Pittsfield Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Pittsfield, Massachusetts?
Arrest records in Pittsfield, Massachusetts are public documents accessible to members of the general public. Pursuant to Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10), government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies, are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Pittsfield Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public accessibility.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law establishes that citizens have the right to access public records without questioning by the record custodian regarding the requester's motives or intended use of the information. This statutory framework promotes governmental transparency and accountability while balancing privacy considerations as outlined in exemption provisions under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted prior to release in accordance with statutory exemptions, particularly information that might compromise ongoing investigations or constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as determined by the records custodian.
How to Look Up Pittsfield Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records from the Pittsfield Police Department. The following methods are available for accessing these public records:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Records Division of the Pittsfield Police Department, located at 39 Allen Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. The Records Division maintains public counter hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit formal written requests via U.S. mail addressed to:
Pittsfield Police Department
Records Division
39 Allen Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (413) 448-9700
Official WebsiteElectronic Submissions: The department accepts public records requests via email to records@pittsfieldpd.org. Requesters should include specific information regarding the record sought, including names, dates, and incident numbers when available.
Massachusetts POST Commission: Additional information regarding the Pittsfield Police Department may be obtained through the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, which maintains oversight records for law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), the records custodian must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07, which permits reasonable charges for reproduction costs and, in certain circumstances, for search and segregation time.
Contents of a Pittsfield Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Pittsfield Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:
Biographical Information: The full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot").
Incident Details: Comprehensive documentation of the arrest circumstances, including date, time, and precise location where the apprehension occurred.
Criminal Charges: Enumeration of all charges filed against the individual, including the specific Massachusetts General Laws allegedly violated, with statutory citations (e.g., M.G.L. c. 265, § 13A for assault).
Arresting Authority: Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and the names of the arresting officers.
Case Identifiers: Unique booking number, incident report number, and docket number (once assigned by the court) for administrative tracking purposes.
Judicial Information: Court of jurisdiction, arraignment date, bail determination, and preliminary hearing schedules when applicable.
Disposition Status: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including whether the individual remains in custody or has been released.
The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law, codified at M.G.L. c. 6, § 172, governs the dissemination of certain criminal history information and may limit access to complete records in specific circumstances.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Pittsfield
Massachusetts law provides mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by the Pittsfield Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility in the Commonwealth.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, expungement may be available under the following circumstances:
- The arrest resulted from a demonstrable error by law enforcement or court personnel.
- The offense for which the person was arrested has been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest.
- The petitioner was under 21 years of age at the time of the offense, and the offense occurred at least three years prior to the petition filing.
- The Commissioner of Probation determines that expungement is in the interest of justice.
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation at:
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
Massachusetts Probation Service
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-5300
Official Website
Petitioners must utilize the standardized form prescribed by the Commissioner of Probation and may be required to appear at a hearing. If granted, expungement results in the permanent erasure of records, rendering the arrest as if it never occurred in the legal sense.
The Massachusetts State Police, which maintains the central repository for criminal history information, must be notified of any expungement order and must modify their records accordingly. The Pittsfield Police Department is similarly obligated to comply with court-ordered expungements by removing all references to the expunged arrest from publicly accessible records.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the legal standards for granting such relief are stringent, and the burden of demonstrating eligibility rests with the petitioner. The statute explicitly excludes certain serious offenses from expungement eligibility, including sex offenses, firearms violations, and offenses against vulnerable persons.
Search Arrest Records in Pittsfield
