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Shutesbury Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Shutesbury, Massachusetts?

Arrest records in Shutesbury, Massachusetts are considered public documents under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this transparency to ensure accountability in the criminal justice system and to provide citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Shutesbury Police Department are required by law to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26). Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, access may be subject to administrative fees for processing and reproduction of documents pursuant to 950 CMR 32.07.

How to Look Up Shutesbury Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Shutesbury have multiple avenues through which they may submit requests. The following official channels have been established for this purpose:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Shutesbury Police Department located at 1 Cooleyville Road, Shutesbury, MA 01072. The records division is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests may be mailed to: Shutesbury Police Department 1 Cooleyville Road Shutesbury, MA 01072 Phone: (413) 259-1279 Official Website: Town of Shutesbury Police Department
Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and can be contacted at: Franklin County Sheriff's Office 160 Elm Street Greenfield, MA 01301 Phone: (413) 774-4014 Official Website: Franklin County Sheriff's Office
The Massachusetts State Police Central Records Division provides access to state-level arrest information: Massachusetts State Police Headquarters 470 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702 Phone: (508) 820-2300 Official Website: Massachusetts State Police

Requesters must provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(b), agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days.

Contents of a Shutesbury Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Shutesbury Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual's processing through the initial stages of the criminal justice system. These records typically include:

Demographic information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, address, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks such as scars or tattoos)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations and criminal charges filed
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Incident report number and booking reference
Mugshot photographs taken during booking
Fingerprint records and biometric identifiers
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Initial court appearance information
Bail or bond determination
Detention facility assignment if applicable

The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, governed by M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 172, regulates how these records are maintained and accessed. Law enforcement agencies are required to submit arrest information to the state's central repository within 24 hours of booking pursuant to 803 CMR 2.04.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, Massachusetts law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect certain interests. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access in Shutesbury:

Juvenile records (individuals under 18) are subject to special confidentiality protections under M.G.L. Chapter 119, Section 60A, and are not publicly accessible without a court order.
Records pertaining to sexual assault victims contain redactions to protect victim identity pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 97D.
Sealed records, following court order under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A, are removed from public access.
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemptions provided in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26)(f).
Mental health-related arrests may have restricted access under federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws.
Domestic violence victim information is protected under M.G.L. Chapter 209A.

The Shutesbury Police Department Records Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with these restrictions when processing public records requests. Violations of these confidentiality provisions may result in administrative penalties or civil liability for the releasing agency.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Shutesbury

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U. Expungement permanently destroys records, rendering them inaccessible to both the public and government agencies.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Shutesbury include:

Cases resulting in no conviction (dismissal, not guilty verdict, nolle prosequi)
Cases involving mistaken identity or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
Offenses that have been decriminalized since the time of arrest
Qualifying juvenile offenses after statutory waiting periods
Certain non-violent adult offenses after statutory waiting periods (typically 7 years)

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal applications with:

Franklin County Superior Court 43 Hope Street Greenfield, MA 01301 Phone: (413) 775-7400 Official Website: Massachusetts Trial Court

Petitioners must submit Form MLCI-1 (Petition for Expungement) along with supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility. The court schedules a hearing where the District Attorney's Office may contest the petition. If granted, the court issues an expungement order directing all agencies, including the Shutesbury Police Department, to destroy relevant records.

The Massachusetts Probation Service oversees implementation of expungement orders and verifies compliance by all record-holding agencies within 30 days of court order issuance.