Logan County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Logan County
Arrest records in Logan County, Ohio, are generally considered public records under Ohio law. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act, governmental bodies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, including the Logan County Sheriff's Office, fall within the definition of public records and are accessible to members of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under current Ohio law, individuals who are arrested but not convicted may pursue legal remedies to limit public access to those records. The Logan County Sheriff's Office serves as the chief law enforcement authority in the county and maintains arrest and incident documentation in accordance with state records law.
What's in Logan County Arrest Records
Logan County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custody process. The following categories represent the information typically documented in an arrest record:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Logan County Sheriff's Office, municipal police department)
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Ohio Revised Code section(s) cited
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or minor misdemeanor)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned at intake
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was processed
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, surety, cash)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, denied)
Court Information:
- Assigned court and case number
- Scheduled hearing or arraignment dates
- Presiding judge or magistrate
Custody Status:
- Current incarceration status
- Release date if applicable
- Transfer information if moved to another facility
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Prior arrest history referenced in the record
- Incident or offense report number linked to the arrest
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Logan County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Logan County arrest records through several official channels. The process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes the right of access and the procedures agencies must follow when responding to public records requests.
To request arrest records from the Logan County Sheriff's Office, members of the public should follow these steps:
- Identify the record type needed. Determine whether the request involves an offense report, crash report, or booking record, as each may be processed through a different office or procedure.
- Contact the Records Division. Crash reports and offense reports may be requested by contacting the Sheriff's Office by telephone at 937-592-5781 or by emailing Beth Lantz at blantz@co.logan.oh.us.
- Submit a written public records request if required. While Ohio law does not mandate that requests be submitted in writing, doing so creates a clear record of the request and the information sought.
- Pay applicable fees. Charges may apply for copies of reports. The agency is authorized to charge the actual cost of duplication pursuant to state law.
- Allow processing time. Agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable period of time under Ohio law.
Logan County Sheriff's Office 301 E. Columbus Ave. Bellefontaine, OH 43311 Phone: 937-592-5781 Logan County Sheriff's Office
Logan County Common Pleas Court 101 S. Main St. Bellefontaine, OH 43311 Phone: 937-599-7275 Logan County Common Pleas Court
How To Find Logan County Arrest Records Online
Several official online resources currently provide access to Logan County arrest and custody information without requiring an in-person visit.
- Logan County Inmate Roster: The Logan County Sheriff's Office maintains current inmate information through its corrections division. Members of the public may access the Logan County inmate roster by downloading the free Logan County Sheriff's Office mobile application, which provides real-time custody data.
- Ohio Courts Network: The Ohio Supreme Court's online case search tool allows members of the public to search for case information, including criminal filings, by name or case number across participating Ohio courts.
- Ohio Attorney General's Offender Search: The Ohio Attorney General's Sex Offender Search provides publicly accessible information on registered sex offenders, including those residing in Logan County.
- PACER (Federal Cases): For federal criminal matters, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system provides access to federal court documents, including arrest and charging information.
How To Search Logan County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Logan County arrest records at no cost through the following methods:
- In-person inspection at the Sheriff's Office: Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Online inmate roster: The Logan County corrections division provides free access to current custody information through its inmate roster portal and mobile application.
- Ohio Courts Network: Basic case information, including criminal case filings and dispositions, is available at no cost through the Ohio Courts Network's public search interface.
- Clerk of Courts: The Logan County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal case records that are open to public inspection during regular business hours at no charge for viewing.
Logan County Clerk of Courts 101 S. Main St., Suite 1 Bellefontaine, OH 43311 Phone: 937-599-7275 Logan County Clerk of Courts
How To Delete Arrest Records in Logan County
Ohio law provides two distinct legal remedies for individuals seeking to limit public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for authorized use). These remedies are not identical, and eligibility depends on the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case.
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Sealing restricts public access to a criminal record but does not destroy it. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing authorities.
- Expungement results in the physical destruction of the record and is available in more limited circumstances under Ohio law.
Eligibility for Sealing or Expungement: Under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52, individuals who were arrested but not convicted—including cases that were dismissed, resulted in a not-guilty verdict, or were no-billed by a grand jury—may apply to have their records sealed. Additionally, certain first-time offenders who were convicted may be eligible for sealing after a mandatory waiting period.
Steps to Pursue Sealing or Expungement:
- Determine eligibility based on the offense type, conviction status, and time elapsed since the case concluded.
- File an application with the Logan County Common Pleas Court in the jurisdiction where the arrest or conviction occurred.
- Pay the applicable filing fee, which varies by court.
- Attend a scheduled hearing at which the court will consider the application and any objections from the prosecuting attorney.
- If granted, the court issues a sealing or expungement order, and all relevant agencies are notified to restrict or destroy the record accordingly.
What Happens After Arrest in Logan County?
The criminal justice process in Logan County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest: A law enforcement officer takes an individual into custody based on probable cause, a warrant, or observation of a criminal offense.
- Booking: The individual is transported to the Logan County Jail, where personal information, fingerprints, and photographs are recorded. The current Logan County Jail facility was opened to serve the community and is administered by the Logan County corrections division.
- Initial Appearance/Arraignment: The individual appears before a judge or magistrate, is informed of the charges, and bail or bond conditions are set.
- Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, the case proceeds to a preliminary hearing or grand jury review to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
- Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, motions practice, and potential plea negotiations.
- Trial or Plea: The case is resolved either through a guilty plea, a bench trial, or a jury trial.
- Sentencing: If the individual is found guilty or pleads guilty, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Ohio sentencing guidelines.
- Post-Conviction Remedies: Individuals may pursue appeals, post-conviction relief, or record sealing as permitted by law.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Logan County?
Arrest records in Logan County are retained in accordance with schedules established under Ohio law and applicable administrative rules. The Ohio Historical Society's Local Government Records Program and the Ohio Auditor of State provide guidance on mandatory retention periods for county government records.
Under current Ohio administrative rules, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period that varies based on the nature of the offense:
- Felony arrest records are typically retained for a minimum of 25 years or permanently in cases involving serious or violent offenses.
- Misdemeanor arrest records are generally retained for a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the offense classification.
- Records associated with unsolved cases may be retained indefinitely to preserve evidentiary value.
Different agencies within Logan County—including the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, and the prosecuting attorney's office—maintain separate record sets and may apply different retention schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Individuals seeking to confirm the retention status of a specific record should direct inquiries to the custodial agency.
How to Find Mugshots in Logan County
What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photograph taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and document the physical appearance of an individual at the time of custody.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots taken in Logan County are maintained by the Logan County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking record. The corrections division retains these photographs as part of the inmate file created at intake.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public seeking access to a specific mugshot may submit a public records request to the Logan County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be made by telephone, email, or in writing, consistent with the procedures outlined for obtaining report copies from the Sheriff's Office.
Can They Be Found Online At present, the Logan County Sheriff's Office does not maintain a publicly searchable online mugshot database. However, current inmate photographs may be accessible through the Logan County Sheriff's Office mobile application, which provides access to the active inmate roster.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain a mugshot through official channels, members of the public should contact:
Logan County Sheriff's Office – Records Division 301 E. Columbus Ave. Bellefontaine, OH 43311 Phone: 937-592-5781 Logan County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though members of the public are advised to confirm current hours directly with the office prior to visiting.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Certain mugshots may be exempt from public disclosure. Records involving juvenile arrestees are generally not subject to public access under Ohio law. Additionally, if an arrest record has been sealed or expunged pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.52, the associated mugshot is likewise restricted from public disclosure.