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Oak Bluffs Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts?

Arrest records in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts are considered public documents pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, codified under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10. This statute establishes that government-generated records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this level of transparency to ensure public oversight of law enforcement activities and to uphold the principles of governmental accountability.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law specifically designates arrest logs and police reports as public records, with certain statutory exemptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and information that may compromise public safety. The Oak Bluffs Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Records Conservation Board.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26). Such redactions typically include social security numbers, dates of birth, and other personally identifiable information not relevant to the public interest.

How to Look Up Oak Bluffs Arrest Records in 2025

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides multiple official channels through which interested parties may obtain arrest records from the Oak Bluffs jurisdiction:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests by visiting the Oak Bluffs Police Department located at 16 Oak Bluffs Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. A valid government-issued identification must be presented when requesting records in person.
Written Requests: Written applications for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to:

Oak Bluffs Police Department
Records Division
16 Oak Bluffs Avenue
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
Phone: (508) 693-0750
Official Police Department Website

Electronic Submissions: The Oak Bluffs Police Department accepts public records requests through their official municipal website. Requestors must complete the designated form specifying the records sought and providing contact information for response delivery.
Dukes County District Court: Court records related to arrests may be obtained from:

Dukes County District Court
81 Main Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-4753

This court has jurisdiction over Oak Bluffs cases as established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 218, § 1.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a), the Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07, which permits reasonable charges for reproduction costs.

Contents of an Oak Bluffs Arrest Record

Official arrest records maintained by the Oak Bluffs Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed narrative of the alleged criminal activity
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Formal charges filed by the prosecuting authority
Bail or bond determination and conditions
Custody status following initial appearance
Case disposition information, if available
Court docket number for associated judicial proceedings

The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system may contain additional details regarding the arrest that are accessible only to authorized entities under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 172. Public versions of arrest records may have certain information redacted in compliance with privacy protections established under state law.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Oak Bluffs are generally public, Massachusetts law establishes several important limitations on access:

Sealed records, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100A-C, are not available for public inspection. Records may be sealed by court order after specified waiting periods following case disposition.

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, § 60A, and are not publicly accessible except by court order.

Records pertaining to certain domestic violence incidents may have restricted access under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, § 97D to protect victim privacy.

Active criminal investigations may be temporarily exempt from disclosure under Massachusetts Public Records Law exemptions until the investigation concludes.

The Oak Bluffs Police Department Records Division applies these statutory exemptions when processing public records requests. Denials of access must cite the specific legal basis for withholding records and provide information regarding the appeal process to the Supervisor of Public Records within the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oak Bluffs

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure of records from both public access and official databases. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility for Oak Bluffs residents and others throughout the Commonwealth.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100E-K, individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest resulted from mistaken identity or the unauthorized use of personal identifying information
The offense was committed by another person using the petitioner's identity
The case was dismissed with prejudice prior to arraignment
The arrest record was created as a result of a demonstrable error by law enforcement
The offense for which the person was arrested is no longer a crime

Petitions for expungement must be filed with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case originated. For Oak Bluffs arrests, this typically means the Dukes County District Court. The petition must include certified copies of relevant court documents and a sworn affidavit attesting to eligibility.

The court must hold a hearing within 21 days of receiving the petition. If expungement is granted, all records of the arrest are permanently destroyed, including those maintained by the Oak Bluffs Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, and all court records.