Criminal records in Ross County, Ohio, are available through several channels. RossCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, the Ross County Clerk of Courts office, law enforcement agencies, and state criminal history repositories. Computerized court records in the county have been maintained since November 1989.
How to Search Criminal Records in Ross
There are several ways to find criminal records in Ross County. Each method is suitable for different situations.
Online Search
- Start with RossCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available court case information.
- Use the record search feature on the Ross County Clerk of Courts website. Computerized data covers cases starting from November 1989.
- To search for inmates in state correctional facilities, use the Offender Search by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
- Federal criminal cases are available through the PACER system.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Common Pleas Court Clerk's office in Chillicothe. Public access terminals are available on-site for viewing court records. Bring identification.
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the Ross County Clerk of Courts or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to obtain an official criminal history. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and, if available, the case number.
What you need to start the search:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Ross Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Ohio, court case numbers typically have a standard structure that includes the year of filing, case type, and sequential number. For example, a criminal case might look like this: 2024 CR 000123.
Here's what each part means:
- 2024 — the year the case was filed in court
- CR — case type code (CR denotes a criminal case; CRB may indicate a criminal misdemeanor)
- 000123 — the sequential case number within the year
Other common case type codes in Ohio:
| Code | Case Type |
|---|---|
| CR | Criminal Case (Felony) |
| CRB | Criminal Misdemeanor |
| TRC | Traffic Crime |
| TRD | Traffic Violation |
| OVI | Operating a Vehicle Impaired |
If you have the exact case number, the search will take just seconds — it's the fastest way to find the record you need.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Ross
Each criminal case in Ross County contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
Charges indicate a specific violation of Ohio law. Each charge includes:
- Statute Code — reference to the Ohio Revised Code (e.g., ORC §2913.02 — theft)
- Severity Level — felony from 1st to 5th degree, misdemeanor from 1st to 4th degree, or minor misdemeanor
- Amended Charges — the prosecutor may change the initial charges during the case
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open, no decision has been made yet |
| Active | The case is actively being processed |
| Disposed | The court has made a final decision |
| Closed | All procedures are completed, the case is closed |
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case:
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges; the defendant states their plea
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-trial — parties discuss procedural matters before the trial
- Sentencing — issuing a sentence after a guilty plea
- Review — reviewing probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury decision |
| No Contest | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not admit guilt |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Ross
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court's seal that have legal force. In Ross County, they are issued by the Common Pleas Court Clerk.
How to Submit a Request
- In-Person — visit the Clerk's office. You will need a photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request to the Clerk's address. Include the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and purpose of the request. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online — some documents can be downloaded from the Clerk's website. A personal visit may be required to obtain a certified copy.
For a state-level request — contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which is part of the Ohio Attorney General's Office. BCI processes fingerprint-based criminal history checks.
Review the public records request requirements on the Clerk's website.
Clerk of Courts Contact Information
Ross County Clerk of Courts
The current Clerk of the Common Pleas Court is Jordan Wheeler, elected in 2024.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Ross
The cost of obtaining criminal records in Ross County depends on the type of request. Below are the main fees.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.05 – $0.10 (depending on format) |
| Document certification | Additional fee for court seal |
| Vehicle record (Title Division) | $2.00 per record |
| Criminal history check via BCI (fingerprints) | Set by Ohio Attorney General |
Exact certification fees should be confirmed directly with the Clerk's office, as they may change. Under Ohio's public records law (ORC §149.43), citizens have the right to access public documents, and only the actual cost of copying may be charged.
Processing Times
- In-Person Requests — usually processed on the day of the request if records are in the computerized system (since November 1989).
- Mail Requests — processing may take a few business days to two weeks, depending on complexity.
- Requests via BCI — state-level fingerprint-based checks usually take longer; specific times depend on workload.
For older cases that have not been digitized, the Clerk may need additional time to search physical archives.