Peabody Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Peabody, Massachusetts?
Arrest records in Peabody, Massachusetts are considered public documents pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that government-created records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this transparency to ensure governmental accountability and public awareness of law enforcement activities.
Certain exemptions may apply to arrest records under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), particularly when disclosure would:
- Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Compromise an ongoing investigation
- Reveal the identity of confidential informants
- Endanger the life or physical safety of any individual
- Interfere with law enforcement proceedings
The Peabody Police Department maintains custody of local arrest records and processes requests in accordance with state regulations. Records may be redacted to protect sensitive information while still providing public access to non-exempt portions of the documents.
How to Look Up Peabody Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Peabody, Massachusetts as of 2025. Interested parties may utilize the following official channels to access this information:
- In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Peabody Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit a formal request for arrest records. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees may apply.
Peabody Police Department
6 Allens Lane
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 538-6300
Peabody Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Access: The City of Peabody Official Website provides limited access to certain public records. Users may search for basic arrest information through the city's public records portal.
Essex County District Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the District Court serving Peabody.
Essex County District Court - Peabody Division
1 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 538-1667
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, citizens may submit written requests for arrest records to the Records Access Officer at the Peabody Police Department. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and may be subject to reasonable fees for reproduction.
Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS): For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Peabody, requests may be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Contents of a Peabody Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Peabody Police Department typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols:
Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency case number; and circumstances leading to the arrest
Criminal Charges: Complete list of charges filed, including Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section references; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies
Booking Information: Time of booking, property inventory, medical screening results (non-confidential portions), and temporary detention location
Identification Records: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and other biometric data collected during the booking process
Judicial Processing: Court of jurisdiction, arraignment date, bail determination, and initial plea information
Prior Record: References to previous arrests or convictions, if applicable and relevant to the current case
Victim Information: Limited information regarding alleged victims, typically redacted in public versions to protect privacy in accordance with M.G.L. c. 41, § 97D
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records (under age 18) are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Massachusetts law and may not be included in publicly accessible records.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Peabody
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement of Peabody arrest records through the following process:
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- Cases resulting in no conviction (dismissal, not guilty finding, nolle prosequi)
- Cases involving mistaken identity or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
- Offenses that are no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
- Cases meeting time requirements (generally 7 years for misdemeanors, 10 years for felonies)
- Petitioner has no other criminal record in Massachusetts or other jurisdictions
The expungement process requires:
- Submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation on the prescribed form
- Filing with the court where the case originated
- Notification to the District Attorney's office
- Judicial review and determination
- If granted, permanent destruction of all records related to the arrest
Expunged records are removed from all public and law enforcement databases, and the arrest is treated as if it never occurred. Individuals with expunged records may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest never happened, with limited exceptions for certain law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Petitioners may file expungement requests at:
Essex County District Court - Peabody Division
1 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 538-1667
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Legal assistance for expungement petitions may be obtained through:
Northeast Legal Aid
50 Island Street, Suite 203A
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 458-1465
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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