Arlington Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Arlington, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Arlington, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that government-generated records within the Commonwealth, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption of openness, thereby promoting governmental transparency and accountability. Residents and non-residents alike may request and obtain arrest records maintained by the Arlington Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction.
The Commonwealth's commitment to public access is further reinforced by the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Public Records Division, which oversees compliance with disclosure requirements. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with statutory exemptions designed to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or public safety concerns as enumerated in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26).
How to Look Up Arlington Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining Arlington arrest records in 2025. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Arlington maintain several access points through which members of the public may request and retrieve arrest documentation.
In-person requests may be submitted at the Arlington Police Department Records Division. Requestors should be prepared to complete a standard records request form and provide identification.
Arlington Police Department
112 Mystic Street
Arlington, MA 02474
Phone: (781) 643-1212
Arlington Police Department Official Website
Hours of operation for public records requests: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
For records involving state-level cases or incidents that occurred within Arlington but were handled by state authorities, inquiries should be directed to:
Massachusetts State Police Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (508) 820-2300
Massachusetts State Police Official Website
Public records terminals are available at the following locations:
Robbins Library
700 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3200
Robbins Library Official Website
Arlington Town Hall
730 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3000
Arlington Town Hall Official Website
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Arlington Police Department Records Division. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), the records custodian must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees for copies may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07.
Online access to certain arrest record information is available through the Arlington Police Department's public portal. Users must register for an account and may be subject to verification procedures to ensure appropriate access levels.
Contents of an Arlington Arrest Record
Arlington arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These documents typically include:
Subject identification data:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Photograph ("mugshot") taken during booking
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Arrest circumstance information:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory violations and specific charges filed
- Incident report number and cross-reference identifiers
- Arresting officer(s) name and badge number
- Arresting agency jurisdiction information
Post-arrest processing details:
- Booking date and time
- Property inventory taken during intake
- Bail or bond determination and conditions
- Detention facility assignment
- Court appearance scheduling information
- Case disposition status
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, jurisdictional protocols, and case progression through the criminal justice system. Records pertaining to juveniles (persons under 18 years of age) are subject to additional confidentiality protections under M.G.L. Chapter 119, Section 60A, and may not be publicly accessible without judicial authorization.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Arlington
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Arlington, as throughout the Commonwealth, expungement procedures are governed by M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
Time-based requirements: A waiting period of 7 years for felony offenses and 3 years for misdemeanor offenses must elapse from the date of disposition or release from incarceration, whichever occurs later.
Offense limitations: Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including but not limited to:
- Offenses resulting in death or serious bodily injury
- Sexual offenses requiring sex offender registration
- Operating under the influence offenses
- Firearms violations
- Offenses committed against public justice
Prior record considerations: Individuals with more than one criminal case (excluding certain minor offenses) are generally ineligible for expungement.
The expungement petition process requires submission of documentation to the Commissioner of Probation and the court of original jurisdiction. Forms are available at:
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-5300
Massachusetts Probation Service Official Website
Upon receipt of a petition, the court conducts a review to determine eligibility. If granted, an expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies to remove and destroy records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100M, expunged records shall not be considered in any decision-making process, including employment, housing, or licensing determinations.
Alternative remedies for limiting public access to arrest records include sealing under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A, which provides a less comprehensive but more broadly available mechanism for restricting disclosure of criminal history information.
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