Barnstable Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Barnstable, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Barnstable, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to governmental records throughout the Commonwealth. The law operates under the presumption that all records created or maintained by government agencies are public unless specifically exempted by statute. Law enforcement agencies in Barnstable County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records generally fall within the category of accessible public information.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law serves several important functions:

• Promotes transparency in governmental operations
• Ensures accountability of public officials and agencies
• Provides citizens with information about law enforcement activities
• Supports public safety through informed awareness
• Facilitates research and statistical analysis of crime patterns

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld under exemptions provided in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation. Juvenile arrest records typically receive additional confidentiality protections under Massachusetts law.

How to Look Up Barnstable Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Barnstable as of 2025, reflecting the modernization of public records systems. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following official channels:

• Online Public Access Portal: The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of recent arrests and inmate information. Users may search by name, booking date, or case number through the secure county portal.

• In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Records Division of the Barnstable Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records.

  Barnstable Police Department
  1200 Phinney's Lane
  Hyannis, MA 02601
  Phone: (508) 775-6311
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Barnstable County Courthouse: The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.

  Barnstable County Superior Court
  3195 Main Street
  Barnstable, MA 02630
  Phone: (508) 375-6684
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

• Written Requests: Individuals may submit formal written requests for arrest records via U.S. mail. Requests must include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and requester's contact information. A nominal processing fee may apply, payable by check or money order.

• Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board: For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests throughout Massachusetts, requests may be submitted to the state's central repository.

  Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
  200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
  Chelsea, MA 02150
  Phone: (617) 660-4600
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 172, certain criminal record information may require specific authorization forms and identity verification procedures.

Contents of a Barnstable Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Barnstable law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual's processing through the criminal justice system. These records typically include:

• Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, residential address, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and demographic data

• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; statutory authority for the arrest; whether arrest was made pursuant to warrant or probable cause determination

• Criminal Charges: Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section citations for alleged violations; classification of offenses as felonies or misdemeanors; brief narrative description of alleged criminal conduct

• Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, photographic identification (mugshot), personal property inventory, and medical screening notes

• Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, pretrial detention, or release conditions imposed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 58

• Procedural History: Court appearance dates, case numbers assigned by the Barnstable District Court or Barnstable Superior Court, and preliminary disposition information

Law enforcement agencies in Barnstable County maintain these records in accordance with records retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Records Conservation Board, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 8.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Barnstable

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 (Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) expanded expungement eligibility in the Commonwealth. Individuals seeking expungement of Barnstable arrest records must navigate statutory requirements codified in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U.

Expungement eligibility criteria include:

• The arrest resulted in no criminal charges being filed
• All charges were dismissed prior to arraignment
• The offense occurred before the individual's 21st birthday
• The offense is no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
• The record resulted from false identification or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
• The offense falls within statutory eligibility categories and waiting periods have elapsed

The expungement process requires:

1. Submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation on the prescribed form
2. Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
3. Verification of eligibility by the Commissioner of Probation
4. Judicial review and determination
5. Notification to all relevant agencies to destroy records upon approval

Upon successful expungement, all records pertaining to the arrest are permanently destroyed, not merely sealed. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100T, expunged records shall not be considered in any housing, employment, licensing, or educational decisions.

Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through:

Barnstable County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
3180 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: (508) 362-2121

Legal Services of Cape Cod and Islands
460 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: (508) 775-7020

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