Summit County Criminal History

Summit County criminal history records are managed through the courthouse system in Akron, Ohio. The Clerk of Courts Criminal Division handles all felony case records from the Common Pleas Court, while misdemeanor cases go through the Akron, Barberton, and Stow Municipal Courts. Summit County is one of Ohio's largest counties by population, so the court system processes a high volume of criminal cases. To search for records, you can visit the clerk in person, use online tools, or call the office. Most criminal records in Summit County are public and open to all.

Summit County Clerk Criminal Division

The Summit County Clerk of Courts Criminal Division handles all felony case records. The office is at 205 S. High St., 1st Floor, Akron, OH 44308. Phone is 330-643-2211. Clerk Tavia Galonski heads the office. The criminal division files and stores records for every felony case that moves through the Summit County Common Pleas Court. This includes charges, plea entries, motions, hearing dates, bond information, and case dispositions. The office also reports dispositions to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in a timely manner.

Filing requirements are specific in Summit County. For motions, orders, and pleadings, you need the original plus two copies if filing over the counter. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys. Subpoenas also require e-filing for attorneys. For expungement and sealing applications, the fee is $50 and you need the original plus four copies if filing in person. A probation department investigation follows every expungement request.

Copies of court documents cost $0.10 per page for standard prints and computer docket printouts. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. You can pay court costs, restitution, and probation fees at the criminal division. Make payments to Summit County Clerk of Courts at the criminal division address. Personal checks are not accepted for appearance bonds. Credit cards are accepted. There is an $85 state fee on all bonds except signature and recognizance bonds.

Summit County Court Records Search

The Summit County Court Records Search tool lets you look up cases online. You can search by name, case number, or date filed. The records show detailed information including charges, hearing timelines, arrest dates, mug shots, physical descriptions, the offender's attorney, and the judge hearing the case. This covers both clerk of courts records and municipal court records. It does not include US District Court records.

Under ORC 149.43, criminal court records are public. Anyone can search them. You do not need to give a reason. The online tool is one of the better county-level search systems in Ohio. For records not available online, visit the clerk's office in Akron.

Summit County Common Pleas Court

The Summit County Court of Common Pleas is the court of general jurisdiction for the county. It handles both criminal and civil cases. The courthouse is at 209 S. High, 1st Floor, Akron, OH 44308. Phone is 330-643-2211. The court offers a case search tool, juror information, and details on the felony appointment process. Virtual access to trials is also available. Historical records searches can be done through the court as well.

The General Division of Common Pleas includes adult probation services. If someone is on felony probation in Summit County, their probation is managed through this division. The court has a fee application process for those who can not afford court costs. This went into effect in April 2021.

Summit County Municipal Courts

Misdemeanor cases in Summit County do not go through Common Pleas. They are split among three municipal courts. The Akron Municipal Court is at 172 S Broadway St, Akron, OH 44308. Phone is 330-375-2120. The Barberton Municipal Court is at 576 W Park Avenue, Room 205, Barberton, OH 44203. Phone is 330-753-2261. The Stow Municipal Court is at 4400 Courthouse Boulevard, Stow, OH 44224. Phone is 330-564-4200. Some cases may also fall under Mayor's Courts in smaller communities within the county.

Each municipal court keeps its own records. If you are looking for a misdemeanor case in Summit County, you need to know which court handled it. The online records search may cover some municipal court data, but for a complete check you should contact the specific court directly.

Background Checks in Summit County

Summit County has clear fees for background checks. A combined BCI and FBI fingerprint check costs $60. An FBI-only check is $34. A BCI-only check is $32. These are processed through the clerk's criminal division or through WebCheck providers in the area. The WebCheck system through the Attorney General handles the fingerprinting. Find a local provider on the community listing page.

The ODRC Offender Search is free and covers state prison inmates. Search by name or county. It does not cover people in the Summit County Jail or on local probation. For federal cases tried in Akron, the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is at 2 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44308. Phone is 330-252-6000. Federal court records are separate from state records and require a different search.

Expungement in Summit County

Record sealing in Summit County follows a specific process. Under ORC 2953.32, you file an application with the clerk's criminal division. The fee is $50. You need the original plus four copies if filing over the counter. Attorneys must e-file. After filing, the probation department conducts an investigation. Then the court schedules a hearing. The judge decides if the conviction should be sealed based on the offense type, sentence completion, and conduct since the conviction.

Not all crimes qualify. Violent offenses and sex crimes are generally not eligible. If the court grants the seal, the record is pulled from public view. Law enforcement can still access sealed records in certain situations. The process takes several weeks from filing to decision in most cases.

Public Records in Summit County

Ohio's Sunshine Laws protect your right to access records. Any Summit County office must respond to requests in a reasonable time. Denials must include a legal citation. Criminal court records are almost always public.

The eSORN sex offender registry runs under ORC Chapter 2950. Search by name, county, or zip code. The Summit County Sheriff handles compliance for all registered offenders in the county.

Cities in Summit County

Summit County includes several cities. Akron is the county seat and largest city. Cuyahoga Falls is another major city in the county. Criminal cases for residents of these cities go through Summit County courts for felonies.

Nearby Counties With Criminal Records

Criminal records stay in the county where the case was filed. Contact the neighboring county's clerk if you need records from outside Summit County.