> >Swansea Arrest Records

Swansea Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Swansea, Massachusetts?

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, arrest records are public in Swansea, Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Public Records Law establishes that government-generated documents, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. These records document individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction of Swansea. The public availability of such records serves multiple governmental purposes, including promoting transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public safety through informed citizenry, and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Records Access Officer for the Town of Swansea is responsible for processing public records requests in accordance with state regulations. Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided under exemptions to the Public Records Law.

How to Look Up Swansea Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Swansea, Massachusetts. The Commonwealth's commitment to government transparency provides citizens with several options for accessing these public documents. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following procedures:

Submit a formal public records request to the Swansea Police Department or Town Clerk's office
Visit the Swansea Police Department in person during regular business hours to request records
Access police dispatch logs through the official town website, which contain basic information about police responses and arrests
Utilize public access terminals located at the Swansea Town Hall
Mail a written request to the Records Access Officer at the appropriate department

When submitting requests, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought. The Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days as required by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a).

Swansea Police Department
1700 G.A.R. Highway
Swansea, MA 02777
Phone: (508) 674-8464
Official Website

Swansea Town Clerk's Office
81 Main Street
Swansea, MA 02777
Phone: (508) 678-9389
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Town Clerk Information

Contents of a Swansea Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Swansea Police Department contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and address
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying characteristics
Enumeration of criminal charges filed in connection with the arrest
Identity of the arresting officer(s) and agency
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Case or incident number assigned for administrative tracking
Preliminary information regarding bail determination
Custody status following initial processing

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 167-178B (Criminal Offender Record Information law), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records. Such redactions typically include Social Security numbers, information regarding juveniles, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Swansea

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100K-100U establishes the legal framework for expungement of criminal records, including arrest records, in Swansea and throughout the Commonwealth. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure or destruction of records, rendering them unavailable to the public and government agencies except in limited circumstances.

Individuals may petition for expungement of Swansea arrest records under the following conditions:

The arrest resulted in no criminal charges being filed
All charges were dismissed prior to arraignment
The arrest occurred due to mistaken identity or false identification
The arrest resulted from another person's unauthorized use of the petitioner's identity
The offense for which the person was arrested has been decriminalized
The petitioner meets statutory waiting periods (generally 7 years for misdemeanors, 10 years for felonies) and has no subsequent criminal convictions

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case was adjudicated. The petition must include certified copies of relevant court documents and an affidavit stating grounds for expungement. Judicial review determines whether expungement serves justice and public safety.

Successful expungement provides significant benefits, as Massachusetts law specifies that expunged records shall not operate to disqualify a person in any examination, appointment or application for public employment, nor shall such records be admissible in evidence against the individual in any court proceeding or hearing.

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Arrest Records

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts imposes certain limitations on access to arrest records in accordance with privacy protections and investigative integrity concerns. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 172 establishes that Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) shall be disseminated only in accordance with statutory provisions.

Restrictions that may apply to Swansea arrest records include:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 18 years of age) are generally not available to the public pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, § 60A
Information regarding ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Public Records Law exemption (f)
Records involving certain domestic violence or sexual assault cases may have victim information redacted
Sealed records, following court order under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100A, are not accessible through standard public records requests
Records that have been expunged are completely removed from public access

Law enforcement agencies, including the Swansea Police Department, must balance public disclosure requirements with privacy protections. The Massachusetts Public Records Division provides oversight to ensure compliance with applicable laws regarding record accessibility.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Swansea

The Town of Swansea assesses reasonable fees for the reproduction of arrest records in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(d). These fees are designed to cover the actual cost of reproducing the requested documents rather than to generate revenue.

The fee structure for arrest record requests typically includes:

Black and white photocopies: $0.05 per page
Search and segregation time: $25.00 per hour (first 2 hours may be free for certain requests)
Electronic records delivery: No charge when records exist in electronic format
Certification of documents: $1.00 per document
Storage media (CD/DVD): $1.00 per disc

Fee waivers may be available for requests that serve the public interest, as determined by the Records Access Officer. Individuals requesting fee waivers must demonstrate financial hardship and explain how disclosure would benefit the public interest rather than primarily serving a private interest.

Payment must be submitted with the records request in the form of check or money order made payable to "Town of Swansea." The Records Access Officer may require advance payment if fees are expected to exceed $25.00.