Swampscott Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Swampscott, Massachusetts?
Arrest records in Swampscott, Massachusetts are considered public documents and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10), which establishes that government-generated records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection. The statute serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to this legislation, the Swampscott Police Department maintains arrest logs that document individuals taken into custody within municipal boundaries. These records are subject to certain exemptions as outlined in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), which may restrict access to information that could compromise ongoing investigations or infringe upon protected privacy interests.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has established a presumption of openness regarding public records, including arrest information. Residents and non-residents alike may request access to these documents without providing identification or stating the purpose of their inquiry. The custodian of records at the Swampscott Police Department is required by statute to respond to such requests within 10 business days. While nominal fees may be assessed for reproduction of documents, the fundamental right to inspect these records remains protected under state law.
How to Look Up Swampscott Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple avenues exist for individuals seeking to obtain arrest records in Swampscott. The Records Division of the Swampscott Police Department serves as the primary repository for such information. Interested parties may utilize the following methods to access arrest documentation:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Records Division counter located at the Swampscott Police Department, 531 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA 01907. Counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests can be directed to the Records Division at the aforementioned address. Correspondence should include the requestor's contact information and specific details regarding the desired records, such as the subject's name and approximate date of arrest.
Electronic requests may be submitted via the department's online portal, which has been enhanced in 2025 to accommodate digital record retrieval. The system allows for secure transmission of requests and electronic delivery of non-sensitive documents.
Telephone inquiries may be made to the Records Division at (781) 595-1111. Staff members can provide guidance regarding the availability of specific records and procedural requirements for their acquisition.
The Essex County District Attorney's Office maintains a secondary repository of arrest information for cases that have proceeded to prosecution. Their records may be accessed at 10 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970, during business hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, the custodian must provide a written response within 10 business days of receiving a request. This response will either include the requested records, deny access with specific statutory justification, or request an extension if the records cannot be produced within the initial timeframe.
Contents of a Swampscott Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Swampscott Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These documents typically encompass the following elements:
Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, and residential address at the time of arrest
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, hair color, and distinguishing characteristics or marks
Temporal and geographical information pertaining to the arrest, including the precise date, time, and location where the apprehension occurred
Statutory citations and narrative descriptions of the alleged offenses that precipitated the arrest
Identification of the arresting officer(s), including name, badge number, and departmental affiliation
Procedural details regarding booking, including fingerprinting, photographing, and property inventory
Judicial information, such as court of jurisdiction, docket number, arraignment date, and initial bail determination
Disposition information, if available, indicating whether the case resulted in dismissal, conviction, acquittal, or other resolution
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records pertaining to juveniles or certain protected categories of offenses may be subject to enhanced confidentiality provisions under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 60A.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Swampscott
Massachusetts law provides mechanisms through which individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 (Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) expanded expungement eligibility in the Commonwealth, allowing for the permanent erasure of certain records from public access.
Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, expungement may be available in the following scenarios:
Cases involving mistaken identity or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
Offenses that are no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
Cases where the arrest resulted from demonstrable law enforcement misconduct
Certain juvenile offenses, provided statutory waiting periods have elapsed
Specific adult offenses after a mandatory waiting period, provided the petitioner has no subsequent criminal convictions
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation using the prescribed form. The petition must be accompanied by supporting documentation substantiating the grounds for expungement. Upon receipt, the Commissioner forwards the petition to the appropriate District Attorney's Office, which has 30 days to register any objections.
If expungement is granted, all records pertaining to the arrest are permanently destroyed, including those maintained by the Swampscott Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, and the courts. Following expungement, the individual may lawfully represent that the arrest never occurred.
The Essex County Superior Court, located at 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970, processes expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within Swampscott's jurisdiction. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and the Clerk's Office can be reached at (978) 744-5500 for procedural inquiries.
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