> >Wilbraham Arrest Records

Wilbraham Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wilbraham, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public. The law operates under the presumption that all records maintained by government entities are public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law mandates that custodians of public records must permit inspection and furnish copies of such records upon request. Arrest records maintained by the Wilbraham Police Department fall under this category of public information, allowing citizens and interested parties to access information regarding arrests that have occurred within the town's jurisdiction.

Certain limitations may apply to the disclosure of arrest records in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).

How to Look Up Wilbraham Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking information on arrest records in Wilbraham have several official channels through which such records may be obtained. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:

Visit the Wilbraham Police Department: The primary custodian of arrest records is the Wilbraham Police Department. Individuals may submit a police report request form in person during regular business hours.

Wilbraham Police Department
2780 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Phone: (413) 596-3837
Official Website
Hours: 24 hours (Administrative Office: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

Palmer District Court: Most criminal cases from Wilbraham are processed through the Palmer District Court, where court records related to arrests may be accessed.

Palmer District Court
235 Sykes Street
Palmer, MA 01069
Phone: (413) 283-8916
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Hampden County Superior Court: For more serious offenses, records may be available through the Superior Court.

Hampden County Superior Court
50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 748-7760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Review Dispatch Call Logs: The Wilbraham Police Department maintains public logs of police activities, though these may not include detailed arrest information due to privacy considerations.

Contents of a Wilbraham Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Wilbraham Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts law. These records generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the criminal charges filed
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including processing date and time
Photographic documentation (mugshots) taken during booking
Fingerprint records collected during processing
Custody status information
Case disposition if available

Pursuant to Massachusetts law, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including but not limited to:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Information related to victims of sexual offenses
Information that might compromise ongoing investigations
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information pertaining to juveniles (under 18 years of age)

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Wilbraham is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public right to information with individual privacy concerns. The following statutes and regulations apply:

Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10) establishes the fundamental right of access to government records, including arrest records. Under this statute, custodians of public records must respond to requests within 10 business days.

The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law (M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-178) regulates the dissemination of criminal history information. While CORI primarily governs criminal history records rather than individual arrest records, it establishes important principles regarding access to criminal justice information.

The Massachusetts Fair Information Practices Act (M.G.L. c. 66A) provides additional protections regarding personal data maintained by state agencies, which may impact how certain information in arrest records is handled.

Requesters seeking arrest records may be required to submit written requests and pay reasonable fees for reproduction costs as permitted under 950 CMR 32.07. Current reproduction fees are set at $0.05 per page for black and white copies, with additional fees for certified copies or electronic media.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wilbraham

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process for expungement in Wilbraham follows state procedures and is administered through the court system.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U (as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018), individuals may petition for expungement of records if they meet statutory eligibility requirements. Expungement eligibility generally includes:

Cases where the arrest was due to false identification or the unauthorized use of the petitioner's identity
Offenses that are no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
Cases where the petitioner was under 21 at the time of the offense, subject to waiting periods and other restrictions

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the case, typically the Palmer District Court for Wilbraham arrests. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the arrest record
Court docket information
Statement of grounds for expungement
Supporting documentation as required by statute

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement. The District Attorney's Office has the right to object to the petition. If granted, expungement results in the permanent destruction of all records pertaining to the arrest, including those maintained by the Wilbraham Police Department.

Limitations on Use of Arrest Records

The Town of Wilbraham, in accordance with Massachusetts law, imposes certain restrictions on the use of arrest record information. These limitations are designed to protect individual rights while maintaining public access to information.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(9), employers with six or more employees are prohibited from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction. Additionally, the Massachusetts "Ban the Box" law (M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(9½)) restricts when employers may ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

The use of arrest records for housing decisions is similarly restricted under fair housing laws. Landlords and property managers must exercise caution when using arrest information that did not result in conviction as a basis for housing decisions.

Commercial use of arrest record information is subject to additional regulations, particularly when such information is compiled into databases or used for background screening purposes. Such activities may trigger compliance requirements under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.).

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties, including potential liability under state anti-discrimination laws and consumer protection statutes.