Franklin County criminal records are public court files that show felony and misdemeanor cases filed inside Franklin County, Ohio. These files hold case numbers, charges, hearing dates, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing data.
They cover criminal cases from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, the Franklin County Municipal Court, and partner mayor’s courts. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts keeps the official files. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest and inmate files. Anyone can look up these records online or at the courthouse for a small fee.
What Franklin County Criminal Records Contain
Franklin County criminal records give a full picture of a criminal case from start to finish. They list the defendant name, the case number, the charges, the court where the case was filed, the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense lawyer. They also list the arrest date, the arraignment date, the motion filings, the plea, the trial dates, the verdict, and the sentence. Some files also show restitution orders, probation terms, and jail credit. The records apply to adult criminal cases only. Juvenile records stay sealed under Ohio law.
Types of Criminal Cases on File
Franklin County courts handle three main kinds of criminal cases. Felony cases go to the Court of Common Pleas. Misdemeanor cases go to the Franklin County Municipal Court. Minor misdemeanor cases and traffic offenses go to the Municipal Court or to local mayor’s courts. Each case type has its own search portal and its own set of forms.
- Felony cases include murder, rape, robbery, burglary, aggravated drug charges, and major theft.
- Misdemeanor cases include simple assault, petty theft, minor drug possession, DUI first offense, and disorderly conduct.
- Minor misdemeanor cases include small traffic tickets, public intoxication, and local ordinance violations.
Agencies That Keep These Records
Three main offices keep Franklin County criminal records. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is the main keeper for Court of Common Pleas files. The Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk handles city misdemeanor files. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest reports, booking photos, and jail inmate data. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation keeps the statewide criminal history database.
How to Search Franklin County Criminal Records Online
Online search tools let you check Franklin County criminal records from home at any time. You can search by name, by case number, by attorney, or by filing date. The tools show case status, charges, hearing dates, and final outcomes. Most basic searches are free. You pay only when you need printed or certified copies of court papers.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Public Records Portal
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts runs a public search portal on its website. The portal covers Court of Common Pleas felony cases, civil cases, and some municipal filings. You can search the docket by defendant name, case number, or attorney bar number. The portal also lets you view filed documents, pay fines, and check bond amounts. Go to clerk.franklincountyohio.gov and click the Records Search link to start.
- Search by name using a full legal name and date of birth when possible.
- Search by case number using the format CR-2024-1234 for Common Pleas criminal cases.
- Search by attorney to find all cases a lawyer is working on.
- View docket entries, filings, and order dates for each case.
Franklin County Municipal Court Records
The Franklin County Municipal Court handles all misdemeanors and traffic offenses inside Columbus city limits and in twelve townships. The court runs its own online search tool. You can search criminal misdemeanor cases, traffic cases, and civil cases. Search by name, case number, or ticket number. The portal shows charges, plea, fines, court costs, and sentence. Visit fcmcclerk.com to use the public search tool.
Ohio Statewide Criminal History Search
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation runs a statewide criminal history database called OHLEG. You can request a name-based criminal history check for any person. The check covers arrests and convictions from every Ohio county, including Franklin County. You need a valid reason under Ohio law to run a check. The cost is $15 per name. Visit ohioattorneygeneral.gov to start a search.
Franklin County Felony Case Lookup
Felony case lookup in Franklin County goes through the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts keeps all felony files from police arrest through final sentencing. Felony charges include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated burglary, major drug trafficking, and felonious assault. Each felony case has a case number that starts with CR for criminal, followed by the year and a four-digit number.
Where Felony Cases Are Filed
All felony charges filed in Franklin County start in the Court of Common Pleas. The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office reviews the case and files the indictment. The case then moves to arraignment, pretrial hearings, plea, or trial. The docket stays open until the defendant completes the sentence, including prison, probation, and post-release control.
