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Pelham Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pelham, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Pelham, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations, including those of local law enforcement agencies such as the Pelham Police Department.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26). These exemptions may include personal identifying information such as social security numbers, information that could compromise ongoing investigations, or information that might infringe upon privacy rights of individuals involved.

The custodian of records in Pelham is required by law to respond to public records requests within 10 business days. Requesters may be charged reasonable fees for the reproduction of documents as permitted under 950 CMR 32.07.

How to Look Up Pelham Arrest Records in 2025

The Town of Pelham provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests at the Pelham Police Department, located in the Public Safety Complex at 2 South Valley Road, Pelham, MA 01002. Office hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests submitted to the Records Division of the Pelham Police Department. Such requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Electronic requests through the Town of Pelham's official website, which provides a dedicated portal for public records requests.
Telephone inquiries to the Pelham Police Department's non-emergency line at (413) 253-7129. Staff may provide guidance on the proper procedures for obtaining arrest records.
Access to the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, which requires registration and may involve fees as established by the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, located at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150.

Requesters should note that processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the search required. Pursuant to Massachusetts law, agencies must provide an initial response within 10 business days.

Contents of a Pelham Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Pelham Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances of an arrest. Standard components of these records include:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, and physical description.
Temporal and spatial details of the arrest, including the precise date, time, and geographic location within Pelham where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory citations and narrative descriptions of the alleged criminal offenses that precipitated the arrest, as determined by the arresting officer.
Identification information for all law enforcement personnel involved in the arrest, including names, badge numbers, and departmental affiliations.
Documentation of procedural actions taken during and after the arrest, including Miranda warnings administration, search procedures, and property seizure inventories.
Photographic documentation, commonly referred to as "booking photos," and biometric data including fingerprints collected during the booking process.
Judicial processing information, including court docket numbers, bail or bond determinations, and scheduled court appearance dates.
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released on personal recognizance, posted bail, or remained in custody pending further proceedings.

In accordance with Massachusetts law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including but not limited to juvenile information protected under M.G.L. Chapter 119, Section 60A, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations as provided in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26)(f).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pelham

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A-100C and the CORI Reform Law of 2018.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pelham include:

Cases resulting in no conviction, including dismissals, not guilty findings, nolle prosequi dispositions, or cases where no probable cause was found.
Certain first-time offenses committed by individuals under the age of 21, provided specific statutory requirements are met.
Cases where the arrest resulted from mistaken identity or the unauthorized use of the petitioner's identity.
Offenses that have been decriminalized since the time of arrest, such as certain marijuana possession offenses following the passage of Chapter 334 of the Acts of 2016.

The expungement process requires the submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation using the prescribed form. For arrests that resulted in court proceedings, petitions must be filed with the court of jurisdiction. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the arrest record sought to be expunged
Court docket information if applicable
Affidavit explaining the basis for expungement
Supporting documentation establishing eligibility

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the Commissioner or the Court must hold a hearing within 21 days. If expungement is granted, all records pertaining to the arrest are permanently destroyed pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E.

Residents of Pelham seeking expungement may obtain assistance through the Hampshire County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service at 15 Gothic Street, Suite 10, Northampton, MA 01060, or by calling (413) 586-8729.

Search Arrest Records in Pelham

Pelham Police Department
2 South Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
(413) 253-7129
Pelham Police Department

Town Clerk's Office
351 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
(413) 253-7129
Town of Pelham