Springfield Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Springfield, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Springfield, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that records generated by government agencies, including arrest documentation maintained by local law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this legal framework to ensure governmental transparency and accountability in accordance with state regulations. Citizens may access various categories of records maintained by state and municipal agencies, subject to specific exemptions as outlined in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26).
The Springfield Police Department, as a public law enforcement agency, is required to maintain and provide access to arrest records in compliance with state public records statutes. These records document official police actions and serve as an essential component of the criminal justice system's public documentation. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions, the fundamental arrest data remains accessible to interested parties.
How to Look Up Springfield Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Springfield have multiple authorized methods to obtain this information. The following official channels are available for record retrieval:
Visit the Springfield Police Department Records Bureau in person at 130 Pearl Street, Springfield, MA 01105. The Records Bureau maintains operating hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Submit a formal records request through the City of Springfield's public records portal, which processes requests in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10.
Access the Springfield Police Department's online arrest log, which provides chronological documentation of recent arrest activities within the jurisdiction.
Contact the Records Bureau by telephone at (413) 787-6310 to inquire about specific record availability and retrieval procedures.
For state-level cases, the Massachusetts State Police Records Section may be contacted at 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702, or by telephone at (508) 820-2300.
Requestors 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 Massachusetts law, agencies may assess reasonable fees for document reproduction and staff time required to fulfill requests.
Contents of a Springfield Arrest Record
Springfield arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Complete legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or alternative identities
- Date, time, and precise location where the arrest was executed
- Comprehensive listing of criminal charges filed, including applicable Massachusetts General Laws citations
- Identity of the arresting agency and badge numbers of officers involved in the apprehension
- Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing procedures
- Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
- Demographic information including date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address
- Incident report number and associated case documentation references
- Preliminary court appearance information and bail determination
- Custody status following initial processing
The Springfield Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Massachusetts records retention schedules as established by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in compliance with privacy provisions outlined in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Springfield
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U. Individuals who meet qualifying criteria may petition for expungement through established judicial procedures.
Eligibility for expungement in Springfield is generally limited to the following circumstances:
- Cases resulting in no criminal conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, not guilty finding)
- Arrests based on mistaken identity or false accusation
- Convictions that have been formally vacated or overturned on appeal
- Certain juvenile offenses after statutorily defined waiting periods
- Specific offenses eligible under the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act
The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the court of jurisdiction that handled the original case. Petitioners must file Form MLCI-1 (Petition for Expungement) with the appropriate court clerk's office. The court conducts a comprehensive review of the petition, considering factors including:
- Nature of the original offense
- Petitioner's age at time of offense
- Subsequent criminal history
- Time elapsed since the arrest or conviction
- Demonstrated rehabilitation
- Public interest considerations
If granted, expungement results in the physical destruction of records and electronic deletion from databases, effectively removing the arrest from public accessibility. The legal effect of expungement, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100M, permits the individual to respond lawfully that the expunged arrest or conviction never occurred.
Individuals seeking expungement may contact:
Hampden County Superior Court
50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 735-6016
Massachusetts Court System
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