Felony Case Number Format
Franklin County felony case numbers follow a set pattern. The letters CR show it is a criminal case. The year shows the filing year. The four-digit number shows the order of filing. For example, CR-2025-0042 means the 42nd criminal case filed in 2025. You can use this case number to pull up the full docket on the Clerk’s online portal.
Felony Court Filings and Documents
Felony case filings include the indictment, the arraignment entry, the discovery order, motion responses, plea forms, sentencing memos, and final judgment entries. Many of these documents are public. You can view them at the Clerk’s office or through the online portal for a small fee per page. Sealed filings stay hidden from the public view.
Franklin County Misdemeanor Court Records
Misdemeanor court records in Franklin County cover all misdemeanor charges filed in the Franklin County Municipal Court. These records include simple assault, minor theft, DUI first offense, possession of small amounts of drugs, and disorderly conduct. The court also handles minor traffic cases like speeding, driving under suspension, and no valid license.
Misdemeanor Case Categories
Ohio law divides misdemeanors into four levels. First-degree misdemeanors carry up to 180 days in jail. Second-degree misdemeanors carry up to 90 days. Third-degree misdemeanors carry up to 60 days. Fourth-degree and minor misdemeanors carry no jail time. The docket record shows the level of each charge.
- First-degree misdemeanors include DUI first offense, domestic violence, and theft under $1,000.
- Second-degree misdemeanors include reckless operation, assault, and certain drug possession counts.
- Third-degree misdemeanors include certain alcohol offenses, trespass, and disorderly conduct.
- Minor misdemeanors include most non-moving traffic tickets, jaywalking, and some local ordinance violations.
Searching Misdemeanor Records by Name
You can search the Municipal Court records by name through the court’s online portal. The search will show all criminal misdemeanor cases, traffic cases, and civil cases linked to that name. You can see the charge, the plea, the fine, the court costs, and the sentence. You can also see if the person is on a payment plan, on probation, or on a suspended license.
Franklin County Criminal Docket Search
A criminal docket shows every entry and filing in a criminal case. The docket is the running log of the case from the first filing to the final judgment. In Franklin County, you can view the docket online or at the courthouse. Each entry shows the date, the document type, and a short description of the action.
What a Docket Sheet Shows
A Franklin County criminal docket sheet lists every step in the case. It shows the indictment date, the arraignment, bond conditions, pretrial conference dates, motion filings, hearing outcomes, plea agreements, trial verdicts, and sentencing orders. It also shows the assigned judge, the prosecutor, and the defense lawyer. The docket is the most complete public record of a criminal case.
How to Read a Docket Entry
Each docket entry has a date, a code, and a description. The date shows when the entry was filed. The code shows the type of entry. The description tells what happened. For example, an entry dated 03/14/2025 with code PLEA shows that a plea was entered on that date. The description will say what type of plea and to which charge.
Franklin County Criminal Case Number Lookup
Case number lookup is the fastest way to find a specific criminal case in Franklin County. The case number is a unique code assigned to each case at filing. The Clerk’s office gives each felony, misdemeanor, and traffic case its own number. Once you have the case number, you can pull up the full docket in seconds.
Format of Franklin County Case Numbers
Franklin County case numbers use a clear format. Felony criminal cases start with CR. Misdemeanor criminal cases in the Municipal Court start with CRB. Traffic cases start with TRC. Civil cases start with CV. The next two digits show the year. The last digits show the case number in order of filing. For example, CRB-2025-1234 means a criminal misdemeanor case filed in 2025.
Searching by Case Number
You can search by case number on the Clerk of Courts portal for Common Pleas cases. You can also search the Municipal Court portal for misdemeanor and traffic cases. Type the full case number into the search box, including the year and the four-digit number. The search will pull up the case, the parties, the charges, and the docket entries.
Franklin County Criminal Court Filings
Criminal court filings are the written papers filed in a criminal case. They include the complaint, the indictment, motions, briefs, evidence lists, subpoenas, plea forms, and judgment entries. The Clerk of Courts keeps the original filings. Digital copies of recent filings are on the online portal. Older filings may be on microfilm or paper archive.
