Criminal records in Auglaize County, Ohio, are maintained by multiple agencies including the courts, the sheriff's office, and the county clerk. AuglaizeCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Auglaize County Common Pleas Court, the Auglaize County Municipal Court, the sheriff's office, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Records may also be requested in person at the clerk's office or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Auglaize
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Auglaize County. The approach you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- AuglaizeCourt.us — Search publicly available court record information for Auglaize County criminal cases.
- Auglaize County Sheriff Inmate Lookup — View current inmates held at the Auglaize County Jail. Note that a Certificate of Arrest is provided by the arresting agency and may not reflect actual charges filed by the prosecutor.
- Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search — Look up individuals serving state prison sentences, including those with Auglaize County convictions.
- Ohio Supreme Court case search — The Supreme Court of Ohio maintains an online case search tool for courts that participate in electronic reporting.
In Person
- Visit the Auglaize County Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Wapakoneta to search criminal case records using public access terminals or request assistance from clerk staff.
- The Auglaize County Municipal Court clerk's office also handles criminal and traffic case records for cases within its jurisdiction.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Auglaize County Clerk of Courts for copies of specific criminal case records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). BCI requires a completed BCI criminal records check form and a set of fingerprints for most background check requests.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if available)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Auglaize Criminal Cases by Case Number
Ohio courts use a standardized case number format. Understanding the structure helps you locate records faster.
A typical Auglaize County case number follows this pattern:
- Year prefix — The two-digit or four-digit year the case was filed (e.g., "99" or "2023").
- Case type code — A letter or letter combination indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- CR — Criminal (felony-level cases in Common Pleas Court)
- CRB — Criminal misdemeanor (Municipal Court)
- TRC — Traffic criminal (e.g., OVI/DUI)
- TRD — Traffic non-criminal
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed that year.
For example, a case number like "2023 CR 00045" indicates a felony criminal case filed in 2023, the 45th case of that type filed that year. When searching online or requesting records, enter the case number exactly as formatted, including any leading zeros.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Auglaize
Criminal case records in Auglaize County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Ohio Revised Code section the defendant is accused of violating (e.g., ORC 2913.02 for theft). |
| Severity level | Felonies are graded from first degree (most serious) to fifth degree. Misdemeanors range from first degree to minor misdemeanor. |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may amend original charges. The final charge may differ from the initial arrest charge. |
| Counts | The number of separate offenses charged in a single case. |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All obligations, including sentencing terms, have been fulfilled.
Hearings
- Arraignment — The defendant's first court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases).
- Pre-trial — Attorneys discuss case issues; plea negotiations often occur here.
- Trial — The case is presented before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearings to monitor compliance with probation or court orders.
Court Results
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict.
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The court or prosecutor dropped the charges.
- No contest (nolo contendere) — The defendant did not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes.
- Sealed/Expunged — Under Ohio law (ORC 2953.32), eligible records may be sealed from public view upon application.
The Auglaize County Municipal Court Local Rules govern procedural aspects of criminal and traffic cases handled by that court.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Auglaize
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. Here is how to obtain them:
Auglaize County Clerk of Courts (Common Pleas)
Felony case records are maintained by the Common Pleas Court Clerk. You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or by phone.
Auglaize County Municipal Court Clerk
Misdemeanor and traffic criminal records are handled by the Municipal Court Clerk.
What You Need
- A written request specifying the case number or defendant name and date of birth
- A valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order for mail requests)
Ohio BCI Background Checks
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history, submit a request through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. BCI checks typically require a completed WebCheck fingerprint submission, available at authorized locations throughout Ohio. The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office may be able to direct you to local fingerprinting services.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Auglaize
Fees vary depending on the type of record and the issuing office. The table below reflects general fee ranges based on Ohio statutory guidelines and common county practices. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm current amounts.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page | Per ORC 2303.20; certification fee may apply |
| Certification fee | $1.00–$5.00 | Added to per-page copy cost for the court seal |
| Non-certified copy | $0.05–$0.25 per page | Varies by office |
| Ohio BCI background check | $22.00 (Ohio) / $24.00 (FBI add-on) | WebCheck electronic submission; fees subject to change |
| Sheriff's office records request | Varies | Contact the sheriff's office for current fee schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within one to two business days.
- Mail requests — Allow five to ten business days for processing, plus mailing time.
- BCI WebCheck — Electronic results are typically returned within three to five business days.
For the most current fee and processing information, contact the Auglaize County office handling your request. Fees are generally payable by cash, check, or money order; some offices may accept credit cards for in-person transactions.