Source: http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/ohio/access-public-records-ohio
Timestamp: 2016-05-05 14:14:39
Document Index: 599559259

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149', '§ 149']

Access to Public Records in Ohio | Digital Media Law Project
HomeLegal GuideThreats DatabaseLegal AssistanceResearch & ResponseBlogAbout	Access to Public Records in Ohio Note: This page covers information specific to Ohio. For general information concerning access to government records see the Access to Government Records section of this guide. You have a statutory right to inspect a vast number of Ohio’s public records using the state's public records law. See chapter 149, section 43 of the Ohio Revised Code,
(Ohio Rev. Code).You do not have to reveal your identity or your
intended use of the records, as the official is not permitted to deny
your request on these grounds. See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(B)(4).
What Records Are Covered in Ohio
You are entitled to inspect and copy records of all "public
offices" under Ohio’s public records law. The term "public office" is
defined broadly and includes state, county, city, village, township,
and school district units. See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(A)(1). Consult Access to Government Meetings in Ohio and Ohio State Court Records for more information on how to access records from those government entities.
You should be able to request any document or file that the
public office has prepared or possesses, unless the records fall under
an exemption. See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(A)(1), which states that you can request any "records" of any public office. Exemptions
A public office may refuse disclosure of the requested records if one or more of the following statutory exemptions applies:
Medical records Probation or parole records
Adoption files and records related to adoption proceedings
Information from records contained in the putative father registry
DNA records stored in the DNA database
Certain inmate records
Department of Youth Services records pertaining to children in its custody
Records maintained by the Department of Job and Family Services
Information about the recreational activities of a minor
Certain records from the Child Fatality Review Board
Test materials or exams for licensure of a nursing home adminstrator
Financial statements and data that a person submits to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency
See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(A)(1) for more information on the exemptions. Additionally, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’ Open Government Guide: Ohio also discusses the exemptions under Ohio’s public records law.
How to Request Records in Ohio
You can make the request in any way you choose, such as via mail or
in person. Make your request as specific as possible so the records
keeper can find the record. You are not required to provide a written
request, although you may want to do so to better clarify your request.
If a written request would help the agency better identify and locate
the records, the records keeper may ask that you write the request.
However, the records keeper must inform you that a written request is
not required by law. See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(B)(5).
require the agency to create a record in response to your request.
Ohio law does not specify any exact time limits in which the
agency must respond to your request. However, upon receipt of your
request, the office must "promptly" prepare the records and make them
available for inspection. If you have requested copies of the records,
these copies shall be provided to you "within a reasonable period of
time." See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(B)(1).
The public records law is unclear about the specific fees you
may be charged for copies of records. Upon request, the office must
make copies "at cost," whch means that they cannot profit from your
request. The office can charge for "the cost involved in providing the
public record," and you may be required to pay the fee in advance. See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(B)(6). The statute does not specify exact rates the agency may charge (such as a maximum cost per copy).
What Are Your Remedies in Ohio
If the public office denies your request, the office must provide you with a legal explanation for the denial See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(B)(3).
If the public office is relying on an exemption, ask the records-keeper
to release the nonexempt portions of the record with the exempt
portions removed or redacted. If you feel that the denial does not comply with the Public
Records Act, your only remedy is to litigate the case. You can file an
action for a writ of mandamus, which is an action asking the court to
force the agency to comply with your request. If you prevail in court,
you may be entitled to attorney's fees and/or a damage award. See Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43(C)(1). Refer to our section on Finding Legal Help
the merits of a potential lawsuit against the public office.
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