Recent Filings Access
You can view recent criminal filings in Franklin County through the Clerk’s online portal. The portal shows filings from the past 30 days in a daily list. You can also search filings by case number, party name, or attorney. Filings that are sealed, expunged, or marked as confidential are not on the public list.
Filing Types and Codes
Criminal filings have set codes for each paper type. Common codes include IND for indictment, ARRAIGN for arraignment entry, PLEA for plea agreement, SENT for sentencing entry, and MOTION for pretrial motions. Each code links to a specific paper in the case. The Clerk’s office can help you read the codes if you call during business hours.
Franklin County Public Criminal Court Records
Public criminal court records in Franklin County are open to anyone who wants to view them. Ohio’s public records law gives every person the right to see and copy court records. You do not need to be a lawyer, a party to the case, or a citizen of Ohio. You only need to ask for the record and pay the copy fee.
Public Access Rights in Ohio
Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 gives the public the right to see government records. Court records are public unless a judge seals them, an Ohio law makes them private, or they are expunged. Sealed records are not open to the public. Expunged records are destroyed or returned to the defendant.
Fees and Copy Costs
Franklin County charges set fees for court record copies. Basic online viewing is free. Printed copies cost $0.10 per page for standard paper and $0.25 per page for legal-size paper. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee. The Clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards.
Franklin County Criminal Court Calendar
The criminal court calendar shows all scheduled hearings, trials, and sentencings in Franklin County criminal courts. You can view the daily docket online, call the Clerk’s office, or visit the courthouse. The calendar shows the case number, the defendant name, the hearing type, the time, the courtroom, and the assigned judge.
How to Check the Court Calendar
You can check the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas criminal calendar on the court’s website. The calendar updates each day by 6:00 a.m. You can also check the Municipal Court calendar on its website. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office website shows jail court appearance dates for current inmates.
Types of Criminal Hearings
Franklin County criminal courts hold many types of hearings. Arraignment is the first court date after the indictment. Pretrial conference is where the lawyers meet with the judge. Motion hearings cover legal arguments. Plea hearings take the defendant’s plea. Trial dates are set for jury or bench trials. Sentencing hearings happen after a guilty plea or guilty verdict.
- Arraignment: the defendant hears the charges and enters a plea.
- Pretrial conference: lawyers set the schedule and discuss evidence.
- Motion hearings: the judge rules on legal motions filed by the lawyers.
- Plea hearing: the defendant enters a guilty, no contest, or not guilty plea.
- Trial: the jury or judge hears the evidence and reaches a verdict.
- Sentencing: the judge imposes the sentence after a guilty plea or verdict.
Sealing and Expungement of Franklin County Records
Ohio law lets some Franklin County criminal records be sealed or expunged. Sealing hides the record from public view. Expungement destroys the record in most cases. Not all charges qualify. Serious crimes like murder, rape, and most sex offenses cannot be sealed or expunged.
Eligibility for Sealing Under Ohio Law
You may be eligible to seal a Franklin County record if you meet the Ohio requirements. The waiting period depends on the charge level. After sealing, you can lawfully say you do not have a criminal record in most cases. Eligibility rules changed under Ohio’s 2023 and 2024 reforms. More charges qualify now than before.
- Minor misdemeanors: eligible for sealing one year after the case ends.
- Fourth and third-degree misdemeanors: eligible after one year from case end.
- Second and first-degree misdemeanors: eligible after two years from case end.
- Fifth and fourth-degree felonies: eligible after three years from case end.
- Third-degree felonies: eligible after five years for some charges under recent reforms.
- Serious violent felonies and most sex offenses: not eligible for sealing.
How to Apply for Sealing in Franklin County
To seal a Franklin County record, you file an application with the Clerk of Courts. The application lists all the cases you want sealed. The Clerk sends the application to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor can object. A judge then reviews the application. If the judge grants the request, the Clerk seals the records and sends a court order to every agency that had the file.
