Conduct a Free Richland County Warrant Search

Free Richland County Warrant Search
Find out if you or someone else has a warrant out for their arrest in Richland County, Ohio, free of charge.

Run a free Richland County warrant search to reveal details about anybody wanted. By searching these records, concerned individuals can find information on the type and reason that legal action may be issued against someone.

According to the Ohio Revised Code, interested parties can look up government records in Richland County and throughout the state. Utilize this resource to get warrant details through official channels and gain insight into the best way to resolve the matter if you or someone you know is wanted.

An Overview of Looking Up Warrants in Richland County Ohio

Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code governs the maintenance and availability of public records through online databases so that citizens can make warrant search requests and obtain the relevant information as required.1

There are multiple types of warrants, each issued for a specific legal purpose, and obtaining public records for them can vary depending on their type. Acquiring warrant records is made possible through online databases and lookup tools, phone, mail, email, and even in-person visits to the office of the relevant record custodian in Richland County.

While most warrant search requests can be carried out by interested parties, obtaining information can also depend on the type and whether it has been executed or not.

When performing search requests, citizens must have some information about the warrant being searched for, such as the subject’s first and last name, as well as the county where it was issued in case someone was traveling.

Several custodians keep public records related to warrants in Richland County and make them available for public viewership for free. However, others charge a fee, such as Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Looking up for warrant records can be done through the Richland County Common Pleas Court and the sheriff’s office.2

A screenshot showing a name search displaying information such as case number and type, date filed, initiating action, party or company name, party type and case status.
Source: Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division3

Perform a Free Richland County Warrant Search

Making Richland County warrant records search requests is possible through a number of ways, as multiple agencies and custodians keep public records and make this information available for public viewing under Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Citizens can obtain warrant search records through court clerks, the office of the sheriff, county police department websites, or even through criminal record checks, which keep track of past criminal records as well as outstanding warrants.

Richland County Common Pleas Court: The Richland County Common Pleas Court maintains public records related to warrants and makes them available to the public.

In order to request public records, users can fill out the record request form with their name, address, city, state, phone number, and the particulars of the record being searched for.4 While filling out the form isn’t mandatory, it can help with the timely provision of records.

A screenshot displaying a public records request requires information such as the requestor's name, street address, phone number, city, state, ZIP code, date, and record description.
Source: Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division4

Richland County, Ohio enables interested parties to get photocopies of their required records for a nominal fee; 10 cents is the cost for each page of a non-certified copy while each page of a certified copy can be obtained for $1.

A screenshot showing the civil and criminal fee schedules displays lien release and copies such as certified/exemplified copies of judgments per page with and without certification.
Source: Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division5

Users can visit the Richland County building for free inspection of records at the following address:

Richland County Common Pleas Court
County Administration Building
50 Park Avenue East
Mansfield, Ohio 44902

Phone: 419-774-3526

Richland County Sheriff’s Office: The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is a repository that maintains a database of both closed and outstanding cases in the county. Interested users can call or visit the following address to retrieve their desired warrant information:

Richland County Sheriff’s Office
597 Park Ave. East
Mansfield, OH 44905

Phone: 419-524-2412

It is important to be mindful that someone who is looking for an active warrant issued against them can get arrested, so a defense attorney can help with retrieving the relevant information without compromising an individual’s freedom (especially when the warrant can be settled through court without getting arrested).

City of Shelby: Shelby City, located in Ohio, allows interested parties to obtain warrant records under the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).6, 7 However, it is necessary to understand that all records are not available to the public, such as the ones exempt from disclosure according to the law. Users interested in inspection and copying of records can request for records on the following:

City of Shelby
Attn: Director of Finance & Public Record
43 West Main Street
Shelby, Ohio 44875

Phone: 419-347-5131

A screenshot displaying a visualization map showing locations or landmarks such as Shelby Municipal Power, Central Intermediate, some streets, schools, parks and others.
Source: Shelby City Hall, Richland County Regional Planning Commission8

An authorized person then reviews record requests for their alignment with the Public Records Act of Ohio. The time taken in this procedure depends on how detailed your request is, and the cost also varies accordingly.

Lastly, many third-party websites also enable interested users to make warrant search requests but it is always recommended that any information obtained should be verified through the official channels available in this resource.

What Types of Warrants Are There & What Does Each Mean?

