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Beverly Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Beverly, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Beverly, Massachusetts, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, commonly known as the Massachusetts Public Records Law. This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure transparency in government operations and to facilitate public oversight of law enforcement activities. Residents and non-residents alike may request and obtain arrest records maintained by the Beverly Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within the city limits.

The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, which oversees public records compliance, has determined that basic arrest information must be disclosed in accordance with the public's right to know. This includes information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement personnel within the municipal boundaries of Beverly. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from these records in accordance with privacy protections established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26).

How to Look Up Beverly Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Beverly have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Beverly Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several access options:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Beverly Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit a public records request. Staff will assist requesters in completing the necessary forms and identifying specific records of interest.
Written Requests: Public records requests may be submitted via postal mail to the department's Records Division. Requests should include specific information such as the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.
Electronic Requests: The Beverly Police Department accepts public records requests through their online portal, which provides a streamlined process for submission and tracking of requests.
Public Access Terminals: Designated computer terminals at the Beverly Public Library provide access to certain public records databases, including non-confidential arrest information.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a), the Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07, which establishes guidelines for reasonable charges related to record reproduction and staff time.

Beverly Police Department
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: (978) 922-1212
Beverly Police Department Official Website

Operating Hours for Records Division:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Contents of a Beverly Arrest Record

Beverly arrest records typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and generally include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and any known aliases or previous identities.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred, including street address or intersection.
Offense Information: Description of the alleged criminal violation, including applicable Massachusetts General Laws citations and statutory references.
Arresting Agency Data: Identification of the law enforcement agency that executed the arrest, including the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Booking Documentation: Photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during the booking process, fingerprint records, and other biometric identifiers collected at the time of processing.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, detention facility assignment, and scheduled court appearances.
Case Disposition: Ultimate resolution of the case, including dismissal, conviction, acquittal, or other judicial outcomes when available.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26), particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Beverly, Massachusetts law establishes several important limitations on access and use. The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law, codified in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 167-178, governs the dissemination of criminal history information and imposes restrictions on certain categories of records.

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, § 60A. These records are not publicly accessible except under limited circumstances as determined by judicial order. Similarly, records related to certain domestic violence incidents may be subject to privacy protections under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209A.

The Beverly Police Department is required to withhold or redact:

Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Medical or health information protected under state and federal law
Information that could compromise ongoing investigations
Information that could endanger the safety of law enforcement personnel
Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties as prescribed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10A.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Beverly

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement if their arrest record resulted from:

False identification or the unauthorized use of their identity
Fraud perpetrated upon the court
Demonstrable errors by law enforcement, witnesses, or court employees
Offenses that have been decriminalized subsequent to the time of arrest

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the appropriate court of jurisdiction. If granted, expungement results in the permanent erasure of records, making them unavailable through standard public records requests. The statute specifies that expunged records shall not be accessible to any entity, including law enforcement agencies, except under extraordinary circumstances as determined by judicial order.

Individuals seeking expungement of Beverly arrest records should be aware that the process involves strict statutory requirements and procedural complexities. The Massachusetts Trial Court provides standardized petition forms and procedural guidance through their administrative offices.

Massachusetts Probation Service
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-5300
Massachusetts Court System Website

Using Beverly Arrest Records

Members of the public accessing arrest records in Beverly are advised that these documents reflect allegations and procedural actions rather than final determinations of guilt. Under Massachusetts and federal constitutional principles, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B, § 4(9) prohibits certain uses of arrest records, particularly in employment contexts. Specifically, employers are generally prohibited from inquiring about:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
First-time misdemeanor convictions older than five years
Sealed or expunged records

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office enforces these provisions and may pursue action against entities that improperly discriminate based on arrest record information. Individuals who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Massachusetts Attorney General's Office
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2200
Massachusetts Attorney General's Office Website