Adams County Criminal Court Records
Adams County criminal court records are kept by the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in West Union. The office files and stores all case records from the Court of Common Pleas, which covers felony crimes, civil suits, and domestic cases. You can search for records in person or use the county's online portal. The Clerk of Courts also holds records for the 4th Appellate District Court. Most court files are open to the public under Ohio law, though some sealed or expunged cases will not show up in a search. If you need a certified copy or want to check the status of a case, the staff at the Adams County Clerk of Courts can help.
Adams County Clerk of Courts Office
The Adams County Clerk of Courts Legal Division is the main place to get criminal court records in this county. Larry Heller serves as the elected Clerk of Courts. The office sits on the top floor of the courthouse at 110 West Main Street, West Union, Ohio 45693. You can call the office at (937) 544-2344 to ask about a case or request copies. Chief Deputy Leanne Liston is also on staff to help with questions. For email, reach the office at lheller@adamscountycourts.com.
The Legal Division handles all filing, docketing, and indexing for the Adams County court system. Records stored here go back to when the county was first set up. The office keeps case filings, motions, judgments, court orders, warrant data, and hearing dates. Criminal cases range from minor offenses to serious felonies. The Clerk's office also takes bonds, files tax liens and judgment liens, and can give oaths. Hours run Monday through Friday, so plan to call or visit on a weekday for the best results.
Search Adams County Criminal Records Online
The fastest way to look up Adams County criminal court records is through the Adams County Common Pleas Court Record Search Portal. This online tool lets you search by case number, party name, hearing date, or file date. The system pulls records from the Court of Common Pleas, which includes criminal felony cases, civil suits, and domestic relations matters. Keep in mind there is a delay of at least 24 hours between when a case gets filed and when it shows up online.
You can also visit the Adams County Courts main website for links to forms, court rules, and an online payment system. The payment tool lets you pay traffic fines, court costs, and other fees from home. If you want to dig into records that are not online, you should visit the Clerk's office at 110 West Main Street in West Union or send a written request by mail.
Ohio's public records law under ORC Section 149.43 gives the public the right to view most court records. You do not need to state a reason for your request. The Clerk must provide access during normal business hours.
Note: Records on the online portal come with a disclaimer that data may change without notice and should not be used as a sole basis for legal decisions.
Criminal Court Records in Adams County
The Adams County Clerk of Courts Legal Division provides public access to criminal court records covering a wide range of case types. The Adams County Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over all felony criminal offenses committed in the county. This includes drug charges, theft, assault, burglary, and other serious crimes defined under ORC Chapter 2301. The General Division also hears civil cases, foreclosures, and administrative appeals. If a case started in a lower court and moves up, the Common Pleas Court takes over and the records transfer to the Clerk's office.
The court website shows the Adams County Clerk of Courts page where visitors can find office details and filing info.
This screenshot shows the online portal for the Adams County Clerk of Courts, where you can start a search for criminal case records and other court filings.
Types of Cases in Adams County Courts
The Common Pleas Court in Adams County handles felony cases. These are crimes that carry a prison term of more than one year. Drug offenses, violent crimes, property crimes, and white-collar fraud all fall under this court. The Domestic Relations Division deals with divorces, child custody, civil protection orders, and post-decree motions. Probate Court covers estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Juvenile Court handles cases tied to Adams County Children Services along with child support and custody disputes.
Municipal and county courts in the area process misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic tickets. These courts deal with offenses under ORC Title 19, which sets up municipal and county court rules in Ohio. If a misdemeanor case gets bound over to the Common Pleas Court, the records move there too. Understanding which court holds a record is the first step in any search. For most criminal matters that led to felony charges, the Clerk of Courts in West Union is your go-to source.
Note: Juvenile records are not open to the public and will not appear in standard court record searches.
Getting Copies of Adams County Court Records
You can get copies of criminal court records a few ways. Walk into the Clerk's office on the top floor of the courthouse at 110 West Main Street. Bring the case number or the name of the person involved. Staff will pull the file for you. If you need a certified copy for legal use, ask the clerk at the counter. You can also send a written request by mail to the same address in West Union, Ohio 45693.
For records not found online, an in-person visit is often the quickest route. The online system may not have older cases or those that were sealed by court order. Records that are exempt from public access include law enforcement investigation files, medical records, documents covered by attorney-client privilege, and anything with Social Security numbers. Sealed and expunged case files are also off limits. If you think a record should be public but it has been denied, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims, which handles disputes over public records access.
Adams County Legal Resources
Ohio Legal Help offers free guides on how to search court records, seal a record, or find a lawyer. The site has tools for people who represent themselves in court. It also lists legal aid groups by region. The Ohio State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service and info about public records law in Ohio. If you need help with a criminal case in Adams County, these resources can point you in the right direction.
The Adams County Recorder of Deeds is a separate office run by Chris Moore. It sits at 110 West Main Street, Room 133, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. While this office does not hold criminal records, it does keep property records, liens, and deeds that can be useful in civil or fraud cases. You can reach the Recorder at 937-544-5051. For statewide criminal background checks, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation runs fingerprint-based checks at $22 for state-only or $34 for combined state and FBI checks.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety also provides info on expungement and record sealing for those who qualify.
Cities in Adams County
Adams County is home to several small towns and villages. West Union serves as the county seat and houses the courthouse. Other communities include Peebles, Manchester, and Seaman. None of these towns have populations over 100,000, so criminal court records for the whole county are managed through the Adams County Clerk of Courts in West Union. All felony cases from across the county go through the Common Pleas Court there.
Nearby Counties
If you are looking for records from areas near Adams County, these neighboring counties each have their own Clerk of Courts office and court system:
Each county keeps its own set of criminal court records. A case filed in Brown County would not show up in an Adams County search. Check the right county for the records you need.