Multiple warrants could be issued in Richland County with each one being for a different reason, such as misdemeanors, felonies, or failure to appear in court. Here’s what citizens need to know about some of the common types of warrants and what each means:

Arrest Warrant: This type authorizes the bearer to arrest or detain the person in whose name the warrant is issued. These warrants are issued by courts when there is reason to believe that the defendant has committed a crime and allow law enforcement agencies to arrest the person without having a physical copy.

Bench Warrant: A bench warrant authorizes law enforcement authorities to arrest a person who fails to appear in court when required. Any such warrant can be issued for criminal and non-criminal offenses. According to Section 2937.99 of the Ohio Revised Codes, failure to appear is a criminal offense for the following: defendant arrested for a felony, witness failed to appear at felony hearing, defendant released on bail, or on recognizance (ROR).9

Probation & Parole Violation Warrant: These types of warrants are issued when the conditions of probation or parole have been breached and the court has reasons to believe that such a warrant must be issued in a defendant’s name.

Traffic Warrant: A traffic warrant is issued when a person fails to pay for a traffic ticket issued for violations or fails to appear in court if the violation requires it.

Child Support Warrant: This is issued when a non-custodial parent defaults on child support payments. The custodial parent can file a support contempt motion in court and the non-custodial parent will have to appear for a court hearing; failure to do so can result in a penalty in terms of community service, fines, or even 90 days in jail.

Capias & Capias Pro Fine Warrants: These are issued when a person is found guilty through court or plea and fails to pay fines and court-ordered fees. The court can penalize this through additional fines, probation, or even imprisonment.

Fugitive Warrant: This type of arrest warrant enables law enforcement agencies to take custody of a person who has fled from one jurisdiction to another.

Search Warrant: A search warrant enables law enforcement officers to search any property. Searches can also be conducted through No-Knock Warrants, which enables law enforcement officers to search properties without notifying the occupants about their intentions.

It is important to know that any of these warrants can be referred to as an ‘active warrant’ which directly means that it has been executed or resolved currently.

How To Settle an Active Warrants in Richland County

Assuming that someone finds out they have an active warrant issued in their name in Richland County, it is crucial to address it rather than run away from it. Eventually, law enforcement authorities will track down the person, so one should prepare for such circumstances beforehand.

Unlike what some people assume, warrants do not expire; they remain active until the underlying issue is resolved. In some cases, courts can set the validity period and law enforcement agencies will act on it as soon as the person or property in whose name the warrant is issued has been identified.

Citizens who are concerned about their own or the other person’s safety can also leave a tip on the official tips helpline without revealing their identity.10

Detective Bureau
Richland County Sheriff’s Office
597 Park Avenue East
Mansfield, OH 44905

Phone: 419-774-5610

In case someone finds out that they have an active warrant, there are multiple methods that one could follow to settle the issue including consultation with a legal professional to understand how the law works. Lifting up an active warrant is also possible by setting a court date or simply paying up a fine that was due.

Turning yourself in to the legal authorities can also be a proactive approach for lifting an active warrant; a bail bondsman can initiate the bailing process at the same time so that the warrant issued under someone’s name is settled promptly.

Overall, Richland County warrant search requests are best performed through the official channels to ensure authenticity and best results. 


References

1Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, Legislative Service Commission. (2023, October 03). Section 149.43 | Availability of public records for inspection and copying. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-149.43>

2Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division. (n.d.). Richland County Common Pleas Court. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/index.php>

3Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division. (n.d.). Search. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://eservices.richlandcountycpcourt.org/eservices/home.page.2>

4Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division. (2023, July 19). Public Records Request. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/pdf/RC100-20230719.pdf>

5Richland County Common Pleas Court, General Division. (2023, July 19). Civil and Criminal Fee Schedule. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/pdf/CivilCriminalFeeSchedule-20230719.pdf>

6Shelby City Hall. (2022, December 15). Public Records. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://shelbycity.oh.gov/public-records/>

7Office of Information Policy. (n.d.). Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.foia.gov/about.html>

8Shelby City Hall, Richland County Regional Planning Commission. (2008, April). Shelby Community Map. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://shelbycity.oh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/shelby-community-map.pdf>

9Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, Legislative Service Commission. (2004, January 01). Section 2937.99 | Penalty. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2937.99>

10Richland County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Detective Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/sheriff/DetectiveBureau>