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Chicopee Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chicopee, Massachusetts?

Arrest records in Chicopee, Massachusetts are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that government-generated records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The law serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Chicopee Police Department maintains an arrest log in compliance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41, Section 98F, which mandates that each police department keep and maintain a daily log of arrests. These logs must be available for public inspection at reasonable times and without charge, except for records of juvenile arrests which are subject to specific confidentiality provisions under state law.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, witness safety, or personal identifying information as permitted under exemptions to the Public Records Law.

How to Look Up Chicopee Arrest Records in 2025

The Chicopee Police Department provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division at the Chicopee Police Department to submit requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Staff will assist with locating and providing available public records.
Online Access: The 2025 Arrest Logs are published on the official Chicopee municipal website, providing a convenient method for accessing recent arrest information without visiting the police department.
Written Requests: Formal public records requests may be submitted in writing to the Records Access Officer at the Chicopee Police Department. These requests should specify the records being sought with reasonable clarity.
Electronic Submissions: The department accepts records requests via email through their Records Requests system, which streamlines the process for obtaining copies of arrest records and other police documents.

Chicopee Police Department
110 Church Street
Chicopee, MA 01020
Phone: (413) 594-1700
Official Website

Records Division Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and holidays

Contents of a Chicopee Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Chicopee Police Department contain specific information as required by Massachusetts General Laws. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Nature of the alleged offense and statutory citations
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint records when collected
Name of the arresting officer(s)
Custody status information
Court docket number when assigned
Bail or bond information when applicable

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 41, § 98F, the daily arrest logs must contain the following minimum information: name and address of persons arrested, offense(s) charged, and the date and time of the arrest. The Chicopee Police Department maintains these records in compliance with state recordkeeping requirements and retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Secretary of State.

It should be noted that arrest records reflect only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Chicopee, Massachusetts law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice process:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A, records of juvenile arrests (individuals under 18 years of age) are not available for public inspection except by court order.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A-C are not accessible to the general public.
Ongoing Investigations: Information that could compromise active investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemption (f) of the Public Records Law.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI): Access to comprehensive criminal history information is restricted under the CORI Reform Law (M.G.L. c. 6, § 172) and requires proper authorization.
Domestic Violence Cases: Certain identifying information in domestic violence cases may be withheld to protect victims pursuant to M.G.L. c. 41, § 97D.

The Chicopee Police Department is required to balance the public's right to information with these statutory protections. Records Access Officers review requests to ensure compliance with all applicable laws before releasing arrest information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chicopee

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The CORI Reform Act of 2018 (Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) expanded eligibility for expungement in the Commonwealth.

Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Chicopee must:

File a petition with the Commissioner of Probation using the prescribed form
Meet statutory eligibility requirements under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-K
Demonstrate that the record resulted from a false identification or fraud, or that expungement is in the interests of justice

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

The offense occurred before the petitioner's 21st birthday, or
The record is at least 7 years old (for misdemeanors) or 10 years old (for felonies), and
The offense is not excluded from expungement eligibility under § 100E

The Commissioner of Probation reviews each petition individually, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, the petitioner's age at the time of the offense, and subsequent criminal history. If granted, expungement results in the permanent destruction of all records pertaining to the arrest, including electronic records maintained by the Chicopee Police Department.

Individuals with questions regarding expungement eligibility should consult with the Hampden County Probation Department:

Hampden County Probation Department
50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 748-7838

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records

The Chicopee Police Department assesses fees for copies of arrest records in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law and municipal fee schedules. Current fee structures include:

Standard paper copies: $0.05 per page for black and white copies
Certified copies: $1.00 per page
Electronic records: No charge for records provided electronically when available
Research and retrieval fees: May apply for requests requiring more than 2 hours of staff time at a rate not to exceed $25 per hour

Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure would serve the public interest, as determined by the Records Access Officer. Individuals experiencing financial hardship may submit a written request for a fee waiver along with their records request.

Payment methods accepted by the Chicopee Police Department include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Money orders
Personal checks (made payable to "City of Chicopee")
Credit cards (for in-person requests)

All fees collected are deposited into the City of Chicopee general fund in accordance with municipal finance regulations.