Warrant records are public documents in Marietta, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that warrant information maintained by law enforcement agencies and courts constitutes public record, thereby ensuring citizen access to these documents. The statute specifically designates records of arrests and the filing of formal charges as public information that must be made available for inspection.
The Washington County Court of Common Pleas and Marietta Municipal Court maintain warrant records as part of their official documentation. These records typically become available to the public once they have been processed and entered into the respective court's record-keeping system. Members of the public seeking warrant information may access these records during normal business hours at the respective courthouse or, in some cases, through online portals maintained by these judicial entities.
It should be noted that certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations or matters of public safety. However, such restrictions are generally limited in scope and duration, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(h), which provides specific exemptions to public disclosure requirements.
Several official resources are available for individuals seeking to locate warrant information online in Marietta, Ohio:
Washington County Sheriff's Office 311 Third Street Marietta, OH 45750 Phone: (740) 376-7070 The Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of active warrants within their jurisdiction.
Marietta Municipal Court 259 Butler Street Marietta, OH 45750 Phone: (740) 373-4474 The court provides access to warrant information through their case management system.
Washington County Clerk of Courts 205 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750 Phone: (740) 373-6623 The Clerk's office maintains records of warrants issued by the Court of Common Pleas.
Users should be advised that online systems may not contain comprehensive warrant information, as some records may only be accessible through in-person requests. Additionally, pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 1-07, certain technical limitations may affect the availability of real-time warrant data in electronic formats.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Marietta may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
Direct Court Inquiry: Contact the Marietta Municipal Court at (740) 373-4474 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) to inquire about potential warrants. Court personnel can conduct a name-based search of their records.
Washington County Sheriff's Warrant Division: The Sheriff's Office Warrant Division, located at 311 Third Street, Marietta, OH 45750, maintains current warrant information and can be reached at (740) 376-7070, extension 3.
Legal Representation: Retain an attorney who can make formal inquiries on your behalf. The Washington County Bar Association can provide referrals to qualified local attorneys.
Online Court Records: The Marietta Municipal Court case management system allows for limited public searches, though this system may not include all warrant types.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2935.27, individuals with outstanding warrants for failure to appear may face additional penalties, including license suspension and increased fines. Therefore, prompt resolution of warrant issues is advisable.
The verification process for outstanding warrants in Marietta involves several established procedures:
In-Person Record Search: Visit the Washington County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 311 Third Street, Marietta, OH 45750, during public hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM). Proper identification is required, and a nominal fee may apply for printed records.
Telephone Verification: Contact the Marietta Police Department at (740) 376-2007 for warrant information related to city ordinance violations or misdemeanors within city limits.
Written Request: Submit a formal public records request to the appropriate agency pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1). Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and any other identifying information that may assist in the search.
Third-Party Background Services: While commercial services exist, these are not official sources and may contain outdated or incomplete information. Official verification through government agencies is recommended.
Individuals should be aware that, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 2935.03, law enforcement officers may execute an arrest based on an active warrant upon contact with the named individual, regardless of the reason for the initial contact.
Warrant records maintained by Marietta judicial authorities typically contain the following standard elements as prescribed by Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4:
Case Number: The unique identifier assigned to the court case associated with the warrant.
Subject Information: Full legal name, date of birth, last known address, physical description, and, when available, Social Security Number of the individual named in the warrant.
Warrant Classification: Designation of the warrant type (e.g., arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant) and its priority level.
Issuing Authority: The name of the judge or magistrate who authorized the warrant, along with the issuing court's jurisdiction.
Offense Details: Description of the alleged violation, including the Ohio Revised Code section or municipal ordinance number, offense classification (felony or misdemeanor), and degree.
Bond Information: The predetermined bail amount, if applicable, or notation if the subject is to be held without bond pending court appearance.
Issuance and Expiration Dates: The date the warrant was signed by the judicial officer and, if applicable, its expiration date.
Service Instructions: Special directives to law enforcement regarding execution of the warrant, including jurisdictional limitations or safety considerations.
In accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 2935.08, all warrants must be signed by the issuing authority and contain sufficient particularity regarding the offense and the person to be arrested.