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Cleveland, Ohio Criminal Records

In the City of Cleveland, the county seat of Cuyahoga County, criminal records are compiled by different criminal justice agencies. At the local level, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department provide arrest details in criminal records.

Similarly, local courts like the Cleveland Municipal Court provide case records of cases heard at the courthouse. The municipal court oversees proceedings concerning ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and minor misdemeanors. Criminal records in the city contain information on an offender’s criminal history. Such records typically reveal arrest reports, custody information, and court data.

What are Cleveland Public Records?

Cleveland public records are files created, submitted to, and maintained by government agencies. Per the Ohio Public Records Act, the public may access most records in the custody of these entities. Publicly accessible records may include the following:

  • The record subject’s personal information, including name, birthdate, and address.
  • Document identifying numbers.
  • Arrest records and police reports.
  • Booking and custody information.
  • Case records.

Not all government files are accessible to the public. The state laws generally withhold information that may compromise the safety of concerned parties. Examples of non-public records in Cleveland include the following:

  • Records that are sealed or expunged by court order.
  • Juvenile records sealed under R.C. 2151.357.
  • Information that is classified under the attorney-client privilege.
  • Information that may expose the identities of security-vulnerable persons or entities.
  • Probation and parole proceedings records.

Cleveland Crime Statistics

The Cleveland Division of Police maintains an interactive dashboard for crimes reported within the city. Per the agency’s report, the city documented 11,545 crimes in 2025. The number of reported crimes varied by month and time of the day. Based on the month, the city recorded the highest number of crimes in November (3,514) and December (4,840).

Larcenies, simple assaults, destruction of property, and intimidation were the most reported crimes in the report. Larcenies and simple assaults were 1,156 and 923, respectively.

Are Cleveland Criminal Records Public?

Yes, most information in criminal records is accessible to the public in Cleveland. The public may view and obtain crime-related data, such as arrest records, inmate information, and case records.

However, criminal history files are not open to the public. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is the designated custodian of such documents and may only disclose them to legally eligible parties. Record subjects, government officials, and authorized third-party requesters may obtain criminal history files by following these steps:

  • Create an application that reveals these details:
    • The offender’s personal information.
    • A completed fingerprint card. Local law enforcement agencies may provide fingerprinting services to applicants. Note that the agencies may charge fees for fingerprinting.
  • Provide the record subject’s signed consent letter. This only applies if the requester is a third party.
  • Include a $22 money order or business check made payable to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio. Applicants may opt to pay the fees online.
  • Send the application to the Ohio BCI at any of these locations:

BCI London

1560 State Route 56 Southwest

London, Ohio 43140

BCI Bowling Green

750 North College Drive

Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

BCI Richfield

4055 Highlander Parkway

Richfield, Ohio 44286

BCI Youngstown

20 West Federal Street

Youngstown, Ohio 44503

Criminal history files are quite distinct from criminal case records. Interested parties may look up the latter in the custody of local courts, such as the Cleveland Municipal Court. The court allows online searches or in-person requests for case records. To obtain the records in-person, record seekers must visit the courthouse at this address:

1200 Ontario Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44113-1610

Phone: (216) 664-4870

How to Obtain Cleveland Police Reports and Arrest Records

The Cleveland Division of Police maintains records of police reports and arrest records generated within the city. To obtain records, record seekers may fill in relevant information on the agency’s online request portal. An alternative option is to submit a request in-person to the division of police at this address:

1300 Ontario Street

Cleveland, OH 44113

Phone: (216) 623-5000

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department is also a custodian of police reports and arrest records. Interested parties may obtain records by contacting the sheriff’s department at this address:

1215 West 3rd Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Phone: (216) 443-6000

Email: shcuy@cuyahogacounty.gov

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Cleveland

Record seekers may find sex offenders using resources provided by government entities. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department maintains a search portal for sex offenders residing in Cleveland. To view records, users must enter the offender's name, location, photograph, or email.

Alternatively, users may find sex offenders via the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website. The platform allows online searches for sex offenders residing in the city.

What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Cleveland?

Record seekers must first determine the reasons for the record denial. Agencies may refuse record requests for these reasons:

  • The record seeker does not have the legal right to access the record.
  • The record is not stored in the requested format.

Next, record seekers must send a complaint form to the agency. The agency must submit a response within three business days of receiving the form. If they are unable to comply with the request, record seekers may file a mandamus action in court or file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims at this location:

Ohio Court of Claims

Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center

65 South Front Street,

Third Floor,

Columbus, OH 43215,

Phone: (614) 387-9800

How to Expunge or Seal Cleveland Criminal Records

Per R.C. 2952.32, residents may seal or expunge criminal records by filing a petition with the court that heard the case. Petitioners may only file for expungement under these conditions:

  • They do not have a pending criminal case.
  • They have completed the sentence and fulfilled the court-mandated conditions.
  • The conviction is not for an offense listed under Division (A) of the expungement law.
  • The waiting period for expungement has elapsed. Petitioners must wait one year and ten years post-conviction to expunge misdemeanors and felonies, respectively.

The expungement petition must include the petitioner’s personal information, arrest data, and reasons for the expungement. Upon receiving the petition, the court may set up a hearing to determine the petitioner’s eligibility and to review submissions from all concerned parties.