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Bedford Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bedford, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Bedford, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that records generated by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to members of the public with certain statutory exceptions. Arrest records fall within the category of public documents as they document official actions taken by government officials in the performance of their duties. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of judicial processes
Providing accountability for governmental actions
Supporting public safety through information dissemination

The Bedford Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols. While certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by law, the fundamental status of arrest records as public documents is established by statute and upheld by Massachusetts courts.

How to Look Up Bedford Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Bedford arrest records may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The Bedford Police Department processes such requests in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law and departmental policies. Available methods include:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests directly at the Bedford Police Department headquarters located at 2 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written Requests: Public records requests may be submitted in writing to the Records Access Officer at the Bedford Police Department. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought.
Online Request Portal: The Bedford Police Department's public records request system allows for electronic submission of requests. This system operates 24 hours per day and provides tracking capabilities for submitted requests.
Middlesex County Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Middlesex County District Court located at 200 Trade Center, Woburn, MA 01801. Court hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), the Records Access Officer must provide records within 10 business days of receipt of a request. Fees may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07.

Contents of a Bedford Arrest Record

Bedford arrest records contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and the Bedford Police Department's operational procedures. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, address, and identifying characteristics
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Offense Information: Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged violations
Arresting Officer Information: Badge number and name of the arresting officer(s)
Booking Documentation: Booking photographs (mugshots), fingerprint records, and personal property inventory
Case Disposition: Initial court appearance information, bail determinations, and preliminary hearing schedules
Incident Narrative: Factual account of the circumstances leading to the arrest
Witness Information: Names and contact details of witnesses (may be redacted in public versions)

The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including facilitating proper case processing, ensuring accurate identification of arrested individuals, and maintaining statistical data for law enforcement purposes. These records are maintained in accordance with the Bedford General Bylaws and state record retention requirements.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Bedford operates within a defined legal framework established by state and local regulations. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10 establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are public unless specifically exempted by law. The statutory framework includes:

Public Records Law: M.G.L. c. 66, § 10 establishes the right of access to public records and sets procedural requirements for requests.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Law: M.G.L. c. 6, §§ 167-178B governs the dissemination of criminal history information and establishes different levels of access based on the requestor's status.
Privacy Protections: Certain information within arrest records may be redacted pursuant to exemptions found in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), including personal privacy exemptions and investigatory materials exemptions.
Bedford Municipal Regulations: Local ordinances and departmental policies further define the procedures for requesting and obtaining arrest records.

The Bedford Police Department, as the custodian of arrest records, is responsible for balancing the public's right to access information with privacy protections afforded by law. This balancing requires case-by-case assessment of records prior to release, with redactions applied as legally required.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, certain statutory and practical limitations exist regarding their accessibility. These limitations serve to protect legitimate governmental interests and individual privacy rights. Specific limitations include:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A-C, records that have been sealed by court order are not available to the general public.
Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A.
Active Investigations: Information that could compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under the investigatory materials exemption.
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as social security numbers, dates of birth, and medical information is typically redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records.
Domestic Violence Cases: Certain information in domestic violence cases may be subject to additional confidentiality provisions under M.G.L. c. 209A.

The Bedford Police Department applies these limitations in accordance with statutory requirements and judicial interpretations. Requestors seeking information subject to these limitations may be required to demonstrate legal authorization for access or may receive redacted versions of the requested records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bedford

Under Massachusetts law, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement represents the complete removal of records from public access and official databases. The legal framework for expungement in Bedford includes:

Statutory Authority: M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-K establishes the criteria and procedures for expungement of criminal records.
Eligibility Criteria: Expungement may be available when:
- The arrest resulted from false identification or the unauthorized use of the petitioner's identity
- The offense has been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest
- The petitioner was under 21 at the time of the offense and meets other statutory requirements
- The record resulted from demonstrable errors by law enforcement or court personnel
Petition Process: Petitions for expungement must be filed with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case was adjudicated.
Judicial Review: A judge must determine that the interests of justice warrant expungement after considering statutory factors.

The Bedford Police Department complies with court-ordered expungements by removing the specified records from all departmental databases and files. Unlike record sealing, which preserves records but limits access, expungement results in the permanent destruction of the specified records.