Criminal records in Fairfield County, Ohio can be accessed through several channels. FairfieldCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that, the Fairfield County Common Pleas Court and Municipal Court each maintain online case search tools, the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts handles record requests, and the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office and state-level agencies offer additional access points for criminal history data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fairfield County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Fairfield County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- FairfieldCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available criminal court record information across Fairfield County.
- Fairfield County Common Pleas Court Case Search — Search the court's case management database by defendant name or case number. This court handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county.
- Fairfield County Municipal Court — Misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic offenses are handled here. The Municipal Court website provides online access to case records held by the Clerk of Court.
- Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search — Look up individuals currently or previously incarcerated in Ohio state prisons.
- Ohio BCI Background Check — The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation processes formal criminal background checks using fingerprint submissions. This is the statewide criminal history repository.
In Person
- Visit the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts office in Lancaster to search court records using public access terminals or request assistance from staff.
- The Municipal Court Clerk's office in Lancaster also provides in-person access to misdemeanor and traffic case records.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written public records request to the Clerk of Courts. Under Ohio's public records law (Ohio Revised Code §149.43), you do not need to identify yourself or state a reason for the request. Requests can be made in person, by phone, or in writing.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request with fingerprints to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- For BCI background checks: fingerprint submission on a WebCheck-certified card or via electronic scan
Search Fairfield County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can pull up a specific record directly through the Common Pleas or Municipal Court case search tools.
Ohio courts use a standardized case number format. In Fairfield County Common Pleas Court, a typical criminal case number looks like this:
- YYYY CR NNNNN
- YYYY — the four-digit year the case was filed
- CR — the case type code (CR indicates a criminal case)
- NNNNN — a sequential number assigned to the case within that year
Other case type codes you may encounter include:
- CRB — criminal misdemeanor (Municipal Court)
- TRC — traffic criminal offense
- CRA — criminal minor misdemeanor
Enter the full case number exactly as formatted. Partial numbers may not return results. If you only have a name, search by name first and then note the case number for future reference.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fairfield County
When you pull up a criminal case record in Fairfield County, you'll see several categories of information. Here's what each one means.
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Ohio Revised Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., ORC §2913.02 for theft) |
| Severity level | Felony (F1–F5), misdemeanor (M1–M4), or minor misdemeanor |
| Original charge | The charge as initially filed by the prosecutor |
| Amended charge | A modified charge resulting from a plea agreement or court ruling |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; the case is administratively complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant's first court appearance; charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial — Attorneys discuss the case with the judge; plea negotiations may occur
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — A follow-up to check compliance with probation, treatment, or other court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or trial
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecutor or the court
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fairfield County
Certified copies carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes. Here's how to get them.
Fairfield County Clerk of Courts (Common Pleas)
The Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of all Common Pleas Court records, including felony criminal cases. You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or through a written public records request. Records request forms are available on the county website.
Fairfield County Municipal Court Clerk
For misdemeanor criminal and traffic records, contact the Municipal Court Clerk's office.
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
For a comprehensive Ohio criminal history report, submit a fingerprint-based request through BCI. This is often required for employment, licensing, and volunteer screening. Submissions can be made electronically through WebCheck locations or by mail.
Identification Needed
- For court record copies: generally no ID required under Ohio public records law, though the clerk may ask for identifying details to locate the correct file
- For BCI background checks: a valid government-issued photo ID and fingerprint submission are required
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fairfield County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard record copy (per page) | $0.05 | Per Ohio Revised Code §149.43(B)(1); actual cost of copies |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page (typical) | Clerk of Courts; includes certification seal. Contact the clerk to confirm current fee. |
| BCI background check (electronic/WebCheck) | $22.00 (Ohio only) / $22.00 + $14.00 FBI (if required) | Fees set by BCI; paid at WebCheck location |
| BCI background check (mail-in) | $22.00 (Ohio only) / $22.00 + $14.00 FBI | Include payment with fingerprint card submission |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Typically available the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests to Clerk of Courts: Allow 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- BCI electronic (WebCheck): Results usually returned within 2–5 business days
- BCI mail-in: May take several weeks
Ohio law requires public offices to respond to records requests within a reasonable period. If a request involves a large volume of records, the clerk's office will provide a time estimate. Fees must reflect the actual cost of providing the copies — offices cannot charge more than the cost of duplication under ORC §149.43.