Expungement Process in Franklin County
Expungement in Franklin County works like sealing but goes one step further. After the judge grants the request, the court orders the destruction of the record. Police records, court records, and lab records are all destroyed. The defendant can then deny the arrest and the charge in most situations. Not all cases qualify for full expungement.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Contact
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is the main office for criminal case records in Columbus, Ohio. You can visit the office in person, call during business hours, or use the online portal. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on Ohio state holidays.
Address: 373 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3600
Website: clerk.franklincountyohio.gov
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Records Search: clerk.franklincountyohio.gov (public records portal)
The Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk handles misdemeanor records at 375 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone (614) 645-8000. Website fcmcclerk.com. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office handles arrest and inmate records at 60 East Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone (614) 525-3333. Website franklincountysheriff.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin County Criminal Records
People searching for Franklin County criminal records often have similar questions. The answers below cover the most common questions about court files, search tools, fees, and sealing. Each answer gives direct, useful facts to help you find the records you need without delays or extra cost.
How Do I Find Out If Someone Has a Criminal Record in Franklin County?
You can check a Franklin County criminal record by name through the Clerk of Courts public search portal for felony cases or through the Municipal Court portal for misdemeanor cases. You need the full legal name and date of birth for the most accurate results. The free search shows charges, case status, and final outcomes. For a full statewide check that includes all Ohio counties, you can request a name-based criminal history report from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation through the OHLEG system for $15. The Clerk’s office can also run a name search at the public terminal during business hours for no charge.
Are Franklin County Criminal Records Free to View?
Yes, basic online viewing of Franklin County criminal records is free through the Clerk’s public portal and the Municipal Court portal. You can see the case caption, the charges, the docket entries, and the final outcome at no cost. You pay only when you need a printed copy or a certified copy. Printed copies are $0.10 per page on standard paper. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus the copy fee. The Clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards for all fees.
What Is the Difference Between a Sealed and Expunged Record in Franklin County?
A sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists in the court system. Only certain agencies can see a sealed record, such as law enforcement, courts, and some licensing boards. An expunged record is destroyed. After expungement, the court file, the police file, and the lab file are all destroyed. The defendant can lawfully deny the arrest and the charge in most cases. Both sealing and expungement require a court order. The application process is the same, but the final result is different.
Can I Get a Copy of a Police Report in Franklin County?
Yes, you can get a copy of a police report from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office if the Sheriff handled the case. For city of Columbus cases, the report comes from the Columbus Division of Police Records Section. You must file a public records request in writing. There is no fee to view the report. Printed copies cost $0.10 per page. Some reports are exempt from release, including active investigation files, juvenile records, and reports that contain private victim data.
How Long Does It Take to Seal a Record in Franklin County?
The sealing process in Franklin County takes about three to six months from the day you file the application. The Clerk sends the application to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, which has 30 days to file an objection. If there is no objection, the judge reviews the application. If the judge grants the request, the Clerk sends a court order to every agency that has the record. The full process can take up to six months from start to finish. There is no fee to file the sealing application in Franklin County.
Can I Look Up Franklin County Warrants Online?
Yes, you can search for active Franklin County warrants through the Sheriff’s Office online tool. The Sheriff’s website has a public warrant search that shows active criminal warrants, active civil warrants, and active capias warrants. The search shows the name, the warrant type, the issuing court, and the charge. The tool is free and open to the public. You can also call the Sheriff’s warrant line at (614) 525-3362 during business hours to check on a specific person.
What Shows Up on a Franklin County Background Check?
A Franklin County background check shows arrests, charges, court outcomes, sentences, probation status, and jail time. It covers felony cases in the Court of Common Pleas, misdemeanor cases in the Municipal Court, and traffic offenses. The check does not show sealed or expunged records. It also does not show juvenile records. For employment background checks, the report follows the rules of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. For personal use, the report shows the same data you would see on the Clerk’s online portal.