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Belchertown Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Belchertown, Massachusetts?

Arrest records in Belchertown, Massachusetts are classified as public information pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes the legal framework for public access to governmental records throughout the Commonwealth. The law specifically designates arrest records as public documents to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to maintain accountability between governmental agencies and the citizenry they serve.

Members of the public may access these records as part of their statutory right to information about governmental proceedings. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all governmental records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. Arrest records maintained by the Belchertown Police Department fall within this category of accessible public information, though certain sensitive details may be redacted in accordance with privacy provisions outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).

The Belchertown Police Department maintains these records in compliance with state regulations governing record retention and public accessibility. Law enforcement agencies are required to preserve the integrity of these documents while simultaneously facilitating reasonable public access in accordance with established protocols.

How to Look Up Belchertown Arrest Records in 2025

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records from the Belchertown jurisdiction. Requesters should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate record retrieval.

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may submit requests directly at the Belchertown Police Department
Valid government-issued identification must be presented
Completion of a standardized Public Records Request Form is required
Processing fees may apply pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(d)

Written Correspondence:

Formal written requests may be submitted via postal mail
Requests must specify the name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number (if known)
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Payment of applicable fees must accompany the request

Electronic Submission:

The Belchertown Police Department accepts digital requests through their official portal
Electronic submissions require the same identifying information as paper requests
Digital payment options are available for associated processing fees
Response times for electronic submissions typically range from 5-10 business days

Belchertown Police Department
70 State Street
Belchertown, MA 01007
Phone: (413) 323-6685
Official Website

Hampshire County District Court
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 584-7400
Official Website

Contents of a Belchertown Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Belchertown Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as the official record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest.

Standard arrest records in Belchertown contain the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, residential address, and physical descriptors of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Massachusetts General Law citations
Arresting Officer Information: Badge number and name of the law enforcement personnel executing the arrest
Booking Documentation: Processing information including fingerprint records and booking photographs
Custody Status: Details regarding detention, bail determination, or release conditions
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system (if available)

Pursuant to the School Resource Officer Program in Belchertown, arrests occurring on school property follow specialized documentation protocols and may contain additional notations regarding educational institution involvement.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts imposes certain statutory limitations on the disclosure of arrest records. These restrictions are designed to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy considerations and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Records subject to restricted access include:

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age) pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations where disclosure could impede law enforcement proceedings
Records containing information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c)
Sealed records pursuant to court order under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A

Law enforcement agencies in Belchertown are authorized to redact certain sensitive information from arrest records prior to public disclosure. This includes:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license information
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information regarding confidential informants
Details that might compromise public safety

Requesters seeking access to restricted records may be required to demonstrate legal standing or obtain a court order authorizing disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Belchertown

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by Belchertown authorities. The expungement process is governed by M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility for expungement in Massachusetts generally requires:

The arrest resulted in no criminal conviction
The offense is eligible for expungement under statutory guidelines
The requisite waiting period has elapsed (typically 3-7 years depending on offense classification)
The petitioner has no subsequent criminal charges pending
The expungement serves the interests of justice

The formal expungement process requires:

Submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation
Payment of prescribed filing fees
Notification to the District Attorney's office
Judicial review of the petition
Issuance of an expungement order if approved

Upon successful expungement, all records pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and official databases. The legal effect of expungement is that the arrest is deemed never to have occurred, and the individual may lawfully deny its existence in most contexts.

Office of the Commissioner of Probation
1 Center Plaza, Suite 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-5300
Official Website

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records maintained by the Belchertown Police Department may be utilized for authorized background screening purposes in accordance with Massachusetts law. The Commonwealth imposes specific regulations governing the use of criminal history information in employment, housing, and licensing contexts.

Authorized uses of arrest record information include:

Pre-employment screening for positions involving public safety or vulnerable populations
Tenant screening for residential property management
Professional licensing determinations
Volunteer vetting for organizations serving youth or vulnerable adults

Entities accessing arrest records for background screening purposes must comply with:

The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law (M.G.L. c. 6, § 172)
Fair Credit Reporting Act provisions when applicable
Anti-discrimination provisions under M.G.L. c. 151B

Employers and housing providers are prohibited from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction except in limited circumstances prescribed by statute. Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties and administrative sanctions.

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