Scioto County Public Records /Scioto County Criminal Records

Scioto County Criminal Records

What Is Scioto County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Scioto County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes the framework for public records in the state.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, representing final judgments in criminal cases
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, which are generally public
Juvenile Records: Records for offenders under 18, which are typically sealed and confidential under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.358
Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal proceedings and outcomes

Multiple agencies maintain these records in Scioto County:

Scioto County Sheriff's Office
1025 16th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8261
Scioto County Sheriff's Office

Scioto County Court of Common Pleas
602 7th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8208
Scioto County Court of Common Pleas

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1560 State Route 56 SW
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2000
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Criminal records typically document the full progression of a case, including charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in Scioto County.

Are Criminal Records Public In Scioto County

Criminal records in Scioto County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act, codified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. This statute establishes that "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."

The law defines public records as any records kept by a public office that document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office. Under this definition, most criminal records maintained by Scioto County agencies fall within the scope of public records.

Records that are publicly accessible include:

Adult arrest records
Court proceedings and case files
Conviction records
Sentencing information
Jail records
Sex offender registry information

However, certain categories of criminal records are exempt from public disclosure or have restricted access:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Records sealed by court order pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records expunged under Ohio law
Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest
Records containing confidential law enforcement investigatory techniques

The Ohio Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access criminal records, noting in State ex rel. Cincinnati Enquirer v. Hamilton County (2001) that "public records are the people's records, and officials in whose custody they happen to be are merely trustees for the people."

Individuals seeking criminal records in Scioto County may be required to submit formal requests and provide identification. While the law permits reasonable fees for copies of records, it does not allow charging for inspection of records during regular business hours.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Scioto County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Scioto County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Scioto County Clerk of Courts
602 7th Street, Room 105
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8208
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Scioto County Clerk of Courts

When requesting records in person, requestors should:

Complete a public records request form (available at the clerk's office)
Provide the full name of the subject and, if possible, date of birth
Specify the type of records being sought (e.g., felony cases, misdemeanors, specific case numbers)
Present valid photo identification
Pay applicable copy fees ($0.25 per page currently)

For mail requests, individuals should send a written request including:

Subject's full name and date of birth
Specific records being requested
Requestor's contact information
Self-addressed stamped envelope
Check or money order for applicable fees

Mail requests should be addressed to:

Scioto County Clerk of Courts
Records Request Department
602 7th Street, Room 105
Portsmouth, OH 45662

For criminal records maintained by law enforcement:

Scioto County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
1025 16th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8261
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Scioto County Sheriff's Office

For statewide criminal history information, individuals may contact:

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Criminal Records Division
1560 State Route 56 SW
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2000
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation

BCI provides comprehensive background checks for a fee of $22 for civilian checks and $25 for those sent to the FBI. These checks require fingerprinting and proper identification.

How To Find Criminal Records in Scioto County Online?

Scioto County offers several digital platforms that provide public access to criminal records information. These online resources vary in scope and detail but offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests.

The primary online portal for court records in Scioto County is:

Scioto County Clerk of Courts Public Access System
This system allows users to search court cases by name, case number, or filing date. The database includes criminal, civil, domestic relations, and probate cases. Scioto County Courts Public Records Search

To use this system effectively:

Navigate to the website
Select "Criminal Case Search" from the menu options
Enter search criteria (last name, first name, or case number)
Review search results showing case numbers, filing dates, and case types
Select individual cases to view detailed information including charges, hearings, and dispositions

Additional online resources include:

Scioto County Sheriff's Inmate Search
This database provides information on currently incarcerated individuals in the Scioto County Jail, including booking date, charges, and bond information. Scioto County Jail Inmate Roster

Ohio Courts Network (OCN)
This statewide system provides a centralized warehouse of information from courts across Ohio, including Scioto County. Ohio Courts Network

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search
This database contains information on individuals currently incarcerated in state prisons or under community supervision. ODRC Offender Search

Ohio Sex Offender Registry
Maintained by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, this database provides information on registered sex offenders residing in Scioto County. Ohio Sex Offender Registry

Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive. Some documents may only be available through in-person requests, particularly older records that have not been digitized. Additionally, sealed or expunged records will not appear in public online searches pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32.

