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Westfield Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Westfield, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Westfield, Massachusetts, in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including those maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute, thereby promoting governmental transparency and accountability. Members of the public maintain the right to inspect, obtain copies of, and examine records of arrests made by the Westfield Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within municipal boundaries.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law defines public records broadly to include all documentary materials or data created or received by any officer or employee of any governmental unit, regardless of physical form or characteristics. Pursuant to this definition, arrest logs, booking information, and related documentation fall within the scope of public records subject to disclosure upon request, with certain limitations regarding ongoing investigations or privacy concerns as outlined in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26).

How to Look Up Westfield Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple avenues exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Westfield, Massachusetts. The Commonwealth's commitment to digital governance has expanded accessibility options beyond traditional in-person requests. Individuals may utilize the following methods to obtain arrest record information:

Submit a written request to the Westfield Police Department Records Division at 15 Washington Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the relevant records.
Visit the Westfield Police Department Records Division in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) to complete a records request form. Photo identification may be required for certain requests.
Access the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system through the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) for official criminal history information. CORI requests require specific authorization and are subject to statutory restrictions regarding dissemination.
Utilize the Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access system for information regarding court proceedings related to arrests. This system provides docket information for cases that have been processed through the judicial system.
Contact the Western Massachusetts Regional Police Records Bureau at 413-787-6310 for arrests that may involve multiple jurisdictions within the region.

Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), the custodian of records must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees for copies of records may be assessed in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Supervisor of Public Records.

Contents of a Westfield Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Westfield Police Department and accessible to the public typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records generally include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, address of residence, and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms.
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and notable identifying marks such as tattoos or scars as documented during the booking process.
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including street address or intersection where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory citation and description of the alleged criminal offense(s) for which the individual was arrested.
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during processing at the detention facility.
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking procedure, which are subsequently submitted to state and federal identification databases.
Case number or incident report number assigned to the arrest for administrative tracking purposes.
Preliminary court information, including arraignment date, bail determination, and initial plea if entered at the time of booking.
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released on personal recognizance, posted bail, or remained in custody pending further proceedings.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), particularly information that might compromise ongoing investigations or constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Westfield

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. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure and destruction of records, rendering them unavailable for public access or governmental use. This process differs from record sealing, which merely restricts access to records without destroying them.

Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018, which significantly expanded expungement eligibility in Massachusetts, individuals may petition for expungement of Westfield arrest records under the following circumstances:

The arrest resulted from a demonstrable error by law enforcement or was otherwise made without probable cause.
The arrest pertained to an offense that has been decriminalized subsequent to the date of arrest, such as certain marijuana possession offenses.
The petitioner was under 21 years of age at the time of the offense, and the petition is filed no sooner than three years after disposition of the case, completion of any incarceration, or completion of court supervision, whichever is later.
The record resulted from fraudulent identity use by another person, constituting what is commonly referred to as "identity theft."

The expungement petition process requires submission of standardized forms to the Commissioner of Probation and to the Westfield District Court, located at 224 Main Street, Westfield, MA 01085. The petition must include certified copies of the arrest record sought to be expunged, government-issued identification, and any supporting documentation substantiating the grounds for expungement.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court shall conduct a hearing within 21 days, during which the District Attorney's Office may present objections. The court will consider factors including the petitioner's age at the time of the offense, the time elapsed since the offense, and the nature of the offense in determining whether expungement serves justice.

If granted, an expungement order requires all records of the arrest to be permanently destroyed by all criminal justice agencies, including the Westfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Office of the Commissioner of Probation. Following expungement, the individual may respond to inquiries regarding the arrest as though it never occurred, with certain limited exceptions for law enforcement purposes.

Search Arrest Records in Westfield

Westfield Police Department
15 Washington Street
Westfield, MA 01085
(413) 562-5411
Official Website

Westfield District Court
224 Main Street
Westfield, MA 01085
(413) 579-3000
Official Website

Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Official Website