Find Felony Records in Union County
Union County felony records are stored at the Court of Common Pleas in Marysville, Ohio. You can search for felony cases, request copies of court documents, or check conviction records through the Clerk of Courts. Located in central Ohio just northwest of Columbus, Union County has seen growth in recent years, which means a growing caseload at the courthouse. The Marysville Municipal Court handles early felony proceedings before cases move to Common Pleas. Multiple local and state resources can help you track down Union County felony records when you need them.
Union County Overview
Union County Clerk of Courts Records
The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains all official court records for the Court of Common Pleas. Felony criminal cases, civil suits, domestic relations matters, and appellate filings are all on file here. The office is in the Union County Courthouse in Marysville.
For felony records, the Clerk holds indictments, court orders, sentencing entries, plea agreements, motions, and every other document from felony cases tried in Union County. These case files are public records under ORC 149.43. Anyone can request them. You do not need to be a party to the case, and you do not need to give a reason. The Clerk makes both plain copies and certified copies available. Certified copies have the court seal and serve as official documents. Plain copies work fine for personal reference or informal uses.
The Union County Clerk's office processes records requests in person and by mail. Standard copy fees apply. Plain copies run about $0.10 to $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more. When sending a mail request, include the defendant's full name, case number if you have it, or the approximate year of filing. A stamped return envelope speeds things along.
Union County Common Pleas Felony Cases
The Union County Court of Common Pleas General Division handles all felony criminal cases in the county. Arraignments, trials, sentencing, and post-conviction hearings all happen here. When someone gets arrested for a felony in Union County, the case begins with a preliminary hearing at the Marysville Municipal Court. If the judge finds probable cause, the case goes to Common Pleas for grand jury action.
Every step of a felony case generates records. Grand jury proceedings, pre-trial hearings, plea negotiations, trials, and sentencing all create documents that go into the official case file. Ohio's Rules of Criminal Procedure govern the process. Rule 4 covers arrest warrants and probable cause. Rule 10 handles arraignment. Rule 32 dictates what the sentencing entry must contain.
Union County's proximity to Columbus means the court sometimes sees cases with connections to the metro area. Court proceedings are open to the public. Docket information is available at the Clerk's office during regular hours. You can track a case by checking the docket sheet, which lists every filing and hearing date.
Union County Sheriff Felony Records
The Union County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and jail records for the county. The office runs the Union County Jail and tracks booking information, charges, and release dates.
For felony records research, the Sheriff can provide arrest details and custody records. Local background checks are available for a fee but only cover Union County convictions. For a statewide check, use the Ohio BCI WebCheck system at $22. This runs fingerprints through the state database and catches convictions from any Ohio county. You can add an FBI check for national records at an additional cost.
Most law enforcement records in Union County are public under ORC 149.43. Active investigation files may be held back. Once a case closes and charges get filed, the related reports open up. Call the Sheriff's Office to ask about specific records and current fees.
Note: Walk-in records requests at the Sheriff's Office are processed during normal business hours only.
Marysville Municipal Court Records
The Marysville Municipal Court handles preliminary hearings, bond settings, and initial appearances for felony cases in Union County. Records from these early proceedings show the original charges, which may change when the grand jury acts.
The Municipal Court also handles misdemeanor cases. Theft, assault, drug possession, traffic violations, and other lower-level offenses are all on file. If you are building a broad criminal background picture for someone in Union County, these records add useful context beyond just felony convictions. Records are available at the courthouse during business hours.
Sealing Union County Felony Records
ORC Chapter 2953 allows certain felony convictions to be sealed in Ohio. Once sealed, a Union County felony record will not appear in most public searches. The process begins with a petition filed at the Court of Common Pleas. The filing fee is about $50.
Violent offenses, sex crimes, and felonies with mandatory prison time cannot be sealed. Most first through fourth degree felonies can be sealed three years after final discharge. That means all prison, probation, post-release control, fines, and restitution must be finished. The Ohio Legal Help website has details on checking eligibility. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction keeps its own records for people who served state prison time, and those follow separate access rules.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Union County. Felony cases get tried where the offense took place. If you are not sure about jurisdiction, check the arrest location.