Agawam Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Agawam, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Agawam, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that governmental records, with specific statutory exemptions, shall be accessible to members of the public. Arrest records, which document the apprehension and booking of individuals by law enforcement agencies, do not fall under protected exemptions and are therefore available for public inspection.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption of openness, requiring that all government records be accessible unless specifically exempted by statute. This transparency requirement extends to the Agawam Police Department and other municipal law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction. The public availability of these records serves to maintain accountability in law enforcement operations and provides citizens with access to information regarding public safety matters in their community.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c), which exempts personnel and medical files or information from disclosure.
How to Look Up Agawam Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Agawam, Massachusetts may utilize several established channels to obtain this information. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Agawam maintain multiple access points for record retrieval:
- Agawam Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Records Division during standard business hours. The department processes requests pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10.
Agawam Police Department
681 Springfield Street
Agawam, MA 01001
(413) 786-4767
Agawam Police Department
Online Public Records Portal: The Town of Agawam maintains an electronic records request system through which citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records and other public documents.
Hampden County District Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the clerk's office.
Hampden County District Court
30 Church Street
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 748-7838
- Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS): For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit requests through the state's CJIS division.
Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Requesters should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record location, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days.
Contents of an Agawam Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Agawam Police Department and accessible to the public typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement documentation standards:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, address of residence, physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks), and booking photograph ("mugshot")
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of apprehension; arresting officer identification; agency case number; and circumstances leading to arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section references; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies
Procedural Information: Booking location, temporary detention facility, arraignment date, and court of jurisdiction
Bail Determination: Amount of bail set, if applicable, and whether the subject was released on personal recognizance or held in custody pending arraignment
Property Inventory: Documentation of personal effects taken during the booking process
Miranda Acknowledgment: Record of rights advisement and subject's response
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and departmental documentation protocols. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with exemptions under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), including but not limited to: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Agawam
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 records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Agawam and throughout the Commonwealth.
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 have been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest date
- Qualifying juvenile records after statutory waiting periods
- Certain non-violent offenses after completion of waiting periods (typically 3-7 years depending on offense classification)
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation and notification to the District Attorney's office. If granted, expungement results in the permanent deletion of records from all criminal justice agencies, including the Agawam Police Department, court systems, and state databases.
Individuals seeking expungement must file petitions with:
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-5300
The petition must include certified copies of the disposition of the case, identification verification, and a statement of reasons for seeking expungement. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100K, the Commissioner shall have 60 days to review and make a determination on the petition.
Upon successful expungement, individuals may legally respond to inquiries regarding the arrest as if it never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain law enforcement and judicial purposes as specified in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100T.
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