under ORC 149.43, the Clerk must provide public records promptly at cost. Standard copies are $0.25 per page.
| Office | Mercer County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 N Main Street, Room 205 Celina, OH 45822 |
| Clerk | Calvin Freeman |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Celina Municipal Court Criminal Cases
The Celina Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and small claims for Mercer County. Judge Kathryn W. Speelman presides. Sara Bruggeman serves as Clerk. The court is at PO Box 362, Celina, Ohio 45822. Phone is 419.586.6491.
The Celina Municipal Court website below provides access to criminal and traffic case records searches, fine schedules, and online payments for Mercer County cases.
Online services include records search, rules of court, civil cost sheets, violation bureau fine schedules, online payments, and calendar viewing. Misdemeanor cases here include minor drug offenses, theft, assault, and disorderly conduct. Preliminary hearings for felony cases start here before being sent to Common Pleas. These records are part of the Mercer County criminal records system and can be searched online through the court website.
The violation bureau fine schedule is useful if you have a minor traffic ticket or citation in Mercer County. It shows the exact fine amounts for common offenses so you can pay without appearing in court. For more serious charges, you will need to appear before Judge Speelman. Case schedules are posted on the court calendar.
Mercer County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and runs the county jail. The office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs.
The Mercer County Sheriff's website below provides information about the office and its services for the county.
Public records requests can be made in person or by mail. The Sheriff follows Ohio's public records law. Active investigation files may be withheld until the case is closed. For state prison inmates from Mercer County, use the ODRC Offender Search tool.
Note: The Mercer County Sheriff's jail roster shows current inmates only; contact the office for historical booking records or arrest reports.
How to Search Mercer County Criminal Records
There are a few ways to look up criminal records in Mercer County. The fastest option is the online case search through the Clerk of Courts website. You can search by name or case number. Results show case type, docket entries, and dispositions. The system updates daily.
For in-person requests, go to the Clerk's office at 101 N Main Street, Room 205 in Celina. Bring a valid ID. Staff can pull up cases and make copies on the spot. Written requests by mail should include the person's full name and, if known, a date of birth or case number. Send a check or money order payable to the Mercer County Clerk of Courts for copy fees. The Celina Municipal Court also has its own online records search at celinamunicipalcourt.org for misdemeanor and traffic case lookups. Between the two systems, you can access most Mercer County criminal records without leaving your home.
Public Access to Mercer County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Mercer County are public. Ohio's Public Records Act under ORC 149.43 says anyone can view government records without giving a reason. The Clerk of Courts must respond promptly to requests.
Juvenile cases are sealed. Records expunged under ORC 2953.32 are no longer available. Eligible offenders can petition to seal their records after the waiting period passes. The filing fee is $50 plus local court costs. Not all convictions qualify for sealing. First-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, sex offenses, and violent crimes are excluded from the sealing process in Ohio. Social Security numbers and medical records are always redacted from documents before they are released to the public.
For statewide background checks, the BCI runs the WebCheck fingerprinting system. Under ORC 109.572, employers in education, healthcare, and childcare must use BCI for criminal history searches. The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association lists all 88 county clerks for cross-county record searches.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mercer County. If you need criminal records from a neighboring area, select a county below.