Search Columbus Criminal Court Records
Columbus criminal court records are spread across two main courts that serve the city and all of Franklin County. The Franklin County Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic charges, while the Court of Common Pleas takes on felony matters. Both courts keep their records open to the public and offer online search tools. Whether you need to look up a case number, check a court date, or find out if someone has a warrant, the Columbus court system gives you several ways to get that done. Records go back decades, and most can be pulled up in just a few minutes with the right search method.
Franklin County Courts and Columbus Cases
Felony criminal cases in Columbus go through the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. This court has full jurisdiction over serious crimes like drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and fraud. The Clerk of Courts office is at 373 S. High Street, 23rd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You can call them at 614-525-3600. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The General Division handles criminal and civil filings from the first floor at 345 S. High Street, with a direct line at 614-525-3621.
The Clerk of Courts also runs separate divisions for domestic relations, juvenile cases, and appeals. The Appeals Division sits on the 23rd floor and can be reached at 614-525-3624. The Domestic Relations Division is on the 4th floor at 614-525-4410. If you need records from a specific division, call ahead so staff can point you in the right direction. Each division keeps its own set of files, and not all are on the same floor of the courthouse.
Columbus Municipal Court Records
The Franklin County Municipal Court is the main court for misdemeanor criminal cases in Columbus. It sits at 375 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The main phone number is (614) 645-8214. This court has fourteen General Division judges and one Environmental Division judge. They hear traffic cases, misdemeanor crimes, and civil suits up to $15,000. The Criminal/Traffic Department stays open every day from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, which is longer than most courts in Ohio.
The Clerk Administration office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Civil Department runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Traffic Violations Bureau opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. The court has an Employee Directory on its website if you need to reach a specific person. The court observes 16 holidays each year, so check the schedule before you plan a trip.
Note: The court has warned about a text message scam involving fake parking tickets; real notices will not come by text from this court.
How to Search Columbus Criminal Court Records
For felony cases, the Franklin County Clerk of Courts runs an online system called Case Information Online (CIO). This tool lets you search by name, case number, or other details. It pulls up docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case status. The data matches the official court docket, but the Clerk's office notes that CIO is a copy and not the official record. If you spot something that looks wrong, check with the courthouse for the original file.
The municipal court also has its own case search portal through the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's website. You can look up court dates, amounts owed, and warrant status. The system covers traffic, criminal, and civil cases filed at the municipal level. Requests for records can go by mail, email, or in person at the public service counter. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, you do not have to give a reason when you ask for public records.
One thing to know about CIO: it is not set up for bulk data downloads. If you try to pull large amounts of data without getting approval first, the system will block you. Anyone who needs bulk data must file a formal Public Records Request through the Clerk's website.
Columbus Criminal Records Resources
The Ohio Department of Public Safety provides the official state portal for criminal court records and criminal justice services. This page shows resources that are available to residents across Ohio, including those in Columbus.
The state portal covers topics such as background checks, record sealing, and expungement. Columbus residents can use this resource along with the local court search tools for a more complete picture of criminal records in Franklin County.
Columbus Police Records and Arrest Data
The Columbus Division of Police runs a Public Records Unit at 120 Marconi Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43215. The unit phone number is (614) 645-4925. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Public Services Office on the 2nd floor at the same address is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can fax requests to (614) 645-4001 or (614) 645-0903.
As of September 2025, the Division charges $37 per hour for video public records requests that involve body-worn camera or cruiser video. Ohio House Bill 315 allows agencies to charge up to $75 per hour for such requests with a $750 cap per request. In 2024, the Division handled about 6,400 public records requests, and roughly 37% of those involved video. Standard incident and arrest reports can be requested online through the police website or by fax.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office also keeps arrest and booking records. Their main office is at 373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, with phone number (614) 525-3333. Sheriff Dallas Baldwin oversees operations. The office has an inmate information search tool on its website so you can check booking details and custody status without going in person.
Note: Video of police shootings and major incidents is released at no charge as part of the Division's transparency policy.
What Columbus Criminal Court Records Contain
Criminal court records in Columbus typically include the defendant's name, date of birth, charges filed, arrest date, court dates, plea entered, and the final disposition. Felony records at the Common Pleas level show the full case history from indictment through sentencing. You can find motions, bond details, judge assignments, and any post-conviction filings. Municipal court records cover misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for cases that get bound over to the Common Pleas Court.
Some records are not public. Sealed and expunged cases will not appear in any search. Juvenile records are kept separate and are closed to the public. Medical records, Social Security numbers, and documents protected by attorney-client privilege are also exempt under Ohio law. Active investigation files held by law enforcement may be withheld until the case is resolved. If your request gets denied and you think it should not have been, you can challenge it through the Ohio Court of Claims.
Getting Copies of Court Records in Columbus
To get copies from the Franklin County Clerk of Courts, visit the courthouse at 345 S. High Street or 373 S. High Street depending on the division. Bring a case number or the name of the person you are looking up. The Clerk's office will pull the file and make copies. For certified copies, you will need to pay the applicable fee. You can also submit requests by mail to the same address.
At the municipal court level, the Clerk at 375 S. High Street handles requests in person, by mail, or by email. Court records are governed by ORC Chapter 2301, which sets out the duties of the Clerk regarding record keeping and public access. For statewide background checks, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-224-6446 runs fingerprint-based checks at $22 for state-only or $34 for state and FBI combined.
Columbus Legal Aid and Court Help
Ohio Legal Help has free guides on court records, record sealing, and finding a lawyer. The site also lists legal aid groups by area. The Ohio State Bar Association runs a referral service if you need an attorney for a criminal matter. Columbus has a large legal community, so finding representation for a court case is usually straightforward. For questions about municipal and county court rules, ORC Title 19 covers the setup and duties of municipal courts across Ohio.
The Franklin County Municipal Court provides public defenders for people charged with misdemeanors that carry jail time who cannot afford their own lawyer. You can request one through the court's online system. The court also offers interpreter services and ADA accommodations if you need them. Call ahead to set those up before your court date.
Nearby Cities with Court Records
If your search goes beyond Columbus, these nearby cities also have their own criminal court records pages:
Each city falls under its own county court system. Records from one city will not show up in a Columbus search. Make sure you check the right location for the case you need.