Butler County Criminal Records

What Is Butler County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Butler County, Ohio constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county 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 apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
• Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
• Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more
• 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, generally accessible to the public
• Juvenile Records: Records for offenders under 18, which are typically sealed and subject to restricted access 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 criminal records in Butler County, each responsible for different aspects of the criminal justice process:

Butler County Sheriff's Office
705 Hanover Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-785-1000
Butler County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.

Butler County Clerk of Courts
315 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-887-3278
Butler County Clerk of Courts

The Clerk's Office maintains court case records, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.

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

The state-level agency maintains comprehensive criminal history information for individuals across Ohio.

Criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition, including:

• Charges filed
• Arraignment proceedings
• Plea information
• Trial records
• Sentencing details
• Probation and parole information

These records serve essential functions in the administration of justice, background checks, and public safety initiatives throughout Butler County.

Are Criminal Records Public In Butler County

Criminal records in Butler County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act, which establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection. The Act states that "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."

Under current Ohio law, adult criminal records maintained by Butler County agencies are considered public records with certain exceptions. The public status of these records enables citizens to:

• Monitor the functioning of the criminal justice system
• Conduct background checks for employment or housing
• Research criminal activity in their communities
• Verify information about specific individuals

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several categories of records are subject to restricted access:

• Ongoing investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure until the investigation concludes
• Sealed records: Criminal records that have been officially sealed by court order pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 are removed from public access
• Expunged records: Records that have been expunged are treated as if they never existed and are not available to the public
• Juvenile records: Records involving offenders under 18 years of age are generally not public, with limited exceptions for serious offenses
• Grand jury proceedings: Records of grand jury deliberations remain confidential
• Certain victim information: Personal identifying information of crime victims may be redacted

The Butler County Clerk of Courts maintains public criminal case records in accordance with state law. While the presumption favors disclosure, the county must balance transparency with privacy concerns and the integrity of the justice system.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while many records are publicly available, certain information may be redacted or withheld based on statutory exemptions or court orders.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Butler County in 2026

Members of the public may access Butler County criminal records through several established channels. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal record information:

In-Person Requests at the Clerk's Office

1. Visit the Butler County Clerk of Courts during regular business hours:

Butler County Clerk of Courts
315 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-887-3278
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Butler County Clerk of Courts

2. Complete a public records request form, available at the service counter
3. Provide specific information about the records sought, including:
   • Full name of the individual
   • Date of birth (if known)
   • Case number (if available)
4. Pay applicable copy fees ($0.25 per page for standard copies)
5. Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records

Mail Requests

1. Submit a written request to:

Butler County Clerk of Courts
Records Request Department
315 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011

2. Include in your letter:
   • Specific records requested
   • Contact information for response
   • Payment for anticipated copy fees

Online Access

1. Visit the Butler County Area Courts Record Search portal
2. Select the appropriate search parameters:
   • Name search (last name, first name)
   • Case number search
   • Date range search
3. Review search results showing case summaries
4. Select specific cases to view detailed information
5. Print or save electronic copies as needed

Criminal Background Checks

For official criminal background checks:

1. Visit the Butler County Sheriff's Office:

Butler County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
705 Hanover Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-785-1000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

2. Complete the background check request form
3. Provide valid government-issued photo identification
4. Pay the required fee ($25 for standard background checks)
5. Receive results (typically available within 3-5 business days)

For comprehensive statewide criminal history information, requesters may contact:

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

How To Find Criminal Records in Butler County Online?

Butler County provides several online portals that allow members of the public to access criminal records electronically. These digital resources offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests at government offices.

Butler County Area Courts Record Search

The Butler County Area Courts Record Search serves as the primary online portal for accessing court case information, including criminal cases. Users may:

• Search by defendant name (last name, first name)
• Search by case number
• Filter results by case type (criminal, traffic, civil)
• View case summaries showing charges, hearing dates, and disposition
• Access docket entries showing the chronological history of court filings
• View limited case documents (not all documents are available online)

No registration is required to use this public access system, though users must agree to the terms of service before conducting searches.

Butler County Clerk of Courts Online Records

The Butler County Clerk of Courts maintains an online system for accessing Common Pleas Court records, including felony cases. This system provides:

• Case search functionality by name or case number
• Docket information for criminal proceedings
• Case status updates
• Scheduled court dates
• Limited document access

Users should note that while basic case information is available, many court documents must still be requested in person.

Butler County Sheriff's Inmate Search

The Butler County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that allows users to:

• View current jail population
• Search for specific inmates by name
• Access booking information
• View charges and bond amounts
• Check scheduled release dates (when available)

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search

For information about individuals currently incarcerated in state prisons or under community supervision, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search provides:

• Offender location information
• Conviction details
• Sentence information
• Release eligibility dates
• Supervision status

Users should be aware of the following limitations of online record searches:

• Not all criminal records are available online
• Older records may only be accessible in person
• Sealed or expunged records will not appear in online searches
• Some sensitive information may be redacted from online records
• Document images may require in-person requests

For the most comprehensive criminal record information, combining online searches with in-person requests at the appropriate agencies is recommended.

