Southwick Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Southwick, Massachusetts?
Arrest records in Southwick, Massachusetts are considered public documents pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that governmental records, with certain specified exemptions, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to facilitate public oversight of law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law defines public records as materials made or received by any officer or employee of any Massachusetts governmental entity. Arrest records fall within this definition as they document official actions taken by law enforcement personnel. These records serve multiple public interests, including:
- Providing transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
- Supporting accountability in the criminal justice system
- Facilitating research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld under statutory exemptions, particularly information that might compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or violate privacy rights in specific circumstances as outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).
How to Look Up Southwick Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Southwick, Massachusetts. Pursuant to technological advancements and digital record-keeping protocols, the following official channels are available to members of the public seeking access to arrest information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Southwick Police Department headquarters. Requestors should be prepared to complete a formal records request form and provide identification. The department maintains public counter hours for this purpose.
Southwick Police Department
11 Depot Street
Southwick, MA 01077
(413) 569-5348
Southwick Police Department
Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division of the Southwick Police Department. Correspondence should include the requestor's contact information, specific information being sought, and relevant dates or names to facilitate record location.
The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system provides another avenue for obtaining certain criminal history information. Access to CORI records requires registration and adherence to state protocols as established by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Court records containing arrest information may be accessed through the Massachusetts Trial Court. The Westfield District Court maintains jurisdiction over Southwick cases.
Westfield District Court
224 Elm Street
Westfield, MA 01085
(413) 562-6500
Contents of a Southwick Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Southwick Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of the circumstances and individuals involved in an arrest. Standard information included in these records consists of:
- Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, residential address, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye and hair color
- Unique identifiers including state identification numbers and, when applicable, FBI numbers
- Temporal and geographic information detailing when and where the arrest occurred
- Specific statutory violations alleged, including Massachusetts General Law citations and local ordinance references
- Narrative reports authored by arresting officers describing the circumstances leading to and surrounding the arrest
- Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking procedure
- Custody status information including bail determinations and conditions of release
- Case disposition information when available, including court dates and preliminary outcomes
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary according to the nature of the offense, departmental protocols, and case-specific factors. Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality provisions under M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Southwick
Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility in the Commonwealth. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement when:
- The arrest resulted from mistaken identity or the unauthorized use of the petitioner's identity
- The offense for which the petitioner was arrested has been decriminalized
- The petitioner was under 21 years of age at the time of the offense (for certain eligible offenses)
- The record resulted from fraudulent behavior of another person
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation. If granted, expungement results in the permanent erasure and destruction of records, rendering them unavailable through standard public records requests. The legal effect of expungement is to treat the offense as if it never occurred.
Individuals seeking expungement must file their petitions with:
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-5300
Petitioners should be aware that expungement differs from sealing of records. Sealed records continue to exist but are removed from public access, while expunged records are permanently destroyed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100T.
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