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Ashby Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ashby, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Ashby, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to governmental records throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including those maintained by municipal agencies in Ashby. The law operates under the presumption that all records created or maintained by government entities are public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law serves several important governmental functions:

Promotes transparency in governmental operations
Ensures accountability of public officials and agencies
Facilitates informed civic participation
Provides citizens with information about law enforcement activities

Certain exemptions to disclosure may apply under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), particularly when release would:

Interfere with active law enforcement investigations
Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Compromise the safety of witnesses or confidential informants
Reveal sensitive intelligence gathering techniques

The Ashby Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's Records Conservation Board.

How to Look Up Ashby Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Ashby have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Town of Ashby has implemented procedures to facilitate public access to these records in compliance with Massachusetts Public Records Law.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests in person at:

Ashby Police Department
893 Main Street
Ashby, MA 01431
Phone: (978) 386-5652
Ashby Police Department

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays

Requestors should be prepared to:

Complete a standard records request form
Provide identification
Specify the records being sought with reasonable particularity
Pay applicable fees for search, retrieval, and copying as permitted under 950 CMR 32.07

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted to:

Ashby Town Clerk's Office
895 Main Street
Ashby, MA 01431
Phone: (978) 386-2424
Town Clerk's Office

Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), the Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days of receipt.

Electronic Requests

The Town of Ashby accepts electronic public records requests through:

The official town website's public records portal
Email to the designated Records Access Officer
Online forms available through the Town Documents section

Statutory fees may apply for electronic records production in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07.

Contents of an Ashby Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Ashby Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and records management regulations. These documents serve as the official record of law enforcement actions taken during the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity.

Standard information contained in Ashby arrest records includes:

Subject identification data:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description
- Residential address
- Identifying numbers (driver's license, state ID)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting officer(s) and badge number(s)
- Agency case number
- Statutory authority for arrest (with or without warrant)
Criminal charges:
- Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section citations
- Classification of offense (felony/misdemeanor)
- Brief narrative of alleged criminal conduct
Processing information:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening documentation
Judicial processing:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Docket number
- Bail or detention determination
- Initial appearance date

The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) regulations govern the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of these records pursuant to 803 CMR 2.00 et seq.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ashby

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Ashby follows the procedures established in M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may petition for expungement of Ashby arrest records when:

The arrest resulted from mistaken identity
The offense has been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest
The petitioner was under 21 at the time of the offense (for certain eligible offenses)
The record resulted from fraudulent use of the petitioner's identity
The court finds that expungement serves justice

Statutory waiting periods apply before expungement may be sought:

For non-conviction records: immediately eligible
For misdemeanor convictions: 3 years after disposition
For felony convictions: 7 years after disposition

Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E, including sex offenses, firearms violations, and offenses against vulnerable persons.

Petition Process

The expungement process requires filing a petition with:

Middlesex County Superior Court
200 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 939-2700

Petitioners must:

Complete the standardized petition form
Provide certified copies of the arrest record
Submit an affidavit explaining grounds for expungement
Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that the statutory criteria for expungement have been satisfied. The District Attorney's Office and Ashby Police Department will receive notice and may appear to contest the petition.

If granted, expungement results in the physical destruction of all records pertaining to the arrest, including electronic records, as specified in M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100T.