Logan County Criminal History

Logan County criminal history records are kept by the Clerk of Courts in Bellefontaine. The clerk handles all felony case files from the Court of Common Pleas, and the Logan County Sheriff's Office holds arrest reports and booking data. You can search for criminal cases in person at the courthouse or use state tools that pull records from across Ohio. The WebCheck system and BCI provide statewide background checks, while the ODRC Offender Search covers state inmates. This page explains where Logan County criminal records are held and how to get them.

Logan County Clerk of Courts Records

The Logan County Clerk of Courts is at 101 South Main Avenue in Bellefontaine, OH 43311. Call the office at (937) 599-7205. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk manages all felony criminal case records filed in the Logan County Court of Common Pleas. That includes charges, pleas, motions, hearing dates, sentencing orders, and final outcomes. You can walk in during business hours to search for a case by name or case number. Staff are there to help.

Copies of court documents run about $0.25 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost more. You can pay at the counter with cash or check. Under ORC 149.43, all public records are open for inspection. You do not have to give a reason for your request. You do not have to say who you are. The clerk must respond within a reasonable time. If they refuse, the law requires them to cite a specific exemption.

Logan County does not currently run a major online case search portal. For most criminal record searches, contacting the clerk by phone or going to the courthouse in person is the best approach. Some case data may show up in statewide court databases, but the clerk has the most complete files.

Background Checks for Logan County

A statewide Ohio criminal history check goes through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. BCI keeps records from all 88 Ohio counties, including Logan. The WebCheck system handles electronic fingerprint submissions. You visit a WebCheck provider, get your fingerprints scanned, and the data goes to BCI for a search. A BCI-only check costs $22 to $45. An FBI national check adds more. Electronic results come back in hours to a few days.

Find WebCheck providers near Bellefontaine on the community listing page. Some locations take walk-ins. Others require appointments. Bring a valid photo ID. The Logan County Sheriff's Office may offer fingerprinting on site, but call first to check. Paper fingerprint cards mailed to BCI can take 30 to 45 days to process.

The ODRC runs an offender search tool that lets you look up state prison inmates across Ohio.

That tool is free and covers anyone in a state facility or under state supervision.

Logan County Sheriff Criminal Records

The Logan County Sheriff's Office holds its own set of criminal records, separate from the clerk. These include arrest reports, booking logs, and warrant data. If you need to check on a recent arrest or find out about an active warrant, the sheriff is the right contact. The sheriff's records cover the law enforcement side, while the clerk covers the court side. Walk-in requests are taken during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID.

For a full criminal history that goes beyond Logan County, the sheriff can direct you to the nearest WebCheck provider. Some sheriff's offices handle WebCheck fingerprinting themselves. Fees for local record checks vary. The sheriff also manages compliance and verification for registered sex offenders in Logan County under ORC Chapter 2950.

Logan County Court System

Logan County has a Court of Common Pleas for felony criminal cases and the Bellefontaine Municipal Court for misdemeanors and traffic offenses. The two courts have separate records systems. If you search Common Pleas and don't find a case, check the municipal court. It could be a misdemeanor that stayed at the lower court level. Both courts are in Bellefontaine.

The Common Pleas judge hears all serious criminal matters: drug offenses, assaults, thefts, fraud, and other felonies. The municipal court handles lesser charges and also does preliminary hearings on some felony cases before they go to Common Pleas. Court dockets in Logan County list charges, hearing dates, attorneys, bond amounts, and outcomes. Felony records are kept permanently. Misdemeanor records stay on file for varying periods.

The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association keeps a directory of all county clerks if you need to reach another office for a related case.

Sealing Records and Public Access

Ohio allows some people to seal criminal records under ORC 2953.32. You file the application with the Logan County Court of Common Pleas and pay a fee, typically $50. The judge looks at the offense type, how long ago it happened, and your record since the conviction. Not all crimes qualify. Violent offenses and sex crimes are usually excluded. If the court grants sealing, the record is removed from public view but not destroyed. Law enforcement retains access in certain situations.

Ohio's public records law under ORC 149.43 gives everyone access to government records. You can request criminal case files from Logan County without giving your name or reason. The Sunshine Laws page on the Attorney General's site explains your rights and how to file a complaint if a public office denies a valid request. Damages of $100 per business day up to $1,000 can be awarded for wrongful denials.

The ODRC Offender Search is another free resource. It covers state prison inmates and people under state supervision. You can search by name, offender number, or county. Logan County Jail inmates do not appear in this tool. Contact the sheriff for local jail data.

Nearby Counties

If a criminal case was filed outside Logan County, you will need to contact the clerk in that county. Records stay where the case was heard.