Criminal records in Licking County, Ohio, are available through several channels — online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. LickingCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the Common Pleas Court case search portal, the sheriff's online inmate list, and the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
How to Search Criminal Records in Licking
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following pieces of information:
- Full name of the individual (first and last name)
- Case number
- Date of birth (for criminal history check through BCI)
Online Search
- Through LickingCourt.us — enter the name or case number to find public information on criminal cases in the county.
- Common Pleas Portal — the court records search page provides remote access to cases in the General Division and Domestic Relations Division of the Common Pleas Court. In June 2025, the Clerk of Courts office transitioned to a new case management system, so the search interface may differ from previous versions.
- Inmate Search — the active inmate list of Licking County Jail shows current detainees with charges, bail amounts, and status.
- State-level Convict Search — the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provides an offender search tool, where you can filter by county (select "Licking").
- Criminal History Check (BCI) — the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation processes official checks based on fingerprints.
In Person
The Clerk of Courts office welcomes visitors who wish to view court records on-site. Address:
Written Request
Requests for court records should be directed to the appropriate court. For other county public records, you can use the public records request form through the commissioners' office. To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, submit a request to BCI with a completed form and fingerprints.
Search Licking Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in Ohio typically consists of several elements separated by dashes or spaces. The typical format for a Common Pleas criminal case looks like this:
- Year — two-digit designation of the year of filing (e.g., 25 for 2025)
- Case Type Code — a letter abbreviation indicating the category. For criminal cases, this is usually CR (criminal). Traffic cases may have the code TRD
- Sequential Number — a numerical identifier within the year
For example, the number 25CR00123 indicates a criminal case filed in 2025 under sequential number 123. If you see a number like 25TRD06102, it is a traffic offense. The exact input format depends on the search system — some portals accept the number with dashes, others without them. Try both options if the first does not yield results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Licking
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Ohio Revised Code under which the charge is brought (e.g., ORC 2903.13 — Assault) |
| Severity | Felony (F1–F5, where F1 is the most severe), Misdemeanor (M1–M4), Minor Misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser one as part of a plea agreement |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has rendered a decision (sentence, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — first court appearance where the defendant hears the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (usually for felony)
- Pre-trial — parties exchange evidence, discuss possible plea agreement
- Trial — court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — imposition of punishment after a guilty plea
- Review — a control hearing regarding the fulfillment of sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted as a result of the trial |
| Dismissed | The case is closed by the prosecutor or court |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not dispute the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Licking
Certified copies of criminal cases are issued by the Clerk of Courts office. Such copies bear the official seal of the court and are accepted as a legal document.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the office at the address below. Bring valid photo identification (driver's license or passport)
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case number (if known), and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check
- Online — after the migration to a new system in 2025, check the current electronic ordering options on the Clerk of Courts website
State-level Criminal History Check
For an official criminal history check (background check), contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Fingerprints taken at an authorized location (usually at the sheriff's office or police department) and a completed request form are required. BCI processes about one million checks per year.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Licking
Below are the approximate fees charged for obtaining criminal records. Exact amounts may vary — check directly with the office or on the relevant agency's website.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (not certified) | $0.05–$0.10 per page | Clerk of Courts, according to Ohio R.C. § 2303.20 |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per document (plus copying cost) | Clerk of Courts |
| Criminal history check through BCI (WebCheck) | $22.00 (Ohio) / $24.00 (FBI) | Ohio Attorney General — BCI |
| Processing time — copies at the office | Usually same day or within 1–3 business days by mail | Clerk of Courts |
| Processing time — BCI (electronically) | Usually 2–5 business days | BCI WebCheck |
BCI check fees are paid at the fingerprinting location. Some locations charge an additional fee for the fingerprinting procedure itself. For the current fee schedule, contact the Licking County Sheriff's Office or call the court clerk's office.