Can You Search Butler County Criminal Records for Free?

Butler County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, in accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act. The statute provides that "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."

Free In-Person Inspection

The following locations offer free on-site inspection of criminal records:

Butler County Clerk of Courts
315 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-887-3278
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Butler County Clerk of Courts

Visitors may:

• Review case files at public terminals
• Examine court dockets
• View non-confidential court documents
• Take notes on case information

Butler County Law Library
315 High Street, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-887-3455
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The law library provides:

• Public access computers for legal research
• Access to court case databases
• Reference assistance for locating records

Free Online Resources

Butler County maintains several free online portals for criminal record searches:

• Butler County Area Courts Record Search - Provides free access to criminal case information for Area Courts
• Butler County Clerk of Courts - Offers free basic case information for Common Pleas Court cases
• Butler County Sheriff's Inmate Search - Allows free searches of current jail population

Costs for Copies and Certified Records

While inspection is free, fees apply for:

• Paper copies ($0.25 per page)
• Certified copies ($1.00 per certification plus copy costs)
• Background check reports ($25 for standard reports)
• Extensive record searches requiring staff research time

The Butler County Clerk of Courts may waive fees in cases of financial hardship or when the request serves a public interest, though such waivers are granted at the Clerk's discretion.

For individuals seeking comprehensive criminal history information, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation provides background checks for a fee, with reduced rates available for certain volunteer organizations.

What's Included in a Butler County Criminal Record?

Butler County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local 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 or booking photograph
• Last known address
• State Identification (SID) number
• FBI number (if applicable)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Booking number
• Initial charges filed
• Bail or bond amount
• Detention facility information
• Arresting officer's name and badge number
• Arrest circumstances summary

Court Case Information

• Case number
• Court of jurisdiction (Common Pleas or Area Court)
• Filing date
• Formal charges filed
• Statutory citations and offense levels (felony class or misdemeanor class)
• Plea information
• Defense attorney information
• Prosecutor assigned
• Judge presiding over the case
• Pre-trial motions and rulings
• Trial information (if applicable)

Disposition and Sentencing

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

Additional Information

• Active warrants
• Protection or restraining orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Veterans Court, etc.)
• DUI/OVI history
• Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
• Pending charges in other jurisdictions

The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on case complexity and age. Records maintained by the Butler County Clerk of Courts generally provide the most complete documentation of criminal proceedings within the county.

Certain information may be redacted from public records to protect sensitive data, including:

• Social Security numbers
• Financial account information
• Certain victim information in sensitive cases
• Information sealed by court order

For the most accurate and complete criminal record information, interested parties should consult multiple sources, including court records, law enforcement records, and state criminal history repositories.

How Long Does Butler County Keep Criminal Records?

Butler County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Ohio Revised Code § 149.39, which governs records management for county offices. The retention periods vary based on record type, case severity, and disposition.

Felony Case Records

• Capital offense cases: Permanent retention
• First and second-degree felonies: 50 years after case closure
• Third, fourth, and fifth-degree felonies: 25 years after case closure
• Dismissed felony cases: 5 years after dismissal

Misdemeanor Case Records

• First-degree misdemeanors: 10 years after case closure
• Second, third, and fourth-degree misdemeanors: 5 years after case closure
• Minor misdemeanors: 3 years after case closure
• Dismissed misdemeanor cases: 2 years after dismissal

Arrest Records

• Arrests resulting in charges: Retained with corresponding case file
• Arrests without charges: 2 years from date of arrest
• Booking photographs: 7 years from date of booking

Probation Records

• Felony probation: 10 years after probation completion
• Misdemeanor probation: 5 years after probation completion

Court Dockets and Indexes

• Criminal docket books: Permanent retention
• Case indexes: Permanent retention
• Judge's bench books: Permanent retention

Evidence and Exhibits

• Capital cases: Permanent retention
• Non-capital felonies: Until all appeals exhausted plus 5 years
• Misdemeanors: Until all appeals exhausted plus 2 years

The Butler County Records Commission may authorize longer retention periods for cases of historical significance or ongoing legal importance. Additionally, while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period, electronic indexes and basic case information may be maintained indefinitely.

It is important to note that even after county-level records are destroyed according to retention schedules, information about criminal cases may still exist in:

• State criminal history repositories maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Federal databases for serious offenses
• Private background check company databases that previously collected the information

Records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32 are removed from public access but may be maintained under restricted access for law enforcement purposes according to statutory requirements.

Lookup Criminal Records in Butler County

Butler County Clerk of Courts

Butler County Area Courts Record Search

Butler County Area Courts

Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search