Can You Search Scioto County Criminal Records for Free?

Scioto County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, in accordance with Ohio's Public Records Law (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This statute provides that "a public office or person responsible for public records shall make copies of the requested public record available at cost."

Free inspection options include:

In-Person Inspection
The law guarantees the right to inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. Individuals may visit the following locations to view records without paying fees:

Scioto County Clerk of Courts
602 7th Street, Room 105
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8208
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Scioto County Clerk of Courts

Scioto County Law Library
602 7th Street, 2nd Floor
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8218
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Free Online Resources
Several digital platforms provide free access to criminal record information:

Scioto County Courts Public Records Search - Provides free access to basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status
Scioto County Sheriff's Inmate Search - Offers free lookup of current jail inmates
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search - Provides free information on state prisoners and those under community supervision

While inspection is free, fees may apply for:

Photocopies of records (typically $0.25 per page)
Certified copies of court documents ($1.00 per certification)
Extensive record searches requiring staff research time
Background checks through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation ($22-$25)
Expedited processing

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that while reasonable copy fees are permissible, excessive fees that create barriers to access violate the spirit of the Public Records Law. In State ex rel. Data Trace Information Services v. Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer (2010), the court held that fees must reflect actual costs and cannot include staff time for routine record provision.

What's Included in a Scioto County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Scioto County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail/bond amount and status
Detention facility information

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (Municipal Court or Court of Common Pleas)
Assigned judge
Formal charges filed with Ohio Revised Code statute numbers
Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor level)
Plea information
Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
Pre-trial motions and rulings
Trial information (if applicable)

Disposition and Sentencing:

Verdict or plea outcome
Conviction date
Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protection or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/OVI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history summary

The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on the age of the case and the maintaining agency. More recent records typically contain more detailed information due to improved record-keeping systems. Records maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation may provide a more complete statewide criminal history than county-level records alone.

Certain information may be redacted from public records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and information related to victims of certain crimes, particularly minors and victims of sexual offenses.

How Long Does Scioto County Keep Criminal Records?

Scioto County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Ohio law. The Ohio Revised Code § 149.39 requires each county to establish a records commission that determines how long various public records must be retained.

Criminal records in Scioto County are generally retained according to the following schedule:

Felony Case Files:

Capital punishment cases: Permanent retention
First and second-degree felonies: 50 years after final disposition
Third, fourth, and fifth-degree felonies: 25 years after final disposition

Misdemeanor Case Files:

First and second-degree misdemeanors: 5 years after final disposition
Third and fourth-degree misdemeanors: 3 years after final disposition
Minor misdemeanors: 2 years after final disposition

Arrest Records:

Felony arrests resulting in charges: Retained with corresponding case file
Felony arrests not resulting in charges: 5 years
Misdemeanor arrests: 2 years

Jail Records:

Booking information: 10 years
Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
Jail logs and daily reports: 5 years

Court Dockets and Indexes:

Criminal court dockets: Permanent retention
Indexes to criminal cases: Permanent retention

Probation Records:

Felony probation files: 10 years after termination of probation
Misdemeanor probation files: 5 years after termination of probation

These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records are kept longer, particularly those maintained in electronic format. Additionally, records of significant historical or legal importance may be preserved permanently in the Scioto County Archives.

It's important to note that even after physical records are destroyed according to retention schedules, information about criminal cases may still exist in electronic databases, private background check companies, and news archives. Furthermore, records that have been sealed or expunged under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 are removed from public access but may still be maintained for limited official use.

The Ohio Historical Society and State Archives may also preserve certain criminal records of historical significance beyond local retention periods.

Lookup Criminal Records in Scioto County

Adult Rights Restoration & Record Sealing

Ohio Record Sealing and Expungement Laws

Ohio Justice Policy Center's Guide for Adult Record Sealing

Expungement Process Information

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Records