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Lynn Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lynn, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Lynn, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public, with certain statutory exemptions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Lynn Police Department maintains custody of arrest records within the municipality and processes requests for these documents in accordance with state regulations. Requestors should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure.

How to Access Lynn Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lynn have multiple methods available for obtaining this information. The Lynn Police Department processes requests through the following channels:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests by visiting the Lynn Police Department Records Office during regular business hours.

Lynn Police Department Records Office
300 Washington Street
Lynn, MA 01902
Phone: (781) 595-2000
Official Records Request Guidelines

Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests via postal mail to the Records Office address listed above. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Online Submission: The City of Lynn's Public Records Request portal allows for electronic submission of records requests. This system streamlines the process and provides tracking capabilities for submitted requests.
City Clerk's Office: For historical arrest records or certified copies, the City Clerk maintains certain municipal records.

Lynn City Clerk's Office
Lynn City Hall, Room 201
3 City Hall Square
Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: (781) 586-6742
City Clerk's Office

Pursuant to Massachusetts Public Records Law, agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply for search, retrieval, and reproduction of records as authorized under 950 CMR 32.07.

Contents of a Lynn Arrest Record

Lynn arrest records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. Standard arrest records maintained by the Lynn Police Department include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical descriptors (height, weight, hair color, eye color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
Biometric data including fingerprints and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Date, time, and geographic location of the arrest
Incident report detailing the circumstances leading to the arrest
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable Massachusetts General Laws
Arresting officer's information and badge number
Booking information including processing time and location
Custody status information (release on personal recognizance, bail amount, or detention)
Court docket number and scheduled appearance information

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the stage of criminal proceedings. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may have limited availability pursuant to exemptions under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26)(f).

Legal Restrictions on Lynn Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public documents, Massachusetts law imposes certain restrictions on their disclosure. The Lynn Police Department and other custodial agencies must adhere to the following limitations:

Records pertaining to sexual assault victims are subject to privacy protections under M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 97D
Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age) are confidential pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 119, Section 60A, except under specific court orders
Records related to domestic violence may have restricted access under M.G.L. Chapter 209A
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26)(f)
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) is subject to additional regulations under M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178

Requestors should be aware that while the arrest record itself may be public, associated court records may be subject to different access protocols through the Massachusetts Trial Court system.

Fees for Obtaining Lynn Arrest Records

The Lynn Police Department assesses fees for arrest record requests in accordance with Massachusetts Public Records Law and municipal regulations. Current fee structures include:

Standard arrest report: $1.00 per page
Certified copies: $2.00 per page
Research and retrieval fees: $25.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is free)
Specialized reports or extensive redaction requirements: Additional fees may apply

Payment methods accepted include cash, money orders, and personal checks made payable to "City of Lynn." Electronic payment options may be available through the online request portal. Fee waivers may be granted in cases where disclosure would serve the public interest, as determined by the Records Access Officer.

All fees are assessed in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07, which governs the reasonable fees for public records in Massachusetts.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lynn

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U (as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018), individuals may petition for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.

Expungement in Lynn follows state procedures and may be available in cases where:

The arrest resulted from mistaken identity or the unauthorized use of the individual's identity
The offense has been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest (e.g., certain marijuana offenses)
The petitioner was under 21 years of age at the time of the offense (limited to certain offenses)
The record resulted from fraudulent behavior of another
The court determines that expungement is in the interest of justice

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case was adjudicated. If granted, expungement results in the permanent erasure of the record, making it unavailable through standard public records requests.

Individuals seeking expungement of Lynn arrest records should note that the process differs from sealing records, which merely restricts access rather than destroying the record. Legal assistance is strongly recommended due to the technical nature of expungement proceedings.

Using Lynn Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities conducting background checks in Lynn must comply with both Massachusetts and federal regulations governing the use of arrest records. Key provisions include:

The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Reform Law restricts when and how employers may inquire about criminal history
"Ban the Box" provisions under M.G.L. Chapter 151B prohibit initial employment applications from containing questions about criminal history
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) imposes additional requirements when third-party consumer reporting agencies are used
Arrest records that did not result in conviction may have limited permissible uses under state law

Organizations conducting background checks using Lynn arrest records must obtain proper authorization and provide required disclosures to the subject of the check. Improper use of arrest record information may result in civil liability under state and federal law.